The Book Of Mormon’s Gavin Creel has won the Best Actor in a Musical Award at this evening’s Olivier Awards with MasterCard ceremony.
Creel wins for his hilarious, heartwarming and technically brilliant performance as Elder Price, an all-American jock who takes his sparkling smile and perfect hair to a small Ugandan town where he attempts to charm the locals with the beliefs of his beloved religious book.
Originating the role in the hugely successful West End production of the Tony Award-winning Broadway export, the American star arrived in London following the show’s US tour in which he first appeared as the young Mormon.
As well as demanding the ability to have audiences in hysterics with Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s unashamedly outrageous story, the role also requires the performer to blow audiences away with soaring performances and exceptionally delivered choreography, something the outstanding Creel achieves effortlessly.
Tonight’s Best Actor in a Musical category saw Creel nominated alongside his co-star Jared Gertner. The pair spoke about how it felt to be pitched against one another earlier this month at a nominees’ event, telling Official London Theatre that if either was lucky enough to win, they would dedicate the award to the other.
Creel also triumphed over fellow nominees Douglas Hodge (Charlie And The Chocolate Factory) and Kyle Scatliffe (The Scottsboro Boys).