WORCESTER, Mass. – The theater community is mourning the loss of a Broadway veteran.

Gavin Creel died Monday. The Tony winner was 48 years old. He had a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

He received a Tony for his performance in "Hello, Dolly" and nominations for “Hair” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

Creel was set to perform in Worcester next March as part of Broadway in Worcester’s season. The group's founder said Creel had real talent.

"But most recently, I saw him in a show that he actually starred in and wrote. It was about his experience over the course of a year, spending time in and I just feel so appreciative to have seen a work that was so deeply personal in his life and also one that he was so proud to share with the world. And we all walked away from that experience thinking Gavin Creel can do everything right. He's he's a terrific songwriter, a terrific actor, incredible performer. Yeah, it was an opportunity for him to really show the world everything he could do in that one piece."

Creel co-created the nonprofit Broadway Impact. It played a key role in mobilizing theater artists and fans to support marriage equality.

Broadway in Worcester said they will announce a new performer at a later date. Customers can either keep their tickets for the new performance or get a refund.