Home (First Publish) — WALK ON THROUGH: Confessions of a Museum Novice

WALK ON THROUGH: Confessions of a Museum Novice is a thrilling new musical written by Tony and Olivier Award-winning actor and songwriter Gavin Creel. Inspired by the countless hours he spent wandering through the world-renowned collections of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gavin has created a wildly original piece filled with songs and stories that explore his journey through art, life, and love. Whether you are a museum lover or someone who—like Gavin—has never felt quite at home in them, this show invites you to join him and simply WALK ON THROUGH.

January 2019 Gavin Creel is approached by producers Limor Tomer and Erin Flannery from The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s MetLiveArts Department to create a piece based on selected works on display at the museum.
July 18, 2021 Harris and Nicole Schwartzberg host a summer writing retreat at the innovative Two Bridge work space in Irvington, NY for Creel, his musicians and the show’s newly formed creative team to workshop material for what will eventually become WALK ON THROUGH: CONFESSIONS OF A MUSEUM NOVICE.
October 25, 2021 A concert version of WALK ON THROUGH premieres in two sold out performances at The Metropolitan Museum of Art as part of the celebrated MetLiveArts series.
December 13, 2021 Tony Award-Nominated Broadway star Shoshana Bean welcomes Gavin Creel to be a special guest at her annual holiday concert, SING YOUR HALLELUJAH, held at NYC’s historic Apollo Theater. Creel performs “Unfinished World” from WALK ON THROUGH.
January 7, 2022 One of the selections Creel performs in his nationally broadcast solo PBS concert special STARS ON STAGE is “Unfinished World” from WALK ON THROUGH.
January 14, 2022 Gavin is given a writing fellowship at The Hermitage Artist Retreat in Englewood, Florida to further workshop material for WALK ON THROUGH.
May 19, 2022 WALK ON THROUGH is one of only three musicals chosen out of over 350 entries to be a part of the 58th Summer Season at the prestigious National Musical Theater Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut.
July 24, 2022 Creel begins his summer residency at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Musical Theater Conference to further develop WALK ON THROUGH with his band and creative team.
July 30, August 3 and 5, 2022 Three sold out public presentations of WALK ON THROUGH are held at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut.

PROJECT TIMELINE

PRODUCTION DEVELOPMENT

On December 12, 2022 at 2pm and 7pm, WALK ON THROUGH was presented for an industry-wide showcase at The Pershing Square Signature Center’s Irene Diamond Stage, a 294-seat theater conveniently located in the heart of New York’s Theater District. The audience in attendance was a curated list of potential producers, investors, partners and influencers.

The desired outcome of this showcase includes three options:

Theatrical and Touring Partnership Identifying respected regional theater and/or museum partners to develop and present the work outside of New York City.
Theatrical Run In partnership with some of New York’s leading producers and theaters for an off-Broadway and Broadway production.
International Touring Production Including major U.S. cities, London and Australia.

To inquire about investment opportunities for WALK ON THROUGH, contact Kerrick Dougherty, kdougherty@bespoketheatricals.com.

For general inquiries, contact info@walkonthrough.com

CAST

Gavin Creel (Creator/Performer) received a Tony Award for his performance as Cornelius Hackl in HELLO, DOLLY! starring Bette Midler. After making his Broadway debut originating the role of Jimmy Smith in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, for which he received his first Tony Award Nomination, Creel went on to star in the Broadway productions of HAIR (Tony Award Nomination), LA CAGE AUX FOLLES, SHE LOVES ME, THE BOOK OF MORMON, and WAITRESS. Creel is among the star-studded cast of New York City Center Encores! critically acclaimed production of INTO THE WOODS starring as Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince. The celebrated production transferred to Broadway where Creel reprised his role as Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince opposite Sara Bareilles, Brian d’Arcy James, Joshua Henry, Julia Lester, Patina Miller and Phillipa Soo. Gavin received an Olivier Award for his portrayal of Elder Price in the London Production of THE BOOK OF MORMON and also appeared on the West End in MARY POPPINS, HAIR, and WAITRESS.

