"I don't want to see the spectacle that is Michael, I want to be the spectacle." And so goes the motto of GLEE giving Michael Jackson his musical due. Much like MJ brought together the worlds or pop and R&B and broke down racial barriers through his music and message, GLEE set the stage by placing our favorite gleeks in a battle with the Warblers - not unlike the Sharks vs. Jets of the recent WEST SIDE STORY tribute. And it was quite a sight to see - and hear. Like the memorable Britney Spears, Lady Gaga and Fleetwood Mac tributes before it, last night's "Michael" episode of GLEE was the realization of a life-long dream for many gleeks in the audience and the epic convergence of two pop culture dynasties. Series creator and show musical sequence mastermind Ryan Murphy penned the episode himself and the razor sharp dialogue was as biting and bizarre as always - in a good way. A very good way. And, the musical numbers? Even better. Filled with fun facts relating to the man in the mirror being honored and with more musical numbers than one could envision even fitting into an hour of network TV with story, too - and what plot developments - once again, GLEE made us remember that this is our very own spot in the entertainment universe, right at corner of Hollywood and Broadway. The joy that standing on that corner can make us all feel through sheer osmosis is transcendentally exciting, and, even more than that, exquisitely exciting. My, oh my - how we have missed thee, GLEE! True, it's only been a few weeks, but Season Three has been so consistently strong as to make each and every episode unmissable thus far and each pause positively interminable. After all, in just the last episode alone we were left with three marriage proposals! No more scattershot scenarios ala Season Two or heavy focus on the adults like Season One, Season Three is all about the cast of characters that comprise New Directions - and, Ma Ma Se, Ma Ma Sa, thank goodness that is the main subject being taught at McKinley High this semester. "Bad" to "Ben" to "Black Or White"; "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" and "Smooth Criminal", "Scream" and more, GLEE's MJ tribute was a true OMGLEE moment.
When GLEE returns on January 31, The New Directions-Warblers rivalry gets serious as Regionals near; Kurt and Rachel hear about their NYADA applications; and things heat up between Sam and Mercedes. Click below to check out Naya Rivera (Santana) and Grant Gustin's (Sebastian) performance of 'Smooth Criminal' from the special Michael Jackson tribute episode!
When GLEE returns on January 31, The New Directions-Warblers rivalry gets serious as Regionals near; Kurt and Rachel hear about their NYADA applications; and things heat up between Sam and Mercedes. Check out photos from the episode below!
The casts of FOX's hottest shows recently attended the 2012 All Star Party as a part of the TCA Winter Press Tour to promote the 2012 season. In attendance at the party were Broradway favorites from the cast of GLEE including Matthew Morrison, Lea Michele, and more! Check out photos form the festivities below!
As first reported on E!Online, actor Grant Gustin, who made his debut as the character 'Sebastian' in this season's GLEE, will become a series regular when the show returns for Season Four. Gustin played a member of the Glee club's rival singing group, The Warbler's and became a very controversial character when he came between the blossoming romance of Blaine and Kurt.
The long-awaited return of Trouty Mouth himself - Chord Overstreet; singing Toby Keith's "Red Solo Cup", no less - was only the beginning of the big moves and even bigger events of last night's epic GLEE "Sectionals" episode. Yes, this year's sectionals competition certainly spelled a vast departure from less successful years' past and seeing and hearing New Directions taking on the vaunted catalog of Michael Jackson was the convergence of two true blue pop culture institutions coming together and making musical magic at long, long last - from "ABC" to "Man In The Mirror". Michael's sister Janet got her hotly anticipated GLEE treatment, as well, in the form of a syncopated and spirited "Control", during the stylishly executed Jackson tribute sequence. For the Broadway babies amongst the gleeks, we also were treated to an EVITA homage from Ohio's rival glee group, the Unitards, led by GLEE PROJECT's Lindsay Pearce. In addition to Finn and Rachel's discovery of White Chocolate (aka Sam) making ends meet as a stripper - as well as their subsequent reclaiming of him back to McKinley High and to the ranks of New Directions - "Sectionals" proved to be a strong and satisfying end to the journey of Season Three: Part 1 and next week's Christmas episode seems poised to provide ample entertainment value over the rushed tying up of loose dramatic ends as the series prepares to go on a brief hiatus until February. "Sectionals" displayed the continued rise to prominence - musical, dramatic and otherwise - of some featured players to the top of the star ranks and afforded Chord Overstreet and Darren Criss in particular with some delectable dramatic and musical moments - providing a distinct parallel to off-stage/off-show realities; Criss having become the biggest GLEE breakout star of all in a very short span of time - with Harry Shum, Jr. and Jenna Ushkowitz given solo moments to shine, as well. So, too, did Dianna Agron get her dramatic due at long last and her bumpy and grumpy story arc for Season 3 seems to be finding its footing and justification in the overall themes of the consistently strong season - her particularly well-delivered and delicately measured scene with Idina Menzel's Shelby (the adoptive mother to Quinn and Puck's baby, Beth) being a dramatic highlight of the season so far. So, too, was Finn and Blaine's scene in the gym an understated and sensitive reading of this episode's particularly smart and sharp script. Lea Michele continues to get short shrift in the musical department, but her leading of Fun.'s "We Are Young" was a welcome reminder of her golden instrument. So, while there were definitely many dramatic moments to remember in "Sectionals", the music - as always and forever - was the central delight and the payoff of the pairing of GLEE and the music of Michael Jackson (and Janet) was generally well worth the wait.
