Gavin Creel in Mary Poppins?

[directorkid]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 4:52pm

Does anyone know why Gavin Creel didn't do the role in Mary Poppins in New York? Will he come over to replace Gavin Lee?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 4:55pm

He auditioned like everyone else, in New York, and he thought he was auditioning for the Broadway version. But, when they offered him the London version, he just took it.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 4:59pm

It actually was an Equity exchange -- Broadway wanted one of the original London stars, so in order to allow Gavin Lee to play the role on Broadway, the Brits took in our Gavin Creel.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 5:13pm

Will he come over to replace Gavin Lee?

He already did. he took over the role in London when Gavin Lee left.

[carymetorent2]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 5:40pm

I think they meant will he ever come replace Gavin Lee in New York.
As much as I enjoy Gavin Lee, I would love to see Creel do it in the future, so here's to hoping!

[gumbo2]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 5:44pm

I saw Gavin Creel in London, in his first week with the show, I think. He was fantastic, even if the songs were a bit low for him.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 5:46pm

is it just me or does it seem like the Brits got the better end of that deal?

[directorkid]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 5:49pm

yeah i'm a huge fan of creel's work as well! i was asking whether he would come over to new york to replace lee. here's to hoping!

[ChildofDestiny]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 5:54pm

Brody, what's your source? I was curious too about how this all went down but I thought I read in the recent story about Mr. Lee on Broadway.com that his wife is American. Doesn't that mean there didn't need to be an Equity exchange? Maybe I'm wrong, but...?

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 6:20pm

I'm pretty sure it was an exchange...the producers wanted Lee in NY, and they replaced him with an American...all arrows point to Equity exchange...

Also, it may depend on if his wife is now a British citizen, etc.

[ChildofDestiny]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:33pm

Phantom are you just guessing too?

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 9:35pm

I am but I'm not...

They never made an official statement, but I think it's safe to say...

In the BWW video, Creel says they wanted Lee, so they brought him over...that's the closest thing I've got for eveidence.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:28pm

Cats- Lee is EXCeLLENT. Just brilliant as Bert

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:37pm

ChildofDestiny...his wife being 'American' has nothing to do with American and British Equity requirements. It's not a VISA or anything governmental.

American Equity protects American actors; British Equity protects British actors. Problems always arise when a British actor is being considered for a role on Broadway (US), and vice-versa. It's not as simple as just hiring the actor and that's it.

As for the Gavin Lee/Creel exchange. I got this info from Jennifer, a good friend of Gavin's. My response to that was "...ah, that makes sense".

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 11/2/06 at 10:52pm

is it just me or does it seem like the Brits got the better end of that deal?

Cats it is just you because you are WRONG on every level.

[theaterdude87]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 12:42am

he may do it in the future. but gavin (creel) is a hot bway actor. he could easily get another project after this.

[kec]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 3:00am

Does anyone know how long Gavin Creel will be in the London production?

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 3:32am

I hope Gavin Creel will stay long... he's just had his first cast change.
Just random but if one doesnt know, Lee's wife is the talented Ms Jo Gibb (rumpleteazer in Cats film)

[Hanna from Hamburg]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 12:04pm

Gavin Creel was JUST ADORABLE in his BWW video. He seems like such a sweetheart. I wouldn't be surprised if he moved into the role on Broadway when Gavin Lee leaves.

[Practically Perfect]

Posted: 11/3/06 at 12:17pm

ruthiefan_felix - the cast change for the London production is tomorrow night, and Gavin Lee is married to a lady called Emily Harvey, who was in Phantom of the Opera in the West End for a while as Mme Firmin.

Mary P x

[snl89]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 2:32pm

I def, DEF want him to come and do Poppins on broadway when he's done in London. He is SO ADORABLE! seriously, the bww video was one of the cutest things ever hehe. And his voice is just... yumm :P (as is he looks wise. And I'm lovin' the new haircut too- ah!)

[KChenowethfan]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 2:45pm

I saw Gavin Creel in the West End production in August. I haven't seen Gavin Lee, but the West End audience isn't suffering with their current Bert. He was great.

[ThankstoPhantom]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 3:16pm

He's contracted through either June or July 2007 I believe.

[kec]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 4:04pm

Vielen Dank, Thanks to Phantom! Just what I was hoping to find out.

[TWSFan4Ever]

Posted: 11/4/06 at 5:51pm

May be a little off topic, but he sure does have his British accent down!