Madeline Benson (Music Director, Keyboards, Vocals) is a music director, arranger, composer, and instrumentalist based in New York. MD credits (selected): BHANGIN’ IT (La Jolla Playhouse), WE LIVE IN CAIRO (ART), RAGS PARKLAND... (Ars Nova), RAGTIME on Ellis Island, AN OCTOROON (TFANA), THIS BEAUTIFUL FUTURE (Cherry Lane), FUTURITY (Ars Nova/Soho Rep), SKIN OF OUR TEETH (TFANA), LOCH NESS (the Rev), NIKOLA TELSA DROPS THE BEAT (ATF), AGENT 355 (CTC). Broadway credits (selected): WAITRESS, SIX, WAR PAINT. Madeline musically adapted Disney Theatrical’s FROZEN JR. and DESCENDANTS. B.A. Classical Civilizations from Harvard University.

Dominic Dorset (Mandolin, Violin, Percussion, Vocals) currently stars as Kristoff in the Broadway National Tour of FROZEN. He was also featured in this past year’s Broadway Backwards’ hit number, “He Plays the Violin.” As a musician, he has performed alongside Gavin Creel multiple times, including WALK ON THROUGH at the O’Neill’s National Musical Theatre Conference and The Metropolitan Museum of Art, as well as PBS’ “Stars On Stage.” In May, Dominic graduated from the Musical Theatre department at the University of Michigan. Glory to God!

Ben Moss (Actor, Vocals) is a Lucille Lortel Award-winning performer, music director, songwriter, and orchestrator. He performed in and music directed Heather Christian’s Richard Rodgers and Drama Desk Award-winning ORATORIO FOR LIVING THINGS at Ars Nova. Broadway conducting credits include HEAD OVER HEELS and AMÉLIE. Other credits include Heather Christian’s PRIME (Playwrights Horizons “Soundstage”), THE HELLO GIRLS (Prospect Theater), ARLINGTON (Vineyard Theatre), AFTER ANATEVKA (with Alexandra Silber, Audible), STRIKING 12 (Prospect Theater), CHASING THE SONG (La Jolla Playhouse), AMERICA IS HARD TO SEE (Life Jacket, Edinburgh), SPRING AWAKENING (1st National Tour), BEN MOSS & FRIENDS (The Duplex) and THE BONGO HOUR with Peter Smith & Sandy Honig (The Slipper Room). He is the composer of the new musical DON’T CALL ME JOHN! and is on all platforms @benkmoss and benkmoss.com.

Chris Peters (Guitar, Vocals) is a singer-songwriter, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist based in New York City. Raised on the 70s folk songwriting of Joni Mitchell, the pop vocals of John Mayer, and the autobiographical storytelling of comedians like Mike Birbiglia, Chris writes songs that combine humor, narrative and classic pop song forms. His EP, "Chris Peters, Grown-Up Singer," is available on all platforms.

Corey Rawls (Drums) is a drummer, educator, producer and film scorer who graduated with a Master’s Degree in Jazz Studies from Rutgers University, Mason Gross School of Music and continues to further his musical career by being active in various facets of the music industry. Being in the music industry for over twenty years, whether it is performing, touring with artists nationally and internationally, composing music for film (parkriverproductions.com) and teaching, Corey finds himself regularly involved in various environments of music. Corey is endorsed by Yamaha Drums, Bosphorus Cymbals and Collision Drumsticks.

Sherisse Rogers (Bass) comes to us from Philadelphia, PA. She is a well-established bassist local to New York City. She has made a name for herself playing bass on numerous Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. Her credits include: HAIRSPRAY, BABY, IT’S YOU, KINKY BOOTS, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES, JERSEY BOYS, ONCE ON THIS ISLAND and FOR COLORED GIRLS in addition to many others. Sherisse is also an award-winning composer/arranger and is a Professor of Jazz Composition at Manhattan School of Music. reverbnation.com/sherisserogers

Ximone Rose (Actor, Vocals) New Orleans native. University of Michigan Musical Theatre Program. (GO BLUE!) Broadway: ONCE ON THIS ISLAND (Storyteller). Off-Broadway: ONLY GOLD (MCC Theatre). WE’RE GONNA DIE (Keys/Singer/Dance Captain). 1st National Tour: BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL (Lucille). Regional: LEMPICKA (La Jolla Playhouse), SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (Tulane Summer Lyric), LIFE AFTER (Old Globe), INTO THE WOODS (Arkansas Rep), INTO THE WOODS (Writers Theatre), BIG FISH (Music Theatre Wichita), LEGALLY BLONDE (Fulton Theatre). CGF Talent. Stream my music on all platforms! Instagram: @SimoneWithAnX

John Tuohy (Guitar) has performed with many groups across multiple styles and genres over the past 20 years. Winner of “Best Band in Connecticut,” at the New England Music Awards, the progressive rock band, Mile Marker Zero has been his main group for over 15 years. They have toured the U.S. as headliners in addition to opening up for many great acts. MMZ released 4 albums, The Haunted, Mile Marker Zero and Young Rust and most recently The Fifth Row to critical acclaim. John graduated Magna Cum Laude from Western Connecticut State University with a BM in Jazz Performance.

PRODUCTION TEAM

Jenny Gersten (Theatrical Producer) serves as Line Producer for BEETLEJUICE on Broadway, Executive Producer for the musical BORN FOR THIS, Producer of Musical Theater for New York City Center, and Interim Artistic Director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival. She sometimes produces commercially, including the award-winning Off Broadway “pie shop” production of SWEENEY TODD. She works with Jessica Hecht on The Campfire Project, an arts program that primarily serves Syrian and Ukrainian refugees overseas. Previously, Jenny served as Executive Director of Friends of the High Line and as the Associate Producer of The Public Theater in New York City. At sea, she is the Creative Producer of Virgin Voyages.

Neeki Bey (Executive Producer) is a Creative Director for visuals and music. He specializes in story-telling through videos, concerts, and events that deliver strategic and emotionally-resonant creative experiences. Clients include The Metropolitan Museum of Art (MTC), Southern Methodist University, Houston Boychoir, country-pop duo Maddie and Tae, and Metropolitan Opera star and American Idol finalist John Holiday. ‘Make it Better’ is his motto both personally and creatively and drives his leadership approach.

Devin Keudell (Executive Producer/General Manager) Founder and Partner of Bespoke Theatricals, which supervises and manages theatrical productions of all sizes and complexities, supporting the artistic development and presentation of a production as envisioned by the creative team within the financial parameters established by the producers. Bespoke Theatricals has managed productions that have garnered 198 Tony Award Nominations and 73 Tony Award Wins. Current productions include MJ, ALMOST FAMOUS, and BEETLEJUICE.

Linda Goodrich (Director/Choreographer) New works: HOTEL CALIFORNIA with The Eagles, DANCE WITH ME with Air Supply, world premieres of EVERYTHING’S DUCKY (Henry Krieger, Bill Russell), and the adaptation of GOOD NEWS! Tours: CABARET —Europe, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN —U.S. and Japan. NY Theatre: Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall. Joe’s Pub, NYMF Award for Best Choreography. Other Theaters: Goodspeed Opera House, Paper Mill Playhouse, Cincinnati Playhouse, Walnut Street Theatre, Sacramento Broadway Theater, PCLO, St. Louis Rep, TUTS, North Shore, Seattle’s 5th Ave., Laguna Playhouse, The MUNY, Kansas City Starlight, and Music Theatre Wichita. Summer Faculty: Music Academy International, Trentino, Italy. Professor in the University of Michigan’s Department of Musical Theatre. Member SDC, AEA.

Javier Ameijeiras (Scenic Designer) has been working in the theater, TV and film industries for nearly two decades. He has contributed to the set designs of Broadway’s MRS. DOUBTFIRE, BEETLEJUICE, and HAMILTON. Live events include: GREASE LIVE!, RENT LIVE!, and four years of THE ACADEMY AWARDS. Film and TV work includes: THE GREATEST SHOWMAN, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, ALADDIN, STEP UP, SMASH, and THE GILDED AGE. Javier, originally from Miami (NWSA), has a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

Jiyoun Chang (Lighting Designer) made her Broadway lighting design debut with SLAVE PLAY, for which she was nominated in 2020 for Tony, Drama Desk and Henry Hewes Awards for Best Lighting Design of a Play. Additional credits include MERRY WIVES (Delacorte Theatre) and FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE/WHEN THE RAINBOW IS ENUF (The Public).

