To celebrate the life and numerous talents of Tony and Olivier winner Gavin Creel, who passed away in September at the age of 48, the Metropolitan Museum of Art has released a video of Creel's 2021 concert of Walk On Through, the late actor's love letter to the famed museum.
Recorded October 25, 2021, in The Grace Rainey Rogers Auditorium, the performance—featuring songs composed and performed by Creel—was directed by Linda Goodrich. Vocalists also included Audrey Rose Young, Brandon Pearson, and Ryan Vasquez, who were backed by Justin Mendoza on piano, Madeline Smith on keyboards, Meg Toohey on guitars, Dominic Dorset on mandolin, violin, and percussion, Chris Peters on acoustic guitar, Sherisse Rogers on bass, and Marques Walls on drums. Many of the musicians also contributed vocals. Watch the complete concert in the video above.
In November 2023 MCC Theater subsequently presented the acclaimed world premiere of Creel's Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, which completed a multi-extended run at the Off-Broadway company's Susan & Ronal Frankel Theater January 7, 2024.
Inspired by Creel's time wandering the collections at The Met, the Off-Broadway production featured 17 original songs written by Broadway favorite Creel, who made his theatrical songwriting debut with the staging. Creel had previously released albums featuring his pop songwriting, including 2006's Goodtimenation and 2012's Get Out.
The Hello, Dolly! Tony winner also starred in the Off-Broadway production, alongside Sasha Allen, Madeline Benson, Chris Peters, Ryan Vasquez, and Scott Wasserman.
In a 2023 interview with Playbill, the multitalented Creel spoke about the genesis of Walk On Through, explaining, "[The Met] sent me my new membership card, and I thought, ‘Okay, this is real.’ They said, ‘Observe the art, create a piece, and don’t think too hard.’ And I thought, ‘Have you met Gavin Creel?’”
There will be a public memorial for Creel December 2, with MCC Theater and every Broadway theatre dimming the lights for the late actor December 3.
Gavin Creel and Sasha Allen in Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice
Ryan Vasquez in Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice
Madeline Benson, Gavin Creel, and Chris Peters in Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice
Madeline Benson in Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice
Gavin Creel in Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice
Gavin Creel in Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice
Gavin Creel in Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice
Gavin Creel and Ryan Vasquez in Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice
Gavin Creel and Ryan Vasquez in Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice
Gavin Creel and Chris Peters in Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice
Chris Peters in Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice
