Dreams of Broadway
From a very early age, Robert Creighton often pictured himself as the goaltender for the NHL’s Toronto Maple Leafs. Although sporting dreams initially took center stage, they coexisted with dreams of someday dancing like Fred Astaire and being an actor on Broadway. While sports remain a big part of Robert’s life, any professional aspirations were, to understate it, a little far-fetched!
The acting bug took a deep and irrefutable hold when in tenth grade he participated in a community theater production of Oliver! At the auditions, he was sure he wanted to play the role of Oliver, the title character, and was (briefly) disappointed when he was cast by the wise director as the Artful Dodger.
Following high school, Robert was anxious and determined to begin his career in Toronto or New York. But on advice from those he respected, he decided solid training was in order. So, Robert earned a BA in vocal performance, with a minor in English, from Wilfrid Laurier University.
First Professional Performances
University life included everything from performing in his doo-wop group the WeeBops, to stand-up comedy as alter ego Ernest Finklestien, to the local Gilbert & Sullivan Society productions and a brass quintet. The summer following his freshman year, he was cast once again as the Artful Dodger (not the last time either!) at Rainbow Stage in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Thus, Robert’s journey as a professional began! While this was all great training, his longing to get to New York remained.
After graduation, Robert began his studies at the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC. His first professional play in the United States began with S.N. Behrman’s End of Summer in New York. Before landing on Broadway, Robert showcased his talents in dozens of other wonderful performances including:
- Peter Pan in Peter Pan.
- Artful Dodger in Oliver!
- Angelo in Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors.
- Tobias in Sweeny Todd.
- Goody King in the original North American Tour of Fame.
- 2 seasons with New York City Opera including a performance as Njegus in The Merry Widow which was broadcast Live from Lincoln Center.
Broadway
Then in 2003, Robert was cast in his first Broadway show Laughing Room Only, which was conceived by and starred the comedian Jackie Mason. This began a series of Broadway shows including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Chicago, Anything Goes, The Mystery of Edwin Drood, and Frozen.
Cagney
Robert is also co-author and star of the hit musical Cagney (coming to Broadway soon) which set an advance ticket sales record and ran for over 500 performances at the Westside Theatre in New York. For his lead role as James Cagney, Robert won the Fred Astaire Award for Outstanding Male Dancer and was nominated for the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards as Best Lead Actor in a Musical. Subsequent productions in Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, and most recently London have garnered rave reviews. The show will soon make its Broadway debut.
TV
Robert is also known for his television appearances. His guest-starring roles include The Good Fight (CBS), Elementary (CBS), Law & Order (NBC), The Family (ABC), and Life on Mars (ABC).
Other Ventures
In addition to his other outstanding roles, Robert maintains a voice-over career including spots for AT&T, Verizon, Splenda, Port Authority of NY, Buffalo Wild Wings, Nickelodeon, and many others. He narrated Tommy Spaulding’s incredible book The Gift of Influence in 2022. His voice can also be heard in feature films such as Tangled, the live-action Beauty and the Beast, and The Nutcracker (as the sidekick to John Turturro’s Rat King!).
Lastly, Robert has won New York City’s prestigious Bistro Award for “Outstanding Entertainer” for his Cabaret Ain’t We Got Fun! His debut album of the same name is available on all music platforms. He has held concerts all over the including at The International Festival of the Arts at Epcot Center.
