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Gavin Creel

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Gavin Creel
Creel at the 21st GLAAD Media Awards in 2010
Born
Gavin James Creel

(1976-04-18)April 18, 1976
Findlay, Ohio, U.S.
DiedSeptember 30, 2024(2024-09-30) (aged 48)
New York City, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Michigan (BFA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • songwriter
  • librettist
  • producer
Years active1997–2024
Musical career
Genres
  • Pop
  • musical
Instrument
  • Vocals
Websitewww.gavincreel.com

Gavin James Creel (April 18, 1976 – September 30, 2024) was an American actor, singer, and songwriter best known for his work in musical theater. Over his career he received a Grammy Award, a Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award and a Laurence Olivier Award.

Creel made his Broadway debut in 2002 in the leading role of Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie before starring as Claude in the 2009 Broadway revival of Hair, both Tony Award–nominated performances. From 2012 to 2015, he starred as Elder Price in The Book of Mormon; he received a Laurence Olivier Award for originating the role in the West End version of the musical and played the role in the U.S. National Tour and on Broadway. He received a Tony Award in 2017 for his performance as Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly! on Broadway.

Creel's other stage credits include La Cage aux Folles (2004), She Loves Me (2016), Waitress (2019), and Into the Woods (2022) on Broadway; Mary Poppins (2006), Hair (2010) and Waitress (2020) in the West End; and the national tours of Fame (1998) and Into the Woods (2023). Primarily a theater actor, his most notable screen acting role is as Bill in Eloise at the Plaza and its Christmas-themed sequel.

Early life and education

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Creel was born in Findlay, Ohio, on April 18, 1976.[1] He was raised in a devoutly religious environment which he found highly alienating, and was drawn to theater as a way to escape it.[1] He attended Findlay High School, graduating in 1994. He received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance in 1998.[2]

Career

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1997–2001: Early career

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Creel began his professional career in regional theater. Some of his earliest credits are as part of the resident cast of Pittsburgh CLO, a repertory theater, for their 1997 and 1998 seasons; mostly ensemble roles, some of his eight productions there included Kiss Me Kate, La Cage aux Folles, and On the Town.[3]

Following college graduation, Creel played Nick Piazza in the opening cast of 1998 national tour of Fame.[4] In 1998–1999, the tour performed in cities including Toronto, Washington, D.C., and Chicago.[5] Following the tour, he continued to perform in regional theater before moving to New York City in the early 2000s. In 2001, he was the swing in the original off-Broadway production of Bat Boy: The Musical.[4] He also took part in the 2001 workshop of Spring Awakening.[6]

2002–2012: Broadway debut and breakthrough

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In 2002, Creel made his Broadway debut in the original production Thoroughly Modern Millie, originating the role of Jimmy Smith opposite Sutton Foster's Millie Dillmount. A breakthrough performance, he was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. In February 2003, Creel played Prince Eric in a workshop for Disney's stage adaptation of The Little Mermaid.[7] After he departed Thoroughly Modern Millie in April 2003, he performed in the original Chicago production of Stephen Sondheim's Road Show, then titled Bounce, recorded the original cast album for Bright Lights, Big City, among other productions and workshops.[6] Of note, he made his screen acting debut in the 2003 film Eloise at the Plaza and its follow-up Eloise at Christmastime as Bill.[8]

He returned to Broadway in 2004 in the revival La Cage aux Folles. He played Jean-Michel throughout the production. In 2006, he made his West End debut in Mary Poppins. He replaced as Bert in the original production. Also in 2006, he released his debut studio album Goodtimenation. In 2008, Creel was set to star as Jesus alongside Joshua Henry as Judas/John the Baptist and Diana DeGarmo in a Broadway revival of Godspell at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, but on August 19, it was announced that the show was postponed indefinitely due to the loss of an investor.[9] He returned to Broadway in 2009 in the revival of Hair. For his starring role of Claude, he received his second Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. He and the rest of the cast performed in London through 2010 when the production transferred to the West End.[4] Following Hair, he starred in the world premiere of Prometheus Bound at the American Repertory Theater.[10]

2012–2024: Continued theater roles

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From 2012 until 2015, Creel starred in a series of productions of The Book of Mormon. He first starred as Elder Price in the First National Tour of the show in 2012. He subsequently originated the role in the musical's original West End production; for this performance, he was awarded Best Actor in a Musical at the 2014 Laurence Olivier Awards, the most prestigious theatrical awards in the United Kingdom.[4] Following his West End run, he returned to the touring production for a number of months before joining the Broadway cast in 2015.[11]

