Theater Update: Gavin Creel, an award-winning actor, has died

Sarah Snook and Andrew Scott to perform in New York

View in browser|nytimes.com October 2, 2024 Dear Theater Fans, The news on Monday of Gavin Creel's death, at the age of 48, came as a shock. As Michael Paulson wrote in the obituary, Creel was "a sly and charming musical theater actor" who won a Tony Award for "Hello, Dolly!" in 2017. (That Tony, he told The San Francisco Chronicle, "felt like a hug from the community I've been in for 20 years.") Creel also recorded music and sang at concerts; one of his more memorable performances was a duet of "Take Me or Leave Me" with Aaron Tveit, for MCC's annual fund-raiser, Miscast. Of the three Broadway shows that opened this week, Jesse Green made two of them Critic's Picks: "Yellow Face," a revival of David Henry Hwang's 2007 play, and "The Hills of California," Jez Butterworth's latest. The third, Ayad Akhtar's timely new play about A.I., "McNeal," starring Robert Downey Jr., "works only as provocation," Jesse wrote. Hannah Gadsby's new show, "Woof!," is running through Oct. 27 at the Abrons Arts Center in Manhattan. Our critic Houman Barekat, who saw the show this summer at Edinburgh Festival Fringe, called it "a chill affair" that finds Gadsby taking "acerbic pot shots at Taylor Swift," offering "risqué material about the sex lives of lesbian soccer players" and reflecting "on the mental health implications of baring your soul to earn a living." Please reach out to me at theaterfeedback@nytimes.com with suggestions for stories or to offer your thoughts about our coverage. And urge your friends to subscribe to this newsletter. Have a wonderful week, Nicole Herrington Theater Editor Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Gavin Creel, Tony-Winning Musical Theater Actor, Dies at 48 He won the award playing a Yonkers feed store clerk in "Hello, Dolly!" and was also nominated for roles in "Thoroughly Modern Millie" and "Hair." By Michael Paulson Like this email? Forward it to your friends, and let them know they can sign up here. FEATURES Scott Rossi for The New York Times Laura Donnelly, 'Hills of California' Star, Is Not Some Delicate Flower But she did "burst into tears" reading Jez Butterworth's rewrite of his new Broadway play, which left her with 10 days "to create an entirely new character." By Laura Collins-Hughes Evelyn Freja for The New York Times 'Titaníque' Was Her Big Hit. Is 'Big Gay Jamboree' Really Her Swan Song? Two years after debuting the "Titanic" parody, Marla Mindelle says her new show, with Margot Robbie as a producer, may be her last as an actor. By Juan A. Ramírez BROADWAY AND OFF BROADWAY NEWS Marc Brenner Sarah Snook to Make Broadway Debut in One-Woman 'Dorian Gray' The "Succession" actress will play all 26 characters in a stage production of the Oscar Wilde novel. By Michael Paulson Sara Krulwich/The New York Times 'Water for Elephants' to Close on Broadway The musical, based on the best-selling novel, featured dazzling acrobatics and puppetry. Its final performance will be Dec. 8. By Michael Paulson Matt Crockett Musical Comedy 'Operation Mincemeat' to Open on Broadway Next Spring The show is about a real World War II episode in which British intelligence planted disinformation on a dead body to fool the Germans. By Michael Paulson Richard Shotwell/Invision, via Associated Press Andrew Scott Will Perform One-Man 'Vanya' Off Broadway Next Spring The Olivier Award-winning revival, in which the actor plays all of the parts, is to begin previews March 11 at the Lucille Lortel Theater. By Michael Paulson FROM THE CRITICS Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Critic's Pick Review: Daniel Dae Kim as a Playwright Unmasked in 'Yellow Face' David Henry Hwang's 2007 play, now in a fine Broadway revival, is a pointed critique of identity, masquerading as a mockumentary. By Jesse Green Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Theater Review Robert Downey Jr. Is a Novelist With a Novel Muse in 'McNeal' The "Oppenheimer" star makes his Broadway debut in Ayad Akhtar's timely new play about a literary lion who gets assistance from A.I. By Jesse Green Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Critic's Pick Review: 'The Hills of California,' Alive With the Sound of Music In Jez Butterworth's compelling new play, four girls trained to sing close harmony wind up as acrimonious adults. By Jesse Green Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Review: 'Good Bones,' but Not Fleshed Out A new play from James Ijames, who won a Pulitzer for his "Fat Ham," has intriguing ideas about identity and community that never fully take shape. By Maya Phillips Manuel Harlan Review: Roald Dahl Is Antisemitic, but Not a Cartoon Villain, in 'Giant' A new play in London portrays the beloved children's author as a rounded character, while making no apology for his bigotry. By Houman Barekat Avery Brunkus Critic's Notebook 3 Ambitious Song Cycles, but Only One Connects Mind and Heart Todd Almond's "I'm Almost There" is a work of wonder, while Gabriel Kahane's "Book of Travelers" and "Magnificent Bird" are less effective. By Elisabeth Vincentelli Maria Baranova Critic's Notebook Disoriented in America: Two Political Plays Reflect a Changed Country The Off Broadway plays "Fatherland" and "Blood of the Lamb" explore the grief, anger and fear of no longer recognizing the country you love. By Laura Collins-Hughes Nicolai Khalezin Critic's Notebook The Stage Combat Is Verbal in These Off Broadway Plays Belarus Free Theater's "KS6: Small Forward" and three other shows are reminders that there are many ways to portray conflicts and confrontations onstage. By Elisabeth Vincentelli NOTABLE DEATHS Maggie Smith, Grande Dame of Stage and Screen, Dies at 89 She earned an extraordinary array of awards, from Oscars to Emmys to a Tony, but she could still go almost everywhere unrecognized. Then came "Downton Abbey." By Anita Gates and Robert Berkvist An appraisal Maggie Smith Was Imperious in the Most Delightful Way Throughout her career and on "Downton Abbey," she perfected the role of the commanding Englishwoman with an arrow-sharp wit. By Roslyn Sulcas An Appraisal On 'Downton Abbey,' Maggie Smith Made an Icy Aristocrat Irresistible The hit melodrama brought Smith the kind of fame she never wanted, but it is easy to understand why it happened. By Louis Bayard Ken Page, Who Starred in 'Cats' and Voiced Oogie Boogie, Dies at 70 His career on Broadway spanned decades. But he has probably best known for providing the voice of the boogeyman in "The Nightmare Before Christmas." By Aimee Ortiz GUIDES TO FALL PRODUCTIONS Marc Brenner Fall Preview 28 Broadway and Off Broadway Shows to See This Fall New York stages are welcoming Robert Downey Jr., Adam Driver, Audra McDonald and more this season. By Laura Collins-Hughes Sara Krulwich/The New York Times Fall Preview 15 Shows to See on Stages Around the U.S. This Fall Matthew Broderick stars in "Babbitt" in Washington, D.C., and five companies nationwide will stage Eboni Booth's Pulitzer-winning play "Primary Trust." By Laura Collins-Hughes Getty Images; Associated Press Hollywood Is Heading for Broadway (and Off). Here's a Cheat Sheet. George Clooney as Murrow! Denzel Washington as Othello! Mia Farrow as a larcenous landlord! So much to see! By Michael Paulson Marc Brenner What to See on London Stages This Fall Some recommendations for visitors and residents who want to get the most from the city's varied theater scene. By Matt Wolf Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for Theater Update from The New York Times. To stop receiving Theater Update, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request. Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app Connect with us on: Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018