David Bengali (Projection Designer) Selected recent designs include: Broadway: 1776 (Roundabout/A.R.T.); Off-Broadway and Regional: TWILIGHT: LA 1992 (Signature Theatre - Drama Desk Nom., Hewes Award), HERE THERE ARE BLUEBERRIES (Tectonic Theater Project/La Jolla Playhouse), THE VISITOR (The Public Theater - Lortel Nom.), BHANGIN’ IT (La Jolla Playhouse, Huntington Theatre Co.), BOLLYWOOD KITCHEN (Geffen Playhouse), EINSTEIN’S DREAMS (Prospect/59E59 - Drama Desk Nom.), WE LIVE IN CAIRO (A.R.T), GIRLS (Yale Rep), VAN GOGH’S EAR (Ensemble for the Romantic Century - Drama Desk Nom.), THE GREAT LEAP (Atlantic Theater Co.), FRANKENSTEIN (Dallas Theater Center). MFA: NYU. Member: USA-829. He was a 2017-2019 Princeton Arts Fellow and teaches at Princeton and NYU.

Jeff Mahshie (Costume Designer) Broadway: KISS ME KATE, SHE LOVES ME (Tony and Drama Desk Nominations, OCC Award), THE TERMS OF MY SURRENDER, NEXT TO NORMAL, THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED. Off-Broadway: HURLYBURLY (Drama Desk Nomination) PRIVILEGE, SHOW PEOPLE, THE SCENE, THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED, BECKY SHAW, NEXT TO NORMAL, GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES, A PARALLELOGRAM, THE CORN IS GREEN, THE KID, GIANT, MARIE AND BRUCE, LAUGHING WILD, THE UNAVOIDABLE DISAPPEARANCE OF TOM DURNIN, EVENING AT THE TALK HOUSE, GOOD FOR OTTO, BOB & CAROL & TED & ALICE (Drama Desk Nomination, OCC Award) Follow @jeffmahshie

Erin Flannery (Project Development) leads with non-profit creative production and project development, with more than two decades of experience with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, WNYC and WQXR, WNET/Channel Thirteen in New York and the Minnesota Opera. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she led visual arts-inspired projects with Gavin Creel, Sting, Alan Cumming, Rhiannon Giddens, Alexis Taylor (Hot Chip), Simon Callow and many more, as part of the MetLiveArts performance series.

Gina Ferrara (Associate Producer) is an experienced museum-based, performing arts producer who has executed a wide variety of live and digital creative presentations. She has worked on behalf of both institutions, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Tilles Center for Performing Arts, and individual performers, including the string quartet ETHEL. Gina holds a BFA in Performing Arts Management with a concentration in Music from Long Island University.

Alex Neumann (Sound Designer) is a sound designer, music editor, and audio producer living in New York City. Alex has worked on Broadway, and all across the country with such theatre companies as American Repertory Theatre, Portland Center Stage, The Huntington Theatre Company, Hartford Stage, and La Jolla Playhouse. Alex is one of the sound designers on the current Broadway revival of INTO THE WOODS, as well as the national tour of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. In addition to INTO THE WOODS, Alex has worked on over twenty Broadway productions including THE MUSIC MAN, SLAVE PLAY, SEA WALL/A LIFE, THE BOYS IN THE BAND, CAROUSEL, HELLO, DOLLY!, and SHUFFLE ALONG. Alex is a proud union member of IATSE Local ACT and United Scenic Artist Local 829. B.A. in Music from SUNY Potsdam, M.F.A. in Theatrical Sound Design from Boston University. www.soundsneu.com

Carin Ford (Sound Engineer) worked on over 30 shows including national tours of MAMMA MIA!, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, LES MISÉRABLES, and CITY OF ANGELS. Her Broadway credits include KPOP, PARADISE SQUARE, CAROUSEL (Revival), HELLO, DOLLY! (Revival) starring Bette Midler, SHUFFLE ALONG, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, BIG FISH, BRING IT ON, LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (Revival), FINIAN’S RAINBOW, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN, THE COLOR PURPLE (Original Company), CAROLINE, OR CHANGE, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE, SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL and RAGTIME (Original Company). Carin was also the music editor for the recent filmed version of THE LAST FIVE YEARS.

