Steve On Broadway (SOB)

Gavin Creel's World Turned Upside-Down by Mary Poppins

Gavin Creel's World Turned Upside-Down by Mary Poppins

Starting tonight, Ohio native Gavin Creel takes to the rooftops of London as cockney Bert in the unbelievably excellent Olivier Award-winning production of Mary Poppins. Creel is making his West End debut, and right about the moment I am writing this, I'm imagining him dancing upside-down, thanks to Matthew Bourne's breathtaking choreography.

I've truly enjoyed watching the rise of this budding star. Not only did I see Creel's Tony-nominated work in the thoroughly enjoyable Thoroughly Modern Millie back in 2002, but I was also among the relatively few who had a chance to see him in the world premiere of the short-lived Stephen Sondheim/John Weidman musical Bounce opposite Richard Kind and Howard McGillin at Chicago's Goodman Theatre in August of 2003.

As regular readers may recall, Mary Poppins ranks as my absolute favorite show of the 2004-05 Theatrical Season, but La Cage Aux Folles -- the second regular Broadway show to feature Creel and winner of the 2005 Tony for Best Revival of a Musical -- was on my honorable mention list for the same year. I'm pleased to see Creel take on this exciting role. To learn more about Creel's first-hand experience, you may want to visit his official blog.

Perhaps once Gavin Lee -- who originated the role of Bert in London -- concludes his upcoming run in the stateside version of Mary Poppins, the American Gavin might make a triumphant and welcome return to the Great White Way as the world's favorite chimney sweep.

This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).

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Related Stories:
Rejoice! Gavin Lee to Cross Atlantic for Mary Poppins on Broadway (May 8, 2006)
Flashback: Best of 2004-05 (May 26, 2006)
Disney Moves from Continent to Continent (May 22, 2006)

Labels: Bounce, Film, Gavin Creel, La Cage Aux Folles, London, Mary Poppins, Musical, Stephen Sondheim, Thoroughly Modern Millie

posted by Steve On Broadway (SOB) @ Wednesday, July 26, 2006