Creel played the suave salesman Steven Kodaly, opposite Jane Krakowski, in the 2016 Broadway revival of She Loves Me. The show was a critical success and the production became the first Broadway show ever to be live-streamed. Since then, the recording has been part of the PBS series Great Performances.[12]

In 2017, he began playing Cornelius Hackl in the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! starring Bette Midler. For his role, Creel was awarded the 2017 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. In 2019, Creel assumed the role of Dr. Pomatter in the Broadway production of Waitress. He subsequently played the role in the West End production of the musical starring alongside Sara Bareilles.[13]

In 2021, Creel appeared in two episodes of American Horror Stories opposite Matt Bomer and Sierra McCormick on FX on Hulu.[14] On August 29, 2021, Creel was featured in the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) network's aired concert for the musical Wicked which was hosted by Kristin Chenoweth and Idina Menzel. Other featured artists were Rita Moreno, Cynthia Erivo, Ariana DeBose, Ali Stroker, Amber Riley, Mario Cantone, Jennifer Nettles, Stephanie Hsu, Alex Newell, Isaac Cole Powell, and Gabrielle Ruiz performing many of the musical's numbers.[15]

In May 2022, Creel appeared as The Wolf and Cinderella's Prince in the New York City Center Encores! production and subsequent Broadway revival in June of Into the Woods.[16] He left the production July 23 for two weeks and was filled in for by Cheyenne Jackson and understudy Jason Forbach.[17] He came back for a month and then left again on September 4 for 10 days and was filled in for by Andy Karl,[18] He returned to the production September 16 and stayed with the cast through its closing date January 8, 2023. During the Broadway run he would star opposite Bareilles, Karl, Joshua Henry, Phillipa Soo, Brian d'Arcy James, Patina Miller, Stephanie J. Block, Krysta Rodriguez, Denée Benton, Julia Lester, Sebastian Arcelus, Montego Glover, Diane Phelan, and Joaquina Kalukango.[19] He reprised these roles in the 2023 national tour opposite Glover, Block, Arcelus, Forbach, Phelan, Rodriguez, and Karl.[20][21]

The first time Creel performed a song from his self written musical was at Elsie Fest in 2019, where he debuted the song "The Only One".[22] In 2021, Creel performed two shows of a self-described 'concert-cal' called Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, for which Creel was commissioned to write and perform the book, music, and lyrics by the Metropolitan Museum of Art.[23] In December 2022, two industry readings of Walk on Through were held at Pershing Square Signature Theatre Center.[24] Creel spoke at length about working on this piece before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] It had its world premiere Off-Broadway in November 2023, running from November 13 to January 7, 2024.[25]

Personal life and death

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Creel was gay and was heavily involved in gay rights activism.[1][26] He was one of the founders, with Rory O'Malley and Jenny Kanelos, of Broadway Impact, an LGBT activist group that mobilized the New York theatre community in the pursuit of marriage equality.[27] He was also a regular on the LGBT RFamilyVacations cruise with Rosie O'Donnell.[28] In 2009, Creel dated fellow actor Jonathan Groff.[29] He also dated actor Henry Gottfried for several years, whom he mentioned in his Tony acceptance speech. At the time of his death, he was in a relationship with Alex Temple Ward.[1]

Creel divided his time between residences on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and in Carmel, New York.[1][30]

Creel took a temporary leave from Hello, Dolly! in March 2018 to recover from back surgery.[31]

In July 2024, Creel was diagnosed with metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.[1] He died from the disease under hospice care at his home in Manhattan on September 30, 2024, at the age of 48.[1][32][33] Numerous actors who had worked with Creel publicly paid tribute to him.[34] Theaters in Toronto, the West End and on Broadway announced that they will dim their lights as a tribute to Creel.[35][36][37] A candlelight vigil was also held in Creel's memory in London, at the Actors' Church in Covent Garden.[37]

Acting credits

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Theatre

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Adapted from About The Artists and Broadway World.[3][38]

