SOUND OFF: GLEE Finds Its FUNNY GIRL, With Help From Idina

A FUNNY GIRL theme and returning guest star Idina Menzel? What more could any self-respecting Broadway baby - or, better yet, gleek - possibly ask for in an episode of Glee 4.0? Well, last night, we got some out of control college antics - including hallway oil slides and the "Harlem Shake" in a fountain - sage wisdom via Coach Beiste (Dot Marie Jones) and Mr. Schue (Matt Morrison) and even an original tune co-written by AVENUE Q's Tony Award-winning Jeff Marx, to name but a few fabulous features of the show. Yes, last night's Glee was a continued effortlessly fun frolic and easy, breezy ride in the ever-entertaining musical series, acting as a sweet salve to last week's heart-stopping school shooting and ensuing Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) drama and temporary firing.

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"Some dreams are bigger than others. Me being on Broadway? That's a big dream. Me being on Broadway in FUNNY GIRL, as Fanny Brice, inheriting the mantel of my idol, Miss Barbra Streisand? That's the culmination of every dream I've ever had." And that, ladies and gentlemen, is Miss Rachel Berry. While we have been building to this moment all along, it seemed absolutely the time to present the pivotal first Broadway audition by the self-professed "the unknown Jewish girl from Ohio," that we have been rooting for all along. Hello, gorgeous? Hello, Lea - and, last night, Idina, too.

While we have previously been treated to the iconic FUNNY GIRL Act One closer "Don't Rain On My Parade" byway of Ms. Michele, both on the show itself and also live on the Tony Awards in 2010, as well as a stupendous "My Man" (which appears in the film version) - without even mentioning Ms. Menzel's take on the title theme from the feature film adaptation of FUNNY GIRL, while on the topic - even more material from the superb Jule Styne/Bob Merrill score would be more than welcome - particularly "The Music That Makes Me Dance". Who knows, Michele may very well essay the notoriously tricky part after all should an actual Broadway revival ever materialize. Lest we forget, a revival was bandied about and even announced, set to star SIX FEET UNDER star Lauren Ambrose, in 2011, before being cancelled well before out-of-town tryouts were to begin. Stranger things have happened. "Watch out, Broadway, here she is! - if not Rachel, maybe Lea. She certainly has shown she may very well have the stuff.

"Sweet Dreams", written by Ross Maxwell and directed by Elodie Keane, put the art in party with a largely split-focused storyline that has become quite commonplace and de rigeur on the newest iteration of the constantly evolving creature that is Glee - more or less half-focused on Rachel and her NYADA audition for a Broadway revival of FUNNY GIRL, with a witty parallel plot presented depicting Finn (Cory Monteith) and Puck (Mark Salling) pledging at a college fraternity - in the latter case, complete with a raucous rendition of the Beastie Boys's "Fight For Your Right (To Party)", to boot. Also, back at McKinley, the romantic triangle of Marley (Melissa Benoist)/Jake (Jacob Artist)/Ryder (Blake Jenner) continued and Mr. Schue gave us a welcome lesson in life and music as only he can do, while mending ties to Finn as he hits another hurdle (and real-life actor Monteith enters rehab).

As far as the music quotient of the episode went, the highlight of many strong showstoppers was undoubtedly the long-awaited re-teaming of Lea Michele and Idina Menzel - aka Rachel and her biological mother Shelby Corcoran - with yet another unexpected, but positively stupendous vocal pairing. Emeli Sandi's current ear-catching "Next To Me" was given a thrilling, enlivened iteration - solo piano accompanied, only - making a major mark in the tradition of previous Michele/Menzel mega-duets like "Poker Face", "I Dreamed A Dream" and "Somewhere". They were both simply flawless - and oh so fierce. Funny girls? Funny divas.

While the high mark hit by "Next To Me" went unmatched - and how could anything top that? - Rachel ran for a touchdown with an emotionally-charged and pleasantly pleasing recreation of iconic original Glee standout track, Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'". While Rachel may not end up in FUNNY GIRL on Broadway - and, in all honesty, this was an unusual song choice even considering the oft-outlandish premises seen on Glee - it is impossible to deny the powerful sway imbued into the song by Michele (and also dream back-up, in this instance). Apparently, the gamble paid off since she made it through to the next round of auditions.

After all, if FUNNY GIRL doesn't work out, there are always other options. As Rachel herself remarked, "You know, Fanny was just a dream. I read on BroadwayWorld.com that they are doing a production of SWEENEY TODD at the Pasadena Playhouse, and, I don't know, I think Johanna could be a good role for me." Note: while that production is not actually happening as far as we know, this marks two BroadwayWorld references in one episode (including the opening clip replay from earlier this season mentioning us, of course). As if it wasn't already obvious by now, BroadwayWorld is your one-stop site for all things GLEE - now and always.

In addition to the three aforementioned musical numbers, last night's Glee also boasted two wholly original tunes in the guise of Marley's newly revealed songwriting penchant played out in full, proper - "You Have More Friends Than You Know" and "Outcast". The ep closer, "Outcast", gave off a similar angsty vibe to that of Glee 2.0 original anthem "Loser Like Me", while Jeff Marx and Mervyn Warren's sensitive and endearing Trevor Project contribution "You Have More Friends Than You Know" struck all the right chords. Marley, Unique (Alex Newell), Sam (Chord Overstreet) and Blaine (Darren Criss) made for a formidable vocal foursome and the exquisite onscreen reveal of the orchestra during the sequence made for an even more uplifting climax to the lovely performance - a wonderful Glee moment coming at just the right time in S4. "It's gonna be OK," indeed. Furthermore, what do the rest of Marley's songs sound like? Will we hear any more of them this season? Perhaps Glee will take a page from SMASH and Nashville and present more original songs in S5 if these two tunes are as successful as some past originals (lest we forget Brittany and Artie's unforgettable "My Cup") - that is, should the series be renewed. On that accord, all signs point to yes that FOX will greenlight more GLEE, as it remains one of FOX's highest-rated scripted series, nearly ninety episodes into its run.

So, next week? In "Lights Out", Sue Sylvester makes her return to McKinley High and Jane Lynch gives faithful fans and gleeks a preview of her upcoming Broadway debut in the James Lapine-directed revival of ANNIE in the form of "Little Girls" (premiering right here on BroadwayWorld shortly, as a matter of fact) while Queen's "We Will Rock You" is given grand New Directions treatment. Some Billy Joel is in store, too! Yet, what about the CATFISH subplot involving Ryder? What about the future for Rachel and Finn? Will Brittany graduate? Indeed, there's a whole lot to look forward to as Glee 4.0 triumphantly clears the first of the final four hours of the season.

Photo Credits: FOX