The Unbreakable Bond: Sara Bareilles And Gavin Creel’s Lasting Legacy, From Waitress To The 2025 Tony Awards Tribute

The recent, profoundly emotional tribute to Gavin Creel at the 2025 Tony Awards served as a poignant reminder of one of Broadway’s most beloved and dynamic partnerships: the unbreakable bond between the late Tony winner and his dear friend, the singer-songwriter Sara Bareilles. In the wake of Creel’s passing on September 30, 2024, the narrative surrounding the two stars has shifted from their vibrant collaborations on stage to the powerful, enduring legacy of their friendship, which continues to inspire the theatre community today.

The current date, December 12, 2025, sees the theatre world still reeling from the loss, but also actively celebrating Creel’s spirit through initiatives like the newly established Gavin Creel Fellowships. This article delves into the intertwined careers of these two titans, exploring the iconic roles that cemented their status as "Broadway BFFs" and detailing the powerful way Bareilles is helping to keep Creel’s passionate ethos alive for the next generation of artists. Their story is one of mutual respect, shared laughter, and a professional synergy that defined a modern era of musical theatre.

A Dual Biography: Sara Bareilles and Gavin Creel

The professional lives of Sara Bareilles and Gavin Creel were destined to intersect, rooted in a shared passion for authentic, emotionally resonant storytelling, though their paths to Broadway stardom took different routes.

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Sara Bareilles: The Pop Star Turned Broadway Composer

• Full Name: Sara Beth Bareilles
• Born: December 7, 1979 (Age 45 as of late 2025)
• Birthplace: Eureka, California, U.S.
• Primary Career: Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Actress, Composer
• Major Career Highlights:
  • Breakthrough with the hit single "Love Song" (2007).
  • Grammy Award winner (including Best American Roots Performance for "Saint Honesty").
  • Composed the music and lyrics for Waitress The Musical.
  • Received Tony and Grammy nominations for her work on Waitress.
  • Starring roles in Broadway revivals, including The Baker's Wife in Into the Woods.

Gavin Creel: The Tony-Winning Broadway Luminary and Activist

• Full Name: Gavin James Creel
• Born: April 18, 1976
• Died: September 30, 2024 (Age 48)
• Birthplace: Findlay, Ohio, U.S.
• Primary Career: Actor, Singer, Songwriter, Activist
• Major Career Highlights:
  • Tony Award winner (Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly!).
  • Laurence Olivier Award winner (Best Actor in a Musical for Elder Price in The Book of Mormon).
  • Tony Award nominations for *Thoroughly Modern Millie* and *Hair*.
  • Iconic roles in *Waitress* (Dr. Pomatter and Ogie) and *Into the Woods* (Wolf and Cinderella's Prince).
  • Co-founder of the organization Broadway Impact, advocating for LGBTQ+ equality.

The Iconic Collaborations: Waitress and Into the Woods

The shared history of Bareilles and Creel is most famously defined by two landmark musical productions, both of which highlighted their incredible chemistry and vocal synergy.

Waitress: The Pie Shop Duo

The most significant chapter in their professional story is undoubtedly Waitress The Musical. Bareilles not only composed the entire score but also stepped into the leading role of Jenna Hunterson multiple times. Creel joined her on Broadway for a limited engagement, initially taking on the role of Dr. Pomatter, Jenna's compassionate but complicated love interest.

The pair’s on-stage dynamic was electric, fueled by their genuine off-stage friendship. Their performances of songs like "Bad Idea" and "You Matter to Me" were fan favorites, showcasing a chemistry that transcended the standard co-star relationship. They were often seen together promoting the show, affectionately referring to each other as "Broadway BFFs," a title that stuck because of their easy, supportive, and hilarious rapport. Their final week together in Waitress in February of a previous year drew massive crowds, underscoring their star power.

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Into the Woods: The Fairytale Fling

Their second major collaboration saw them share the stage in the celebrated 2022 revival of Stephen Sondheim’s classic, Into the Woods. Bareilles played The Baker’s Wife, while Creel took on the dual roles of the narcissistic Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince. This production provided a different, yet equally memorable, professional moment: their characters shared a brief, pivotal romantic encounter in the woods, culminating in the song "Any Moment."

This collaboration proved their versatility, moving from the contemporary pop-rock of Waitress to the complex, intricate world of Sondheim. It was a testament to their mutual respect as actors, showcasing their ability to inhabit completely different characters while maintaining a compelling stage presence together.

A Legacy of Friendship and The Gavin Creel Fellowships

Gavin Creel’s passing from sarcoma in September 2024 left a noticeable void in the theatre world. The outpouring of grief was immediately followed by a powerful movement to honor his memory, with Sara Bareilles at the forefront.

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The Emotional Tony Awards Tribute

The most public and recent display of their bond came during the 2025 Tony Awards. Bareilles, alongside Cynthia Erivo, performed a moving rendition of "Tomorrow" for the In Memoriam segment, which culminated with Creel’s photo. Bareilles was visibly overcome with emotion, a raw and honest moment that captured the depth of their long-standing friendship for millions of viewers. This tribute, a year after his death, solidified his place as a cherished figure and Bareilles as his most devoted friend and advocate.

The Gavin Creel Fellowships: Continuing His Mission

In partnership with the American Theatre Wing and fellow Broadway star Celia Keenan-Bolger, Bareilles has been instrumental in launching The Gavin Creel Fellowships. This annual program is not merely a memorial; it is a direct continuation of Creel's lifelong passion for activism and creating opportunities for emerging artists.

The purpose of the fellowship is to support the next generation of theatre makers who face economic and systemic challenges, providing them with the resources and support Creel believed every young artist deserved. Bareilles, Keenan-Bolger, and a group of Creel's close friends and collaborators are actively involved in building a significant endowment to fund the program for years to come, ensuring that Creel's ethos of inclusivity, joy, and advocacy remains a permanent fixture in the Broadway community. This initiative stands as the most vital and current collaboration between Bareilles and Creel—a partnership that now transcends the stage and lives on through mentorship and artistic opportunity.