Photos & Write-Up by: Bailey Guinigundo
(The Historic Ritz Theatre, Winter Haven, FL) The Historic Ritz provided the perfect intimate backdrop for a powerhouse performance from Broadway veteran Brian Crum, best known for his jaw-dropping 2016 America’s Got Talent audition of “Creep,” which earned a rare four-judge standing ovation and catapulted him into the national spotlight.
Dressed in a shimmering black sequined suit, Crum took the stage right on time—without an opening act—and immediately commanded attention with an electrifying opener: Chapel Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.” It was a bold choice, vocally demanding yet joyfully uninhibited, and he delivered it with vocal precision and charisma that set the bar high for the night.
Between songs, Crum shared the story of his life and artistic journey with humor and vulnerability. He began with tales from his childhood in San Diego—“a chubby gay kid” who, at 12, convinced his mom to let him live with his aunt and uncle in Oregon. “They smoked weed,” he laughed, “and I thought they’d be nicer… but they hated Britney Spears.” The story became the perfect segue into his second number—an irresistibly fun and sharply choreographed rendition of Britney’s “Oops!… I Did It Again.”
Crum’s storytelling deepened as the night went on. He spoke candidly about a difficult breakup that coincided with one of his greatest career milestones—his dream performance at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert. Torn between heartbreak and triumph, he found catharsis in a stripped-down, emotional mashup of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” and Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends,” which became one of the evening’s most affecting moments.
The Broadway portion of the night brought soaring vocals and heartfelt nostalgia. Reflecting on returning to the stage in Jesus Christ Superstar, Crum related to Nicole Scherzinger’s remark about feeling “like coming home.” He delivered a breathtaking version of “As If We Never Said Goodbye,” which prompted my first standing ovation of the night, followed by a haunting Judas solo that showcased both his theatrical roots and vocal command.
Throughout the evening, Crum’s warmth filled the room. He waved to young theatre students in the audience, sharing how he’d begun performing at age five. A highlight came when he recounted Alanis Morissette once sharing a video of him performing one of her songs at her own concert. He followed this story with a spellbinding, eerie cover of Morissette’s “Uninvited,” his voice echoing through the room with a raw, almost spiritual intensity.
He also offered a stunning rendition of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, explaining that he had auditioned for the show at just 17 years old in San Diego—a full-circle moment that beautifully connected his Broadway beginnings to his present artistry.
As the main set ended, the audience roared for an encore. Crum returned to share reflections on his America’s Got Talent experience. Newly arrived in Los Angeles in 2016, unsure of his next move, he decided to audition despite concerns that the show might not be ready to feature an openly gay contestant. “We tell our story our way,” he declared, “or we don’t do it at all.” He reminded the crowd that “coming out” is not a single act, but a family journey. With that, he delivered the song that changed his life—Radiohead’s “Creep”—to a hushed, emotional crowd, many of whom filmed every note.
“It was amazing,” said one audience member—my 17-year-old daughter—after the show. “That might be the best concert I’ve ever been to.”
But the evening wasn’t over. The Ritz team invited my daughter and I to stay for a special post-show talkback with Crum and local child actors from Theatre Winter Haven. When he returned to the stage, smiling and waving, he shifted from performer to mentor, offering invaluable insight and advice.
He spoke about vocal care (“A nebulizer is more effective than just drinking water”), the importance of failure (“You have to be willing to mess up and learn from it”), and the realities of the business. In one moment of honest candor, he said, “If this is the only thing you want to do—do it. But if there’s anything else you love, pursue that too. Life in theatre and the arts is hard.”
Crum encouraged the young performers to take advantage of professional opportunities—like those at Disney—and to create their own content online, noting that platforms like TikTok and Instagram are helping new artists get discovered. “Work harder than anyone else,” he urged. “Wake up, eat, sleep, and breathe what you love. Make rejection your friend—it’s just part of the process.”
When asked about the value of a college theatre degree, he responded with blunt honesty: “A BFA or MFA alone won’t guarantee success. You have to be self-aware. This business is uncertain—but a degree gives you options.”
He concluded by reflecting on his own teachers: “If people are always telling you you’re great, they’re not helping you. My teachers pushed me because they knew I had more to give.”
The Ritz team deserves high praise for organizing the Q&A—it turned an already incredible concert into an educational and inspiring experience for the next generation of performers.
Brian Crum proved himself not only as a showman with a phenomenal voice and magnetic stage presence, but also as a deeply grounded artist who gives back. His vocal versatility, thoughtful song choices, and genuine connection with the audience made the evening unforgettable.
A standing ovation for Brian Crum—and for a night that was as uplifting as it was unforgettable.