Year Show Role Venue Ref.
1997 Chess Ensemble Benedum Center
1998 A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Hero North Shore Music Theatre
1998–1999 Fame Nick Piazza The North American Tour
2000 Honk! Ugly North Shore Music Theatre
Helen Hayes Performing Arts Center
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Hero California Musical Theatre
2001 The Flood Male Lead Prospect Theatre Company
Hair Principal/Father/Tribe Encores! Concert
Bat Boy: The Musical Rick / Dillon / Lorraine
/ Pan / Bud / Daisy 		Union Square Theatre, Off-Broadway
Spring Awakening Melchior Gabor Roundabout Theatre Company Workshop
2002 Wicked Boq New York Workshop
2002–2003 Thoroughly Modern Millie Jimmy Smith Marquis Theatre, Broadway
2003 The Little Mermaid Prince Eric New York Workshop
Bounce Hollis Bessemer Albert Ivar Goodman Theatre, Chicago
Kennedy Center
Bright Lights, Big City Michael New York Concert
2004 A Tale of Two Cities Charles Darnay Workshop
The Mystery Plays Joe Manning Second Stage Theatre
Yale Repertory Theater [39]
Illyria Sebastian Prospect Theatre
Hair Performer New Amsterdam Theatre, Actors' Fund Concert
2004–2005 La Cage aux Folles Jean-Michel Marquis Theatre, Broadway revival
2006 Mary Poppins Bert (replacement) Prince Edward Theatre, West End [40][41]
2009–2010 Hair Claude Hooper Bukowski Al Hirschfeld Theatre, Broadway
Gielgud Theatre, West End
2011 Prometheus Bound Prometheus American Repertory Theater
She Loves Me Steven Kodaly Stephen Sondheim Theatre, Concert
2012 Flashdance Nick Hurley US National Tour
2012–2013 The Book of Mormon Elder Price US National Tour
2013–2014 Prince of Wales Theatre, West End
2014 US National Tour / Toronto
2015–2016 Eugene O'Neill Theatre, Broadway [42]
2016 She Loves Me Steven Kodaly Studio 54, Broadway [43]
2017–2018 Hello, Dolly! Cornelius Hackl Shubert Theatre, Broadway [44]
2018 Thoroughly Modern Millie Jimmy Smith Minskoff Theatre, Broadway
2019 Waitress Dr. Jim Pomatter
(replacement) 		Brooks Atkinson Theatre, Broadway [45]
2020 Adelphi Theatre, West End
2021 Walk on Through:
Confessions of a Museum Novice 		Performer
also creator/songwriter 		The Met Museum
2022 Eugene O'Neill Theater Center
Pershing Square Signature Center
2022 Into the Woods The Wolf / Cinderella's Prince New York City Center, Encores!
2022–2023 St. James Theatre, Broadway [46]
2023 The U.S. National Tour
Walk on Through:
Confessions of a Museum Novice 		Performer
also creator/songwriter 		Kennedy Center
2023–2024 MCC Theater, Off-Broadway

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2003 Eloise at the Plaza Bill Television film
Eloise at Christmastime Television film
2016 She Loves Me Kodaly Filmed Broadway show
2019 Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure Matthews (voice) 4 episodes
2021 American Horror Stories Troy Miniseries; 2 episodes
Central Park Young Hank Zevansky (voice) Episode: "The Shadow"
Wicked in Concert Performer PBS special

Other works

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  • 2016: The Ceiling Fan (producer) • short film

Discography

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Performing at the Ryles Jazz Club in Boston, Massachusetts, in 2010

Solo discography

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Albums
  • 2006: Goodtimenation (Creel/Roth)
  • 2012: Get Out (self-released)
EPs
Singles
  • 2011: "Noise (Equality Now)"
  • 2012: "Whitney Houston"
Guest appearances
  • 2002: "Lullaby of Broadway" with Marc Kudisch & David Nehls from Broadway Romances Manhattan
  • 2005: "'Til Then" from ZEITGEIST by Dan Lipton
  • 2007: "Young at Heart" from Over the Rainbow (Universal)
  • 2010: "Greenwich Time" from Love on a Summer Afternoon: Songs of Sam Davis (PS Classics)
  • 2017: "Christmas Broadway Bus Stop" with Laura Bell Bundy & Eden Espinosa
  • 2019: "Do You Hear the Bells?" with The Laurie Berkner Band from Waiting for the Elevator
  • 2020: "Witchcraft/I Put a Spell on You" from I Put a Spell on You (Broadway Records)
  • 2020: "If It Be Your Will" with Shoshana Bean & Shayna Steele from Sing Your Hallelujah (Shotime Records)
  • 2021: "Something Wonderful" from R&H Goes Pop!
  • 2021: "A Moment Forever Ago" from Central Park Season Two, The Soundtrack

