FLASH FRIDAY: Broadway, Baby! Darren Criss Goes From GLEE To Glam In HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH

By: Pat Cerasaro Feb. 20, 2015

Today we are celebrating this week's big announcement of GLEE breakout star Darren Criss joining Broadway's HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH.

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Like a beacon in the night, Darren Criss arrived upon the GLEE scene and virtually stole the show. No small feat. The white-hot musical dramedy series was at its pop culture peak and Criss appeared just as the excitement for the series was ramping up to its most extreme extent thus far. As a direct result, Criss along with acapella group The Warblers racked up millions in sales and cemented themselves as the interpreters of one of the most iconic and ubiquitous GLEE cover songs ever presented - their positively electric take on Katy Perry's bubblegum pop smash "Teenage Dream". Of course, later on in the series several years later Criss would return to the catchy tune to present it in an altogether different fashion as a subdued and heartrending ballad following the breakup of his character with longtime partner Kurt. Indeed, Klaine - that is, Blaine (Criss) and Kurt (Chris Colfer) - have remained a favorite couple of gleeks around the world since their courtship began and it appears as though they may wind up together once again by the final scenes of the series if the current dramatic trajectory as it appears to be heading plays out as expected. Nevertheless, one thing GLEE is undoubtedly reliable for is its fair share of surprises, so whether or not that will ultimately come to fruition remains to be seen. Yet, whatever the case, we have had a slew of stupendous songs to cherish over the years and today we revisit a number of them.

Darren Criss's career isn't all about GLEE, though - not even close. Starting off as a member of the American Conservatory Theater in the Young Conservatory program at the age of 10, Criss made a mark early on as a participant in productions of the acclaimed regional theater 42nd Street Moon, who collectively showcased the young star in a wide range of productions including THE MUSIC MAN, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, FANNY, DO I HEAR A WALTZ?, BABES IN ARMS, THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK and more. As a teenager, Criss was accepted as a musical theatre major at the University Of Michigan, joining both the Basement Arts organization and also studying abroad during this time. It was at college that Criss formed the foundation for what would become ongoing theatre troupe and production company Team StarKid and developed several original musicals there - including the breakout hit parody musical based on J.K. Rowling's HARRY POTTER series titled A VERY POTTER MUSICAL, as well as two successful sequels. At Michigan, Criss also essayed roles in productions such as A FEW GOOD MEN, PRIDE & PREJUDICE and THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN. Then came GLEE.

While commanding a 12+ million-plus audience during the heyday of GLEE, Criss made the unexpected move of taking on a very limited three-week stint in the Broadway revival of Frank Loesser's Pulitzer Prize-winning musical HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING, committing to a role originated in the production by none other than Hollywood and Broadway mega-star Daniel Radcliffe. The performance was a massive hit among audiences and critics alike, making Criss a Broadway star overnight with his very first performance. Now, with this week's news of Criss stepping into the treacherously high heels of gender-bended East Berlin rock goddess Hedwig Schmidt in John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask's iconic rock musical HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH, all eyes are on Criss to see if he can match the unforgettable work of original star Mitchell, whom he will replace when he begins performances in late April, as well as the Tony Award-winning originator of the role in the revival, Neil Patrick Harris - not to mention Andrew Rannells and Michael C. Hall, who also have recently spent considerable time as the titular star in the rapturously received revival. Will Criss erase memories of Mitchell, Harris and company and make the demanding role all his own? Time will tell - but given all he has accomplished in such a short time so far in his career, the prospect seems more than merely promising.

Don't Stop Me Now
So, now, let's recount some of the career highlights of Darren Criss thus far.
First up, the clip that was seen - and felt - around the world, "Teenage Dream".
Next, Criss tackles titanic Queen rock ballad "Don't Stop Me Now".
Criss joins The Warblers for a live cover of a Train hit.
Criss and GLEE co-star Matthew Morrison rock out in a special set.
Paul McCartney never sounded quite as sonorous as he does with Darren doing the duties.
Now, Criss takes on WEST SIDE STORY's legendary "Something's Coming".
Also, Criss gets GREASE-y with "Beauty School Dropout".
Check out Darren Criss on Broadway in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING.
View Darren Criss and original ALADDIN star Lea Salonga in an epic impromptu duet.
Peruse Darren Criss tributing a current Broadway hit, ALADDIN, with another Alan Menken marvel.

Enjoy Darren Criss joining Michael Feinstein for a recent jazz-tastic Frank Sinatra medley.

Criss revisits "Teenage Dream" in a highly emotional manner on GLEE.

The spectacular "Opening Doors" sequence from SIX BY SONDHEIM featuring Criss and Sondheim himself!

Lastly, Criss and Lea Michele take on Sondheim's "Broadway Baby" last season on GLEE.

What has been your absolute favorite GLEE performance by Darren Criss to date? Furthermore, what do you expect from his casting in HEDWIG & THE ANGRY INCH? A performer with such a multi-generational appeal and generally appealing air is likely to win over the hearts of anybody lucky enough to see him in the show and have him, well, spit on them - or, better yet, share a French kiss. After all, Hedwig is that kind of girl - and Darren Criss is just the right guy for the job.

Photo Credits: FOX, etc.

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