(The Historic Ritz Theatre, Winter Haven, FL) The Historic Ritz provided the perfect intimate backdrop for a powerhouse performance from Broadway veteran Brian Crum, best known for his jaw-dropping 2016 America’s Got Talent audition of “Creep,” which earned a rare four-judge standing ovation and catapulted him into the national spotlight.
Dressed in a shimmering black sequined suit, Crum took the stage right on time—without an opening act—and immediately commanded attention with an electrifying opener: Chapel Roan’s “Pink Pony Club.” It was a bold choice, vocally demanding yet joyfully uninhibited, and he delivered it with vocal precision and charisma that set the bar high for the night.
Between songs, Crum shared the story of his life and artistic journey with humor and vulnerability. He began with tales from his childhood in San Diego—“a chubby gay kid” who, at 12, convinced his mom to let him live with his aunt and uncle in Oregon. “They smoked weed,” he laughed, “and I thought they’d be nicer… but they hated Britney Spears.” The story became the perfect segue into his second number—an irresistibly fun and sharply choreographed rendition of Britney’s “Oops!… I Did It Again.”
Crum’s storytelling deepened as the night went on. He spoke candidly about a difficult breakup that coincided with one of his greatest career milestones—his dream performance at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Cynthia Erivo and Adam Lambert. Torn between heartbreak and triumph, he found catharsis in a stripped-down, emotional mashup of Robyn’s “Dancing On My Own” and Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends,” which became one of the evening’s most affecting moments.
The Broadway portion of the night brought soaring vocals and heartfelt nostalgia. Reflecting on returning to the stage in Jesus Christ Superstar, Crum related to Nicole Scherzinger’s remark about feeling “like coming home.” He delivered a breathtaking version of “As If We Never Said Goodbye,” which prompted my first standing ovation of the night, followed by a haunting Judas solo that showcased both his theatrical roots and vocal command.
Throughout the evening, Crum’s warmth filled the room. He waved to young theatre students in the audience, sharing how he’d begun performing at age five. A highlight came when he recounted Alanis Morissette once sharing a video of him performing one of her songs at her own concert. He followed this story with a spellbinding, eerie cover of Morissette’s “Uninvited,” his voice echoing through the room with a raw, almost spiritual intensity.
He also offered a stunning rendition of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, explaining that he had auditioned for the show at just 17 years old in San Diego—a full-circle moment that beautifully connected his Broadway beginnings to his present artistry.
As the main set ended, the audience roared for an encore. Crum returned to share reflections on his America’s Got Talent experience. Newly arrived in Los Angeles in 2016, unsure of his next move, he decided to audition despite concerns that the show might not be ready to feature an openly gay contestant. “We tell our story our way,” he declared, “or we don’t do it at all.” He reminded the crowd that “coming out” is not a single act, but a family journey. With that, he delivered the song that changed his life—Radiohead’s “Creep”—to a hushed, emotional crowd, many of whom filmed every note.
“It was amazing,” said one audience member—my 17-year-old daughter—after the show. “That might be the best concert I’ve ever been to.”
But the evening wasn’t over. The Ritz team invited my daughter and I to stay for a special post-show talkback with Crum and local child actors from Theatre Winter Haven. When he returned to the stage, smiling and waving, he shifted from performer to mentor, offering invaluable insight and advice.
He spoke about vocal care (“A nebulizer is more effective than just drinking water”), the importance of failure (“You have to be willing to mess up and learn from it”), and the realities of the business. In one moment of honest candor, he said, “If this is the only thing you want to do—do it. But if there’s anything else you love, pursue that too. Life in theatre and the arts is hard.”
Crum encouraged the young performers to take advantage of professional opportunities—like those at Disney—and to create their own content online, noting that platforms like TikTok and Instagram are helping new artists get discovered. “Work harder than anyone else,” he urged. “Wake up, eat, sleep, and breathe what you love. Make rejection your friend—it’s just part of the process.”
When asked about the value of a college theatre degree, he responded with blunt honesty: “A BFA or MFA alone won’t guarantee success. You have to be self-aware. This business is uncertain—but a degree gives you options.”
He concluded by reflecting on his own teachers: “If people are always telling you you’re great, they’re not helping you. My teachers pushed me because they knew I had more to give.”
The Ritz team deserves high praise for organizing the Q&A—it turned an already incredible concert into an educational and inspiring experience for the next generation of performers.
Brian Crum proved himself not only as a showman with a phenomenal voice and magnetic stage presence, but also as a deeply grounded artist who gives back. His vocal versatility, thoughtful song choices, and genuine connection with the audience made the evening unforgettable.
A standing ovation for Brian Crum—and for a night that was as uplifting as it was unforgettable.
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