Cast recordings

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Source:[48]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2002 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical Thoroughly Modern Millie Nominated [49]
2009 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical Hair Nominated [50]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [51]
2010 GLAAD Media Award Special Recognition Award (shared with cast) Honoree [52]
2014 Laurence Olivier Award Best Actor in a Musical The Book of Mormon Won [53]
WhatsOnStage Award Best Actor in a Musical Won [54]
2017 Tony Award Best Featured Actor in a Musical Hello, Dolly! Won [55]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Won [56]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Won [57]
2023 Grammy Awards Best Musical Theater Album Into the Woods Won [58]
Elliot Norton Awards Outstanding Visiting Performance in a Musical Won [59]
Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards Favorite Featured Actor in a Musical Won [60]
Favorite Onstage Pair (with Joshua Henry) Nominated
Favorite Funny Performance Nominated

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Paulson, Michael (September 30, 2024). "Gavin Creel, Tony-Winning Musical Theater Actor, Dies at 48". The New York Times. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  2. ^ "Broadway Actor And Findlay Native Gavin Creel Dies – WFIN Local News". wfin.com. September 30, 2024.
  3. ^ a b "Gavin Creel theatre profile". abouttheartists.com. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  4. ^ a b c d "Stars On Stage – Gavin Creel". newyorktheatreguide.com. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  5. ^ "Fame – Broadway Musical – Tour | IBDB". www.ibdb.com. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Gavin Creel". The Official Masterworks Broadway Site. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  7. ^ Little Mermaid workshop
  8. ^ Simonson, Robert. "Andrews, Monk, Baranski, Creel Star in ABC's "Eloise at the Plaza" April 27". Playbill. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  9. ^ "Broadway Revival of Godspell Postponed". Playbill. Archived from the original on February 24, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  10. ^ Zezima, Katie (March 7, 2011). "He May Be Bound, but This Prometheus Still Manages to Rock". The New York Times. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  11. ^ Voss, Brandon (December 5, 2014). "Gavin Creel Will Return to Broadway in 'The Book of Mormon'". The Advoctae. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  12. ^ "She Loves Me ~ About She Loves Me | Great Performances | PBS". Great Performances. September 28, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  13. ^ Gans, Andrew (March 13, 2020). "Sara Bareilles and Gavin Creel Will Depart London Cast of Waitress Early". Playbill. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  14. ^ Sullivan, Lindsey (August 1, 2021). "Aaron Tveit, Gavin Creel & More Announced for Ryan Murphy's American Horror Stories". Broadway.com. Retrieved August 1, 2021.
  15. ^ "Kristin Chenoweth & Idina Menzel to Host 'Wicked in Concert' PBS Special; Full Cast Announced". August 5, 2021.
  16. ^ Wild, Stephi. "Meet the New, Broadway-Bound Cast of INTO THE WOODS". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved September 30, 2022.
  17. ^ Gordon, David (July 12, 2022). "Cheyenne Jackson, Jason Forbach to Fill In for Gavin Creel in Into the Woods on Broadway". TheaterMania. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  18. ^ Hall, Margaret (August 12, 2022). "Stephanie J. Block, Sebastian Arcelus, Krysta Rodriguez, Montego Glover, More to Join Broadway's Into the Woods". Playbill.
  19. ^ "Into the Woods 2022–23". Playbill. Retrieved January 11, 2023.
  20. ^ Harms, Talaura. "Broadway's Into the Woods Revival Will Journey Across the U.S. On Tour". Playbill. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  21. ^ Wild, Stephi (January 17, 2023). "Complete Cast and Additional Cities Announced For 'Into The Woods' Tour". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  22. ^ Gavin Creel — "The Only One" from Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice at Elsie Fest, October 8, 2019, retrieved November 13, 2023
  23. ^ "Gavin Creel: Walk on Through | The Metropolitan Museum of Art". engage.metmuseum.org. Retrieved October 25, 2022.
  24. ^ "WALK ON THROUGH: Confessions of a Museum Novice". WALK ON THROUGH: Confessions of a Museum Novice. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  25. ^ "Gavin Creel Musical, World Premiere From Jason Robert Brown, More Headed to MCC Theater". Playbill.
  26. ^ "Millie and Hair Star Gavin Creel on Coming Out, Making 'Noise' and Dreaming of a Hippie Heaven". Broadway.com. January 16, 2013. Archived from the original on June 18, 2013.
  27. ^ Dwiggins, Margaret (September 16, 2014). "Creel excited to be returning to northwestern Ohio". The Courier. Findlay, Ohio. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved June 14, 2017.
