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Gavin Lee is an English actor. Known for his work in musical theatre in the West End and on Broadway theatre, he portrayed Bert in Mary Poppins, and originated the role of Squidward Tentacles in .
In 2004, Lee auditioned to be the Bert understudy in the London production of Mary Poppins, but won the role outright. He originated the role of Bert in the original West End production. He also starred as Bert in the Broadway theatre production of Mary Poppins. 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.
In June 2008, Lee performed in a concert version of Show Boat at Carnegie Hall as Frank Schultz.Gans, Andrew. "Principal Casting Complete for Carnegie Hall 'Show Boat'" Playbill, 7 May 2008, retrieved 23 November 2017 He has performed 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. Lee again reunited with Kelly when he returned to the role of Bert in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins on 24 August 2010. "Gavin Lee Will Return to Broadway Cast of 'Mary Poppins'" Playbill
He took over the role of Jerry Travers in the West End production of Top Hat beginning 5 February 2013. He joined the Broadway revival of Les Miserables as Thenardier beginning 3 March 2015.
Lee played Squidward Tentacles in SpongeBob SquarePants, the Broadway Musical. The stage musical premiered at the Oriental Theatre in Chicago, Illinois, and ran from June to July 2016.Rickwald, Bethany. "Gavin Lee, Nick Blaemire, and More Join 'The SpongeBob Musica'l Cast" theatermania.com, 19 February 2016 Lee reprised his role as Squidward for the Broadway run of the musical, starting with November 2017 previews at the Palace Theatre and remaining until it closed in September 2018. "'SpongeBob' Musical Will Close on Broadway and Plan for a Tour" nytimes.com, Retrieved 13 January 2019 Lee was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his role as Squidward.
In June 2019, he appeared at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn, New Jersey, taking on the role of Lumiere in Beauty and the Beast. He reprised the role in the 2021 UK tour. The production then transferred to the West End's London Palladium for a limited engagement beginning June 2022. Disney’s Beauty and the Beast will play London Palladium This Summer Playbill, January 21, 2022
On February 17, 2020, he performed the Manhattan Concert Productions' 50th-anniversary celebration of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center. He played the Butler.
Lee returned to the Paper Mill Playhouse to play Max Detweiler in its production of The Sound of Music from December 2–January 1, 2023. Ashley Blanchet, Graham Rowat, and Gavin Lee to Lead Paper Mill's The Sound of Music Playbill, October 19, 2022 He then went on to star in the tribute revue Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends, which opened at the Gielgud Theatre on 3 October 2023 following preview performances that began on 21 September. The production ran until 6 January 2024. In 2025, the revue transferred to the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles and then to Broadway's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. " Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends – Los Angeles", Playbill. Retrieved 25 March 2025 " Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends – Broadway", Playbill (vault), retrieved April 8, 2025 Lee took over the role of Scar in the Broadway production of The Lion King beginning July 22, 2025. "Two-Time Tony Nominee Gavin Lee Joins The Lion King as Scar", Broadway.com. Retrieved 2 July 2025
| Broadway replacement | |||
| Broadway theatre production; originated role | |||
| 2024-2025 | Les Misérables | Monsieur Thénardier !- | Arena Spectacular World Tour |
| West End | |||
| Encores!; Standby but went on several performances during the 11-day run | |||
| Reprising his role from the 2019 Paper Mill Playhouse production | |||
| In Chicago, Boston, and New York | |||
| Broadway theatre production; originated role | |||
| Originated role | |||
| Broadway Replacement | |||
| Replacement | |||
| Replacement | |||
| Return to role | |||
| Originated role | |||
| Broadway theatre production; originated role | |||
| West End production; originated role | |||
| West End | |||
| West End | |||
| West End; Originated role | |||
| West End; Originated role | |||
| West End; Also choreographer | |||
| West End; Originated role | |||
| Originated role | |||
| West End debut |
| 2007 | Best Actor in a Musical | Mary Poppins | |
| 2018 | Best Featured Actor in a Musical | SpongeBob SquarePants |
| 2007 | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Mary Poppins | |
| 2018 | SpongeBob SquarePants |
| 2005 | Best Actor in a Musical | Mary Poppins |
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