Gavin Lee

Gavin Lee
Born Gavin Lee
(1971-10-15) 15 October 1971
Woodbridge, Suffolk, England
Occupation Stage actor, singer and dancer
Spouse(s) Emily Harvey (2005—present)

Gavin Lee (born 15 October 1971) is an English actor who has appeared on the stage in musical theatre, notably in the musical Mary Poppins, in both the West End and on Broadway.

Biography

Early life

Lee is an alumnus of the Doreen Bird College of Performing Arts after which he has been involved in various musicals as a performer and choreographer.

Career

Lee appeared in the dance play Contact in the West End at the Queen's Theatre, opening in October 2002.[1]

In 2004, Lee auditioned to be the Bert understudy in the London production of Mary Poppins, but managed to win the role outright. He originated the role of Bert in the original West End production. He also starred as Bert in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins.[2] He was chosen for the Broadway role because of his critically acclaimed performance as Bert in the West End production. He departed the Broadway production after nearly two years to launch the US National Tour, but returned to the Broadway production in August 2010 until January 2013. Lee was nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical at the 2005 Olivier Awards and the 2005 Theatregoer's Choice Awards for originating the West End role of Bert. For his Broadway performance, Lee was nominated for the 2006 Outer Critics Circle Awards (Outstanding Actor in a Musical) and the 2007 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical. He also won the 2007 Drama Desk Award for Featured Actor in a Musical and an award for Outstanding Broadway Debut at the 63rd annual Theatre World Awards. In August 2007, Lee was added to Sardi's caricature gallery with other Broadway actors.[3]

In June 2008, Lee performed in a concert version of Show Boat at Carnegie Hall.[4]

He has worked as part of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera film adaptation, appearing as one of the singers/dancers in the "Masquerade" scene.

Lee and former London co-star Laura Michelle Kelly performed as Bert and Mary Poppins in the America Celebrates 4 July at Fords Theatre in front of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on 6 June 2010. The special aired on 2 July 2010 on ABC.[5] Lee again reunited with Kelly when he returned to the role of Bert in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins on 24 August 2010.[6]

He took over the role of Jerry Travers in the West End production of Top Hat beginning 5 February 2013.[7] He joined the Broadway revival of Les Miserables as Thenardier beginning 3 March 2015.[8]

It was announced on 19 February 2016 that Lee will play Squidward in The SpongeBob Musical. The stage musical is expected to premiere at the Oriental Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, from June to July 2016. [9]

Personal life

Lee is married to Emily Harvey, an American actress who was playing the role of Mme Firmin in London's The Phantom of the Opera during his own run in London in Mary Poppins.

Theatre appearances

Year Show Role Venue Notes
2016 The SpongeBob Musical Squidward Tentacles Oriental Theatre Chicago Originating role
2015 Les Misérables Thénardier Imperial Theatre Replacement
2013 Top Hat Jerry Travers Aldwych Theatre Replacement
2010-2013 Mary Poppins Bert New Amsterdam Theatre Return to role
2009–2010 US National Tour Originated role
2006–2008 New Amsterdam Theatre Broadway production; originated role
2004–2006 Bristol Hippodrome & Prince Edward Theatre West End production; originated role
2002 Contact Aristocrat Queen's Theatre
2002 Let's Kick Arts Ensemble Bridewell Theatre
2001 Zip Goes a Million Percy Piggott The Theatre Museum
2001 DuBarry Was a Lady Harry/ Captain of the Guard Her Majesty's Theatre
2001 Peggy Sue Got Married Richard Shaftesbury Theatre Originated role
1999 A Saint She Ain't Danny O'Reilly Apollo Theatre & King's Head Theatre Originated role
1999 Of Thee I Sing J.P. Wintergeen Bridewell Theatre
1999 Jubilee! Richard Her Majesty's Theatre Also choreographer
1998 Singin' in the Rain Don Lockwood Leicester Haymarket
1998 Oklahoma! Slim National Theatre Originated role
1997 Crazy for You Bobby Child Prince Edward Theatre Also choreographer

Cast recordings

Filmography

Television

References

  1. ↑ "Broadway hit 'Contact' at Queens in Oct 02" londontheatre.co.uk, accessed 13 March 2016
  2. ↑ Gans, Andrew (21 May 2008). "Lee Will Join Brown for National Tour of Mary Poppins". Playbill. Retrieved 22 May 2008.
  3. ↑ McBride, Walter (31 August 2007). "Brown & Lee Reveal Sardi's Caricatures.". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 1 September 2007.
  4. ↑ Gans, Andrew (7 May 2008). "Principal Casting Complete for Carnegie Hall Show Boat". Playbill. Retrieved 22 May 2008.
  5. ↑ "Glover, Kelly, Van Dyke et al. Featured in July 4 Celebration to Air 7/2" broadwayworld.com, 2 July 2010
  6. ↑ "Gavin Lee Will Return to Broadway Cast of 'Mary Poppins'" Playbill
  7. ↑ Gavin Lee Set to Join West End's TOP Hat, Feb 5 broadwayworld.com, Retrieved 3 March 2013
  8. ↑ "Breaking News: LES MISERABLES Announces New Leads for Second Year on Broadway; Plus Tony Nominee Ramin Karimloo Extends!" broadwayworld.com, Retrieved 31 January 2015
  9. ↑ Rickwald, Bethany. "Gavin Lee, Nick Blaemire, and More Join 'The SpongeBob Musica'l Cast" theatermania.com, February 19, 2016


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