  28. ^ Gans, Andrew (March 15, 2008). "All Aboard!: 'Rosie' Cruise, with Murney, Creel and Rudetsky, Departs March 15". Playbill. Archived from the original on June 23, 2008.
  29. ^ Sessums, Kevin (December 20, 2016). "Jonathan Groff Talks Looking, Hamilton, and Madonna's iPhone". FourTwoNine. Archived from the original on October 14, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
  30. ^ Shattuck, Kathryn (October 17, 2021). "Gavin Creel Lets His Imagination Dance". The New York Times. p. AR4. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  31. ^ Clement, Olivia (February 21, 2018). "Santino Fontana to Step Into 'Hello, Dolly!' on Broadway". Playbill. Archived from the original on February 22, 2018. Retrieved January 27, 2022.
  32. ^ "Gavin Creel, Tony-Winning Broadway Actor, Dies at 48". The Wrap. September 30, 2024. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  33. ^ Higgins, Molly (September 30, 2024). "Tony-Winning Actor Gavin Creel Passes Away at 48". Playbill. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  34. ^ "Gavin Creel: American Horror Story and Broadway star Gavin Creel dies at 48". BBC News. October 1, 2024. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  35. ^ "West End theatres to dim lights for Gavin Creel". The Stage. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  36. ^ Evans, Greg (October 4, 2024). "Broadway To Dim Lights At Select Theaters For Gavin Creel As Community Continues To Reel From Shocking Death". Deadline. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  37. ^ a b "Gavin Creel: Candlelit vigil planned in London; Broadway & West End theatres to dim lights [Updated]". WestEndTheatre.com. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
  38. ^ "Gavin Creel Theatre Credits, News, Bio and Photos". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved July 26, 2021.
  39. ^ Hernandez, Ernio. "Gavin Creel Starts in The Mystery Plays at Second Stage's New Plays Uptown, June 21". Playbill. Archived from the original on April 18, 2014. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  40. ^ Portantiere, Michael (June 16, 2006). "Gavin Creel to Play Bert in London Production of Mary Poppins". theatermania.com. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011.
  41. ^ Gans, Andrew (July 26, 2006). "Gavin Creel Joins London Company of 'Mary Poppins' July 26". Playbill. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018.
  42. ^ "The Book of Mormon (Broadway, 2015)". Playbill. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  43. ^ "She Loves Me (Broadway, 2016)". Playbill. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  44. ^ "Hello, Dolly! (Broadway, 2018)". e Playbill. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  45. ^ "Waitress (Broadway, 2019)". Playbill. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  46. ^ "Into the Woods (Broadway, 2022)". Playbill. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  47. ^ Trust, Gary (July 1, 2010). "Chart Beat Thursday: Eminem, Jason Derulo, Cyndi Lauper". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  48. ^ "Gavin Creel Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More..." AllMusic. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  49. ^ "The Tony Award Nominations 2002". American Theater Wing. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  50. ^ "The Tony Award Nominations 2009". American Theater Wing. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  51. ^ "The Drama League Awards: 2009". About the artists. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  52. ^ Finke, Nikki (January 13, 2010). "21st GLAAD Media Awards Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  53. ^ Brown, Mark (April 14, 2014). "Olivier awards 2014: Almeida theatre defeats West End giants". The Guardian. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  54. ^ Kennedy, Maev (February 23, 2014). "Daniel Radcliffe wins WhatsOnStage best actor award". The Guardian. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  55. ^ "The Tony Award Nominations 2017". American Theater Wing. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  56. ^ Cox, Gordon (June 5, 2017). "Drama Desk Awards 2017: Bette Midler, 'Oslo' Take Top Honors (Full List)". Variety. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  57. ^ Cox, Gordon (May 8, 2017). "'Hello, Dolly!' and 'Come From Away' Lead Outer Critics Circle Awards (Full List)". Variety. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  58. ^ "2023 Grammy Awards: The full list of nominees and winners". NPR. February 5, 2023. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  59. ^ Sinclair, Jacquinn (May 8, 2023). "Elliot Norton Awards embrace 'K-I-S-S-I-N-G,' SpeakEasy, Huntington, Front Porch". Wbur. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  60. ^ Fierberg, Ruthie (May 24, 2023). "'Into the Woods' leads winners of 2023 Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards". Broadway News. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
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