SOUND OFF: GLEE Swings From The Chandelier & Takes Us To Church In Its Penultimate Week Before It Sails Away

By: Pat Cerasaro Mar. 13, 2015

Today we are showcasing the many highlights of the second-to-last GLEE ever.

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Come Sail Away
"Listen to your heart / When he's calling to you," Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) passionately emoted via Roxette in song near the start of the penultimate GLEE episode ever - with appreciable assistance from none other than fan favorite guest star and recognizable GLEE player Jessie St. James (Jonathan Groff). All along, for six seasons, GLEE has explored the journeys a group of MISFITS who banded together through music at an Ohio high school named McKinley High have traversed - some have stayed, some have gone to explore life in the big city (New York, Los Angeles, etc.), but all have remained New Directions at heart. Always. And, now, the heartbreaking reality that the adventure is coming to an end begins to set in for gleeks around the world. Yes, indeed, this is it, kids - but, in typical GLEE fashion, there is no doubt among the devoted remaining fans that it will go out with a bang; and, most likely, with some spectacular showstoppers, too.

Boasting a barrelful of cheesy 80s hits and some recent radio gems, too, tonight's "We Built This City" episode - written by Telly Kousakis and directed by Joaquin Sedillo - reminded us of the glories of GLEE's past; drama, comedy, songs, surprises, social commentary, heart-tugging twists, victories, failures and much more. Most of all, though, we were given a competition-based storyline allowing for ample musical moments - and, at the end of the day, that's what gleeks are always clamoring for; the more OUTRAGEOUS the presentation and performers enacting it all, the better. And, tonight, we were provided with a plethora of such fabulosity - with some Broadway mise en scene, to boot. Of course, Rachel returned to the Big Apple to pursue her big Broadway dreams yet again, cheered on by confidant and ever-reliable best friend Kurt (Chris Colfer), while Mr. Schue (Matthew Morrison) came back to the halls of McKinley and instructed the choral corps in how to secure their competitive goals - or at least give it their best shot. And, shot is exactly right - out of a cannon; with the glitter bombs to match. As we soon discovered, the exclamatatory "It's raining glitter!" was only the beginning.

In "Another flare-up of [her] chronic hate disorder," Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) returned to her reliably nefarious roots, and expectedly so (did anyone really ever think she would follow through on her peace-making ways shown in recent weeks? Not bloody likely). Yet, in a delicious twist, Mr. Schue got to Sue first - and her hair. Subsequently, t cue-ball coiffed Sue Sylvester was certainly something none of us ever expected to see on GLEE, proving yet again there are still a few surprises left to witness in this party as it comes to a close. But, more than the story, this was an ep all about the performances - and what wow-worthy ones we were presented with; and how! Plus, the new New Directions proved victorious, taking home the Sectionals trophy - and deservedly so (even if it necessitated a bit of evil assistance from Sue herself; actually, more than a bit).

Vocal Arenaline led off with a spirited and silvery mash-up of two recognizable 80s mega-hits, Starship's "We Built This City" and Toni Basil's "Mickey" complete with more sparkles than the glitter bombs viewed earlier in the entertaining ep. To counteract the greed era's spectacle, the New Directions took the exact opposite approach - and successfully so - shining bright with a trio of sparsely presented and poetic tunes, including two current hits along with an epic and ubiquitous vintage anthem for good measure. Surely, it was only a matter of time before unforgettably huge Styx power ballad "Come Sail Away" made its appearance on GLEE - and, just in time, as the circumstances may be. Nevertheless, it wouldn't be GLEE without a nod to the contemporary and two smashes that have been virtually everywhere over the course of the last several months were given more than merely due diligence byway of Sia's "Chandelier" and Hozier's "Take Me To Church", both ably led by Roderick (Noah Guthrie) with vocally splendrous aid from Jane (Samantha Marie Ware). Sure, it would have been great to have had the old GLEE club join the ranks for the performance, but that would break the rules - and rules can be stretched sometimes, but never broken. Well, almost never.

With one of the final hours we will ever spend with GLEE, a reverential energy informed the events of the ep (especially the New Directions performance number) and we could not have asked for more than this quintet of showstoppers to delight in and devour - not to mention a little snatch of Mr. Mister's "Broken Wings", as well. Bruised and battered at times, GLEE took flight one more time before the very last night.
Of note, be sure to stay tuned to BroadwayWorld for a very special SOUND OFF World Premiere Exclusive song premiering right here early Monday morning bringing together the GLEE universe with one of Broadway's biggest smashes one last time before GLEE says goodbye... for good. Till then....

Photo Credits: FOX

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