Matt Morris News

Today we are taking a look and a listen to the winter finale of Fox's hit musical comedy series GLEE and its accompanying soundtrack, GLEE: THE CHRISTMAS ALBUM, both of which premiered this week. 'Tis the season for all good GLEE gifts and if a special Christmas episode - 'A Very Glee Christmas' - just wasn't enough, then the two recently released soundtrack albums can surely fuel your fire until the post-Superbowl special episode in the new year!

What has made Season Two of GLEE must-see TV above all else? Who is the newest star soon to soar to the loftiest heights? Who has 'it' in a cast of ver-it-able all-consuming it-itis? Clue A: In just two performances and a handful of scenes in a couple of appearances he has made his star power shine, and on last night's especially strong episode of the wildly inconsistent second season of GLEE it is now safe to say that by any measure whatsoever a blazing star has been born, by any measure of Broadway, Hollywood, or anywhere else. Clue B: Find out what his name is, what songs to download, and some recent glimpses of his sure-to-be meteoric rise to global fame in the very near future in the content below. Clue C: 'Teenage Dream' and 'Hey, Soul Sister' are merely the humble beginnings of... Darren Criss, Superstar.

Today, we are talking to the versatile and multi-talented Tony-winning actor who has recently found television superstardom following his turn as the Russell Edgington, King of the Tennessee Vampires, on HBO's hit series TRUE BLOOD, but he has also proven himself to be equally at home on the big screen - as can be clearly seen in his impressive turns in 21 GRAMS, GARDEN STATE, CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR, MILK and more. Discussing his penchant for the dark side as well as his musical comedy side - such as his unforgettable performance in Joe Mantello's ASSASSINS and opposite Christina Applegate in the recent revival of SWEET CHARITY - Denis O'Hare makes clear his adoration for the theatrical form and his undying - make that undead - devotion to his craft. This extensive chat certainly gives us a lot of grist and meat to chew on. Be sure to catch O'Hare eight times a week on Broadway in ELLING, which opens today.

I recently had the opportunity to lead the original Tony-winning star of MISS SAIGON - as well as the voice of the animated heroines of Disney classics ALADDIN and MULAN - in a look back at her astounding career, covering everything from MISS SAIGON to her new forthcoming original musical ALLEGIANCE co-starring George Takei: Ms. Lea Salonga. In speaking with the iconic boundary-breaking Broadway leading lady, we also touched upon all things LES MIZ - everything from LES MISERABLES onstage, the 10th Anniversary Dream Cast to, now: the 25th Anniversary 02 Concert Experience! Don't miss Lea alongside stage veterans Norm Lewis, Ramin Karimloo and pop superstar Nick Jonas in the truly spectacular concert presentation of the world's most beloved musical as it is released in movie theaters for one night only on November 17th in anticipation of its worldwide release on DVD and Blu-Ray early next year! Plus, in this exclusive conversation, Lea shares her thoughts on GLEE and her wish to duet with new GLEE cast member Charice, plus memories of the concert event of the past century, HEY! MR. PRODUCER, and much, much more!

On Thurs, Nov 11, 2010 at 8pm - Chris Isaacson in association with Upright Cabaret presents "IT GETS BETTER: THE CONCERT" featuring an All-Star cast of singers and musicians at Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce a second season of shows at the theatre and the performers for its first show of the season!

On Thurs, Nov 11, 2010 at 8pm - Chris Isaacson in association with Upright Cabaret presents "IT GETS BETTER: THE CONCERT" featuring an All-Star cast of singers and musicians at Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028.

Chris Isaacson in association with UPRIGHT CABARET announced the world premiere of Jennifer Leigh Warren starring in 'LITTLE WOMAN/BIG VOICE: The Songs of Dame Shirley Bassey,' which will make its Los Angeles debut in Spring 2011. Acclaimed Director Richard Jay-Alexander (Barbra Streisand, Bette Midler 'Kiss My Brass' Tour, Bernadette Peters) is at the helm.

In this SOUND OFF SPECIAL EDITION we are taking a comprehensive look at Tuesday's premiere of THE ROCKY HORROR GLEE SHOW on Fox and the accompanying soundtrack that was released last week, GLEE: THE MUSIC: THE ROCKY HORROR GLEE SHOW, as well as analyzing how the show and soundtrack stacks up to previous GLEE-ful tributes - Madonna, Gaga/Journey, Britney, etc. - and in comparison to the second season, and entire series, thus far! So, what did you think of THE ROCKY HORROR GLEE SHOW by the time the credits rolled? Was it a tart and terrific time warp romp or a warped and twisted time-consuming stink bomb? A jump to the right or a step to the left? Is it always all or nothing? With ROCKY HORROR, going over-the-top is just the very start of beginning to see what's weird and wild on the other side.

UPRIGHT CABARET is thrilled to announce the performers for their first concert at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks.

UPRIGHT CABARET is thrilled to announce that their one-of-a-kind, unique, cabaret experience is expanding and will now be performing in Thousand Oaks at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks.

LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS & UPRIGHT CABARET are thrilled to announce a second season of shows at the theatre and the performers for its first show of the season!

