SPOTLIGHT ON THE 2011 TONY AWARDS: DAY 12 - Matt Morrison Makes The Most Of His Music

As a super-special Spring extension of BroadwayWorld's SOUND OFF column, every day until the Tony Awards on June 12 we will be presenting a spectacular new entry in the SPOTLIGHT ON THE 2011 TONY AWARDS series featuring a particularly entertaining, interesting, relevant and exciting Tony Awards-related clip from the last sixty-three years of the ceremonies (and subsequent seasons on Broadway) with a rundown and commentary on the sights, sounds and showmanship on display in each carefully chosen selection - all, of course, coming in anticipation of Broadway's biggest night, which will be broadcast on CBS this year, as always. Once again this year, BroadwayWorld is the official home of the 2011 Tony Awards and we will also be featuring exclusive interviews, articles, photos, video content, interactive features and more in the coming days and weeks leading up to the event so be sure to check back daily for your theatre fix!

Today, just in time for the Season Two finale of his smash hit television series GLEE, we are turning our Tony Award spotlight on one of the biggest Broadway stars of the 21st century known beyond his GLEE affiliation for originating roles in the Tony-winning Best Musical HAIRSPRAY, as well as in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA and the Lincoln Center Revival of SOUTH PACIFIC - a multi-talented performer who also has a solo CD in stores this month - I am speaking, of course, of the one and only triple-threat known as Matt Morrison. Plus, we have a special performance from last year's Tony Awards featuring Matt taking on the Sondheim/Styne gem "All I Need Is The Girl", from GYPSY - and a little Lea Michele, too, to boot!

This Nearly Was - No, Wait: It Is - His

Kristin Chenoweth. Idina Menzel. Lea Michele. Matt Morrison. What do these names have in common? Yes, GLEE - but, what else? Perhaps, their presence as the sole crossover Broadway stars of the musical theatre in the last few years? Surely, GLEE has helped them achieve worldwide notoriety - but, us Broadway babies have been enjoying their plentiful gifts for over a decade in most cases (the young Ms. Michele excluded). From his unforgettable commanding of Link Larkin in HAIRSPRAY to his touching and truly transcendent Fabrizio in THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA to his sensitive and strong Lt. Cable in Bartlett Sher's SOUTH PACIFIC at Lincoln Center opposite Kelli O'Hara, Matt Morrison has more than proven his worth as one of the finest leading men we have on Broadway today. And, now, thanks to GLEE and a burgeoning solo album career (album in stores and on iTunes now), the rest of the world is aware of his exceptional vocal prowess, awe-inspiring chorographic athleticism and ingratiating screen and stage presence, as well. So, let's take a look at the best of Matt Morrison and the Tony-winning musicals and revivals that he has been associated with over the years.

First, check out this performance of the original Broadway cast of HAIRSPRAY, with a Tony-winning Best Score by Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman and featuring three Tony-winning lead performances in the form Harvey Fierstein, Marissa Jaret Winokur and, winning in Featured, Dick Latessa, taken from 2003.

Next, check out Matt Morrison alongside Kelli O'Hara and that year's Tony-winning Best Actress Victoria Clark, performing a montage of material from Adam Guettel's Tony-winning and oh-so-succulent score for THE LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA.

Here we have Kelli O'Hara and Paulo Szot leading the company of the stunning revival of SOUTH PACIFIC, as introduced by Harry Connick. Jr. at the 2008 Tony Awards.

Finally, we have Matt Morrison taking the stage, singing solo, at last year's Tony Awards to perform "All I Need Is The Girl" from GYPSY. What can't this suave dynamo do? Also, as a special GLEE bonus, stay tuned to check out Lea Michele taking on "Don't Rain On My Parade" from the same Tony show!

Check your crystal ball and I'm sure you will find Matt Morrison winning his very own Tony Award some day very soon!

That's all for today. Be sure to stay tuned to BroadwayWorld for all things Tony Awards and subscribe to this column to be the very first to check out the clips, commentary and take part in the conversation in our deluxe toast to the one and only Antoinette Perry every day until June 12 - and, especially, on that day! Until then…

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