Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice (also known simply as Walk on Through) is a musical by Gavin Creel inspired by the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collections. It is based on a concept originally commissioned by The Met. The original production made its world premiere and Off-Broadway debut at the MCC Theater from November 13, 2023, to January 7, 2024.
History and development Creel received his commission from the Met in January 2019. The work had a premiere concert presentation in October 2021 at the Met; this performance was also filmed and uploaded on YouTube.The Met Gavin Creel: Walk On Through | MetLiveArts YouTube In 2022, there were two workshops of the piece at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center and Pershing Square Signature Center. Creel spoke at length about working on this piece before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the Companion Guide, referenced artworks are: Smashed Strokes Hope by Joan Snyder Wisconsin Landscape by John Steuart Curry America Today by Thomas Hart Benton Autumn Rhythm (Number 30) by Jackson Pollock The Organ Rehearsal by Henry Lerolle The Storm by Pierre Auguste Cot Vsevolod Mikhailovich Garshin (1855-1888) by Ilya Repin (portrait of Vsevolod Garshin) Untitled photo by Gregory Crewdson Untitled film still #48 by Cindy Sherman Soft Figure by Robert Heinecken Salvator Mundi by Albrecht Dürer Fragmentary Colossal Marble Head of Youth Annette by Alberto Giacometti The Weeders by Jules Breton Judith and the Head of Holofernes by Lucas Cranach the Elder From Williamsburg Bridge by Edward Hopper
Creatives have begun working on obtaining permission to licensing rights for there to be future theatrical productions after the Off-Broadway run, with the MET enthusiastically endorsing the project.
Productions Original Off-Broadway production The world premiere was directed by Linda Goodrich and music directed by Madeline Benson. It made its Off-Broadway debut at the MCC Theater. It ran from November 13, 2023, to January 7, 2024. The cast starred Creel alongside Ryan Vasquez, Benson, Chris Peters, and Sasha Allen.Russo, Gillian 'Walk on Through' sets full Off-Broadway cast NewYorkTheatreGuide, September 6, 2023MCCTheatre Walk on ThroughDziemianowicz, Joe 'Walk on Through' review — Gavin Creel reflects on how art imitates, and inspires, life NewYorkTheatreGuide, December 4, 2023Culwell-Block, Logan Reviews: Read What Critics Think of Gavin Creel Musical Walk On Through Playbill, December 5, 2023Collins-Hughes, Laura ‘Walk on Through’ Review: Dispatches, in Song, From a Museum Novice NewYorkTimes, December 4, 2023
Musical numbers "Where Am I?" "Walk On Through" "Color" "Hallelujah" "The Journey" "Scattered" "Sing" "What Is This?" "The Only One" "I Know You" "Hands On You" "High" "Alone Tonight" "Judith" "Daydreamer" "Unfinished World"
Recordings A live cast album of the show was released on September 30, 2025. It was produced by Madeline Benson, Chris Peters, and Sara Bareilles.Culwell-Block, Logan Gavin Creel Musical Walk On Through Will Get Live Cast Album Playbill, September 16, 2025
All songs are sung by Gavin Creel and played by the Walk On Through Band.
External links Gavin Creel: Walk On Through | MetLiveArts, Met Museum www.walkonthrough.com (The Companion Guide) Gavin Creel: Walk On Through | MetLiveArts on YouTube (Recorded on October 25, 2021)
References