Gavin Lee

Gavin Lee
Born Gavin Lee
15 October 1971 (1971-10-15) (age 40)
Enfield, Middlesex ,England
Occupation Stage actor and singer
Spouse Emily Harvey (2005—present)

Gavin Lee (born 15 October 1971) is an English actor who is currently starring as Bert on Broadway in the musical Mary Poppins.[1] He previously originated the role in the original West End production. 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 the August 2010.

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. In 2004, he auditioned to be the Bert understudy in the London production of Mary Poppins, but managed to win the role outright.

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.[2]

In June 2008, Lee performed in a concert version of Show Boat at Carnegie Hall.[3]

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

In addition, 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 July 4 at Fords Theatre in front of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on June 6, 2010. The special aired on July 2, 2010 on ABC.[4] Lee again reunited with Kelly when he returned to the role of Bert in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins on August 24, 2010.[5]

Contents

Theatre appearances

Year Show Role Venue Notes
2010 Mary Poppins Bert New Amsterdam Theatre Return to role
2009–Present Mary Poppins Bert US National Tour Originated role
2006–2008 Mary Poppins Bert New Amsterdam Theatre Broadway production; originated role
2004–2006 Mary Poppins Bert 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

References