FLASH SPECIAL: The Many Reasons Why Aaron Tveit Is Great

Today we are presenting a spotlight on one of the most popular Broadway/Hollywood crossover stars of the decade who is quickly rising up the ranks on stages and on screens around the world with his impressive work in an vast array of projects on Broadway, in Hollywood and on TV - exemplified tomorrow night in the premiere of his new USA series, GRACELAND - the affable and acclaimed Aaron Tveit.

He's So Alive

More than any other theatre-bred actor who has emerged in the last couple of years, Aaron Tveit has made a major mark on many in just a handful of roles, and, now, with the premiere of GRACELAND on USA tomorrow night he is poised to cement his place in the entertainment universe as a star of the first order to an international audience far beyond the stages of Broadway and even the soundstages of Hollywood. After essaying various replacement roles in RENT and HAIRSPRAY on tour and then starring in long-running Broadway hits such as HAIRSPRAY (as Link Larkin) and WICKED (as Fiyero) as well as originating roles in the new musicals SAVED! and THE THREE MUSKETEERS, both presented at regional theaters, Tveit won acclaim for his commanding and unforgettable performance in the eventually Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical NEXT TO NORMAL by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, for which he won the Helen Hayes Award in 2009. Next, NEXT TO NORMAL finally made it to the Great White Way that same year and Tveit impressed audiences and critics alike with his turn in the daring and inventive musical success d'estime. Tveit would go on to headline his next show, in a daunting central role that he made positively dazzling byway of Marc Shaiman, Scott Wittman and Terrence McNally's CATCH ME IF YOU CAN the following year. Just prior to that, he would also briefly return to his starring role of Roger in RENT for a special Hollywood Bowl concert production, directed by Neil Patrick Harris, showing his enviable and exceptional versatility. After all, both NEXT TO NORMAL and CATCH ME IF YOU CAN took a number of years to develop and Tveit stayed with them for many - and, in many cases, all - of the steps along the way on their respective journeys, workshop to Broadway, and made both characters his own in a uniquely entertaining and powerful manner, at an age betraying his years. Yet, his fierce dedication to his craft is only one of the many, many reasons why Aaron Tveit, is so, well, great.

Then, there are the TV and movie projects that he is quickly becoming known around the world for - namely: LES MISERABLES, and, now, GRACELAND. Of course, Tom Hooper's multi-Academy Award-winning movie musical adaptation of the long-running Tony Award-winning hit LES MISERABLES offered Tveit the chance to impress - and impress he certainly did; and how - with his fiery and passionate portrayal of the tragic Enjorlas. So, too, has he committed stupendous screen work in the independent feature GIRL WALKS INTO A BAR and also PREMIUM RUSH - both just last year - as well as lighting up the screen opposite James Franco in the Alan Ginsberg biopic HOWL before that. While many teens and tweens may have first gotten to know him on GOSSIP GIRL in his recurring role of Tripp Vanderbilt, virtually the whole world has now sampled his copious talents thanks to the mega-hit that is LES MISERABLES. So, now what's next? GRACELAND, of course!

Additionally, Tveit just instantly sold out his set of 54 Below shows last month - as well as the added performances - and a CD release of the much-buzzed-about event is forthcoming, adding yet another area of entertainment for the endlessly gifted performer as set to conquer: the music world.

With the premiere of GRACELAND, Tveit is ready to ascend to the level of the very stars sung so glowingly about in LES MISERABLES as a talented triple-threat superstar of theatre, film, TV, music and beyond.

GRACELAND airs Thursdays at 10/9c on USA.

Butter Outta Cream

So, now, let's take a look at some of the many reasons why Aaron Tveit is so impossibly great, excelling in all areas of entertainment with ease.

First up, get a glimpse at what all the hubbub is about with a look at USA's new undercover agent-themed series GRACELAND.

Also, take a peek behind-the-scenes of GRACELAND with Aaron, fellow thespian Daniel Sunjata and other members of the cast and crew.

Plus, sample a scene from the pilot episode of GRACELAND featuring Tveit, Sunjata and company, airing tomorrow.

Aaron Tveit and Kerry Ellis join together for "As Long As You're Mine" from the Oz-themed musical hit WICKED at BROADWAY IN BRYANT PARK in 2008.

Experience this exceptional performance by the original cast of NEXT TO NORMAL on the Tony Awards in 2009.

Enjoy Aaron accompanied by the composer/lyricists of CATCH ME IF YOU CAN themselves, Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman, joining up with Tom Wopat for the father/son duet "Butter Outta Cream".

Also, get a taste of Tveit's stirring and sweet take on "Seven Wonders" from CATCH ME IF YOU CAN, as well.

Tveit returns to his role of Roger in RENT at the Hollywood Bowl in 2010 with a truly rocking "One Song Glory".

Benj Pasek & Justin Paul's idiosyncratic "Along The Way" is given special flair by Aaron in this live performance.

Next, check out Aaron and the cast Tom Hooper's feature film adaptation of LES MISERABLES performing an exhilarating musical medley at the Academy Awards ceremony earlier this year.

Witness Aaron's sterling surprising and ingratiating supporting performance in the addictive internet-premiered film project GIRL WALKS INTO A BAR, available to view in full below.

Aaron performs Taylor Swift's recent hit "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" at 54 Below earlier this Spring to the crowd's very apparent rapturous delight and awe - with ensuing enthusiastic response.

As a special bonus, enjoy this audience-capture clip of Norbert Leo Butz and Aaron Tveit teaming up for a live rendition of the CATCH ME IF YOU CAN showstopping curtain closer, "Strange But True". Now, that's some serious (or, in this case, not so serious) rapport - and, also, some ad-libbing gone bonkers!

So, what Aaron Tveit performance thus far in his career is the one you simply can't forget? What was the initial role you remember seeing him in that made you first take notice of his myriad talents? With GRACELAND premiering this week, the world is about to be introduced to one of Broadway's best - and one of the most talented entertainers on the rise in the entire universe today.

Photo Credits: USA