BWW Interviews: Gavin Creel talks Toronto EP Release 11/28

If you aren't yet familiar with the name Gavin Creel, you probably should be.  Star of screen and stage, Gavin was recently Tony nominated for his role in HAIR and is now coming to Toronto for one night only to perform songs off his newly released EP, "Quiet".  Hugely popular in NYC, Toronto is thrilled to welcome Gavin, and excited to hear the new music from his second CD release (he will also be performing songs from his first release "Goodtimenation.")

Gavin spoke with BWW about his EP, Toronto, and what people can expect from his show at The Factory Theatre:

Welcome back to Toronto! You recently performed at Marc Kimelman's I Move Forward which was a wonderful event, is this your first solo show in the Toronto Area?

I have actually done a few shows in Toronto. My friend and co-writer Robbie Roth is a Toronto native and I am always going back and forth from NYC to Toronto for writing and work. I love Toronto. I made both of my records there and have played there twice in my first big touring job - FAME. I have been at the Royal Alexandra and The Princess of Wales as well as filmed the ELOISE movies there, so I think Toronto is my jam.

How did you find the audience reaction at Marc's event? Was it the welcoming type of audience that people come to expect from Canadians?

Marc's event was one of the most real and intense nights I have ever seen or been a part of ever. He's incredible. It was art exactly the way I dream of it being: urgent, important, healing, powerful and completely without affect and all thanks to him. I was honoured that he let me be a part of I Move Forward and I intend to be there every year he does it.

We are thrilled to have you returning to perform some of your solo material, can you give us a brief overview of what your solo stuff is like and what audiences can expect?

I have had a wild and fun run in the theatre for the last decade or so, but all the while I have been writing my own music. I grew up addicted to the radio and had a mean tape/CD collection - I even rocked the LPs and 45s when I was little - so my style is somewhere between the dramatic and the pop, between the 80s and now. I call it "Epic Pop". It has size and flare, but it is always rooted in a place with heart and guts. I like music that makes people immediately engage their own experience while taking a little three minute journey through one of mine. My music is joyful at times and heartbreaking at times, but always simple and new and mine.

Will you be performing any Broadway songs or expecting any surprise guests?

Most of the material is new and original, and we are stripping everything back for these gigs so it will just be my man Robbie and I. As for the Broadway covers, perhaps I might do one. But the night is about what I do when I'm not playing someone else. It's about opening up and letting go.

Finally, will you be selling any of your solo material at the event?

Yes. The evening is sort of a "launch" of sorts in Canada for my new EP, Quiet. It is a six song collection of some session material we did up in the Toronto studio this past winter, and I'm really excited to have it available in hard copy for the audience to purchase. It's the perfect album to usher in autumn.

How can our readers in Canada purchase it?

Come to the show!

When and Where?

Gavin Creel at the Factory Theatre - November 28th
125 Bathurst St, Adelaide St Entrance

Doors at 7:30PM

Tickets can be purchased at the door, by phone at 416-504-9971 or online