Ryan Murphy (Production Manager) is the owner of Sightline Productions, a Production Management company working on Broadway, Off-Broadway and National Tours. He previously worked as the Vice President for Production Services and Operations at RWS Entertainment Group and before that as a VP and Production Manager for Aurora Productions. Past credits include 25 Broadway productions, over 60 national & international tours and multiple regional premieres. Favorite projects include Broadway’s THE LEHMAN TRILOGY, A CHRISTMAS CAROL, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, ANASTASIA, THE HUMANS, CATS. Off-Broadway’s BLINDNESS and TREVOR: THE MUSICAL and National Tours of SISTER ACT, PRISCILLA…, ANASTASIA, HEDWIG… and HADESTOWN. Ryan is an Adjunct Associate Professor at Columbia University and holds an MA from the University of Rochester and both a BFA and a BA from Niagara University.

Zeina Salame (Dramaturg) is an artist/scholar and Assistant Professor of Theatre at the University of Vermont (PhD, MS, MA). Recent creative projects and committee work with: Eugene O’Neill Theater Center National Playwrights Conference and National Music Theater Conference, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Artists Repertory Theatre, Golden Thread Productions, Commonwealth Theatre Center, the Guthrie Theater’s Level Nine (New Arab American Theater Works), and the National Institute for Directing and Ensemble Creation (Pangea World Theater & Art2Action). She is co-founder of Florida based theatre company, The 5 & Dime. Her monograph building from her 2020 dissertation “Carried in One Woman: Reflections on Arab American Female Solo Performance” is forthcoming.

Terence Odonkor (Copyist) is a recent graduate (Class of ‘22) of The College of New Jersey. During his time at college, he has had the pleasure of being a member of and writing music for a plethora of the ensembles offered in the Department of Music as well as being the Music Director and primary arranger of the school’s competitive acapella group the Trentones for the past 3 years. Terence currently resides in New York City and works professionally as an orchestrator, arranger, music assistant and copyist. In addition to a number of regional productions he has had the privilege of orchestrating, he is also a member of the music team of a number of new works for theater as well as the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical A STRANGE LOOP.

Kerrick Dougherty (Assistant General Manager) His professional credits include: RENT 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour (Company Manager); RENT 20th Anniversary Tour (Company Manager); MOTOWN THE MUSICAL 2017-2018 Tour (Assistant Company Manager); and HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD Broadway (Covid Safety Manager). During his free time, Kerrick enjoys reading, spending time with his partner, and being with friends.

Laura Hirschberg (Production Stage Manager) is a NYC-based stage manager/playwright/director. She's thrilled to return to WALK ON THROUGH just over a year after stage managing the 2021 presentation at The Met. Other favorite stage management credits include: THE MOUNTAINTOP (Arc Stages), BABES IN TOYLAND (Lincoln Center), PETER AND THE WOLF (BAM), MAGIC & MAYHEM (Workshop Theater), and several seasons as the resident stage manager of the Spiegeltent, part of Bard Summerscape. Laura recently returned from stage managing Black Grace Dance Company's United States and New Zealand tours. Proud member of AEA.

PRESS

The executive team of WALK ON THROUGH has been working closely with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, various contemporary artists and the artists’ estates in order to gain all the necessary permissions for the artwork featured in WALK ON THROUGH.

For use in future theatrical productions, we have obtained permissions from Cindy Sherman, Gregory Crewdson, the Pollock-Krasner Foundation, Joan Snyder, the estate of Edward Hopper and many more. The Met has also enthusiastically endorsed the piece, indicating their full support and willingness for use of the Museum’s image and logo.

A full list of the pieces included in WALK ON THROUGH can be viewed on our Art Credits page.