In tonight's episode of FOX's GLEE, the kids prepare for opening night of the school musical, and several of them contemplate taking the next step with their significant other. Meanwhile, Coach Beiste takes a big chance in her personal life; and Finn has high hopes when a college football coach scouts the school's team.
Check out photos and audio clips from the episode below!
Darren Criss will be making his Broadway debut in HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING this January, but in the mean time, he's still playing Blaine on the FOX musical show GLEE. Blaine visits the Dalton Academy Warblers in Tuesday's episode - check out the group taking on Billy Joel's 'Uptown Girl,' joined by WEST SIDE STORY tour alum Grant Gustin, below!
In the November 8 episode of GLEE, the New Directions prepare for opening night of the school musical, and several of them contemplate taking the next step with their significant others. The episode marks the debut of new Warbler and Season 3 villain Grant Gustin who will sing Billy Joel's 'Uptown Girl.' while the New Directions sing the best of WEST SIDE STORY. Check out full tracks from the episode below!
TVLine.com just featured a first look at the villain of GLEE's third season, Sebastian. Played by theatre veteran Grant Gustin, Sebastian will come between Blain (Darren Criss) and Kurt (Chris Colfer) this season.
According to TVLine.com, a new man might be coming between Blain (Darren Criss) and Kurt (Chris Colfer) this season. Theatre veteran Grant Gustin will play Sebastian, a gay Dalton Academy Warbler who is interested in Blaine.
Grant Gustin, the actor who played Baby John on the recent national tour of WEST SIDE STORY, has joined the cast of GLEE. The Hollywood Reporter states that Gustin's role will be 'Sebastian, a gay Dalton Academy Warbler who has an eye for Darren Criss' Blaine.'
A near-perfect blend of story, lyrics, score and movement, the terrific 2009 Broadway revival of WEST SIDE STORY--now playing at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Orange County through September 18--bursts forth with a kind of style and intelligence that arguably reiterates its place as one of the greatest musicals of all time. This stirring, energetic reboot--spearheaded by the late original book author Arthur Laurents--has been smartly touched up with an awareness of current sensibilities and a healthy dose of heightened reality. Do yourself a favor and see this important stage musical while it's still here.
Excitement pulses through The Colonial Theatre from the opening notes of the Prologue and song after classic song by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. With revamped book by Arthur Laurents and Jerome Robbins' choreography, the National Tour of the 2009 Broadway revival that ran for 748 performances settles into Boston for a four-week engagement.
More than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. The national tour of Broadway's current smash-hit revival kicked off to rave reviews at The Fisher Theatre in Detroit on September 30 and is now touring the country. We've got the first look at video from the show!
More than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. The national tour of Broadway's current smash-hit revival kicked off to rave reviews at The Fisher Theatre in Detroit on September 30.
More than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. The national tour of Broadway's current smash-hit revival kicked off to rave reviews at The Fisher Theatre in Detroit, Mich. on September 30; and this groundbreaking new production of WEST SIDE STORY will play San Diego CIVIC THEATRE in a Broadway/San Diego ~ A Nederlander Presentation on January 4-9, 2011. Tickets go on sale to the general public Sunday November 7 at 10AM!
More than fifty years ago one musical changed theater forever. From the first note to the final breath, WEST SIDE STORY soars as the greatest love story of all time. The national tour of Broadway's current smash-hit revival kicked off to rave reviews at The Fisher Theatre in Detroit, Mich. on September 30; and this groundbreaking new production of WEST SIDE STORY will play San Diego CIVIC THEATRE in a Broadway/San Diego ~ A Nederlander Presentation on January 4-9, 2011. Tickets go on sale to the general public Sunday November 7 at 10AM!
Broadway/L.A. and the Producers of the national tour of the current smash hit Broadway production of WEST SIDE STORY are proud to announce that, due to popular demand, the show has extended its Los Angeles engagement by two weeks. Added performances December 21st through January 2nd, 2011 will go on sale to the public on Sunday October 17th at 10am. WEST SIDE STORY will begin performances at the Pantages Theatre on November 30, 2010, and will now play a strictly-limited five-week holiday season engagement through January 2, 2011.