Gavin Creel, once again, lit up the marquee of the St. James Theater on Monday.

Inside the theater, friends, family and fans gathered for a public celebration of the life and legacy of the Tony Award-winning actor and activist.

“It is impossible to imagine any scenario in Gavin’s absence that could even come close to capturing the breadth and magnitude of his presence,” actress and singer Sara Bareilles, a friend of Creel, said.

Creel died in late September at 48 years old from a rare form of cancer. His Broadway career spanned nearly two decades, earning him three Tony Award-nominations, one resulting in a win for his role in “Hello, Dolly!”

But people who knew him said it wasn’t just his star that shined brightly.

“You could say it was his talent, and that would be enough. That would be a marvel and a legacy, that alone, but more than that was his absolute, deep, unending kindness to everyone he met,” actress Solea Pfeiffer said.

“Gavin was such a light, this light that shined down on so many of us, that every one of us was lucky to know him,” “Hair” co-star Jay Armstrong Johnson said.

For those who knew him and for those who didn’t, Creel for one last time made an audience laugh, cry and enjoy his love of music he was able to share with the world.

“All it takes is a big voice and an infectious spirit and a handsome face and you would have followed him anywhere, and he had that in spades,” longtime friend Eddie Shapiro said.

Above all, friends said his legacy is his kindness and empathy, and his death is a reminder that life is precious.

“Know that we are on this Earth for such a short amount of time. The fact that we heard those stories about him at the end of his time, and being grateful, and being unapologetic and happy and not regretful,” friend and actor Norm Lewis said.

Theaters on Broadway will dim their lights Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. in Creel’s memory.