Special Event – ARTS by George! An Evening with Darren Criss at Center for the Arts at George Mason University

Tony, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award winner Darren Criss headlines the 20th annual ARTS by George! in a special concert featuring songs from throughout his wildly eclectic career as both songwriter and performer, including those from Fox’s hit TV show Glee, StarKid Productions, and the Broadway shows in which he’s starred. Criss most recently starred in and received the 2025 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for the critically acclaimed Broadway hit Maybe Happy Ending directed by Michael Arden. Playing at the Belasco Theater, the show opened to unanimous rave reviews including The New York Times Critic's Pick and won the 2025 Tony Award for Best Musical. Other Broadway credits include the titular role of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2015), How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (2012), and the 2022 revival of David Mamet’s seminal play American Buffalo alongside Laurence Fishburne and Sam Rockwell. In 2018 his work in Ryan Murphy’s The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story earned him a Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild, and Critics Choice Award. He was most recently seen starring in Netflix’s hit series Hollywood, for which he also served as executive producer. Don’t miss the chance to experience the “charming, spirited and wonderfully funny” (Entertainment Weekly) Darren Criss live!

An Evening with Darren Criss is part of the annual ARTS by George! benefit, supporting College of Visual and Performing Arts student scholarships, the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. Benefit tickets also include a variety of student showcases, a buffet dinner, and a post-performance reception onstage with the artist. Learn more about the benefit and purchase tickets at artsbygeorge.gmu.edu.