A friendly giant known best for his devilish and, at times, demonic lead roles in THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW as Frank N. Furter, the eponymous DRACULA and the first replacement cast of THE LION KING as Scar - in addition to his current essaying of the role of the lecherous lawyer Billy Flynn in the smash hit Broadway revival of CHICAGO - time and perseverance has aided Tony-nominated actor Tom Hewitt in carving out a career on Broadway quite unlike most others in existence. In this comprehensive conversation we discuss his many marvelous stage performances on Broadway and beyond thus far, including his new lead role in the New York Musical Theater Festival musical THE GREAT UNKNOWN written by William Hauptman (PUMP BOYS & DINETTES) and Jim Wann (BIG RIVER) and directed by Don Stephenson. In addition to a thorough discussion of that new NYMF musical, we also talk about working with Julie Taymor on the PBS film FOOL'S FIRE and Broadway's THE LION KING, what the insane ROCKY HORROR LIVE experience was like from a stage perspective, his many stints in CHICAGO, as well as working with co-stars like Matt Morrison, Kelli O'Hara, Brenda Braxton, Charlotte D'Amboise and Chip Zien. We also discuss his feelings on Dan Savage's IT GETS BETTER campaign and what he thinks of GLEE taking on the garters, boas and stilettos of Frank & Crew when they do their ROCKY HORROR tribute later this month. Performances of the original bluegrass musical THE GREAT UNKNOWN have already begun so be sure to grab some tickets a the link below and catch the show on Sunday if you haven't done so yet!

After his early triumph in some truly troubled musicals - among them the most notorious of twenty-first century cult Broadway musicals, the infamous DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES - this dashing and terrifically talented Broadway leading man went on to star in the most successful production to date of Stephen Schwartz's delicate Gallic musical THE BAKER'S WIFE - causing even the WICKED composer himself to be taken aback by the sheer power of this tenor's voice - and is now singing the most talked about song of the New York Musical Theater Festival - from the new musical THE HISTORY OF WAR - the captivatingly charming and charismatic Max Von Essen. In this thorough discussion we go into his experiences working with Jim Steinman, Roman Polanski, Michael Crawford, John Rando, Mandy Gonzalez and the rest of the cast and creative team of DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES and how that flash of brilliance of a Broadway debut prepared him for the plight of the working actor making his way on Broadway today. We also discuss the details of his new NYMF musical and singing his star-making solo and adding another notable entry to his pristine performance record. Additionally, we talk about playing Enjorlas in the LES MISERABLES revival co-starring Lea Michele and Daphne Rubin Vega as well as his upcoming appearances and events - such as BROADWAY UNPLUGGED - plus how he keeps his voice in shape to traverse the treacherous vocal territory required of the tenor rock ballads he excels at enacting in song - and thoroughly slaughtering.(He'd be the last to admit he has cords of steel, but he does.) He may be known for 'For Sarah', but this interview is all Max.

UPRIGHT CABARET is thrilled to announce the performers for their first concert at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks.

Recently I had the delectable delight of talking to one of the sweetest and sexiest (and shockingly super-talented) stars of stage and screen who can currently be seen on the hit of all TV hits, GLEE, in her recurring role as April Rhodes, as well as in the new Disney comedy YOU AGAIN co-starring Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Bell, Victor Garber, Cloris Leachman and Betty White: the Tony Award and Emmy-winning actress and operatic chanteuse herself, Ms. Kristin Chenoweth! In this BWW exclusive InDepth InterView we talk about filming the first of several new episodes of GLEE for season two, working on Broadway with GLEE lead (and show love interest) Matt Morrison, what singing Sondheim means to her as a person and as a performer, what GLEE means to Broadway, as well as a thorough discussion of her new Disney film YOU AGAIN directed by Andy Fickman. We also touch on her early Broadway work in A NEW BRAIN and the words and music of William Finn. She has it all - and the success in each form of media to prove it - so it is a special treat to present InDepth InterView: Kristin Chenoweth.

This week, in honor of true triple-threat trouper Kristin Chenoweth, we are featuring clips from her many stage and TV performances, as well as some clips from her new Disney feature film comedy YOU AGAIN co-starring Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Bell, Jamie Lee Curtis, Victor Garber and Betty White, in addition to some of her most GLEEktastic moments portraying April Rhodes on Fox's smash hit musical comedy series GLEE. We'll also take a look at what makes her a Broadway baby at heart and why the stage will always be the place where her feet are most firmly - and fabulously - planted, as adaptable as she undoubtedly is to all media. She can certainly hold her own on screens large or small, as her Golden Globe-winning performance on PUSHING DAISIES and her Emmy-nominated work on both GLEE and THE WEST WING certainly proved. She can do it all - and do a mean "Nessum Dorma" and "Glitter and Be Gay" to boot - absolutely anywhere - and she's everywhere to be seen in this Glinda edition of FLASHBACK/FLASHFORWARD FRIDAY!

This afternoon I had the delight of talking to one of the sweetest and sexiest (and shockingly super-talented) stars of stage and screen who can currently be seen on the hit of all TV hits, GLEE, in her recurring role as April Rhodes, as well as in the new Disney comedy YOU AGAIN co-starring Sigourney Weaver, Kristen Bell, Victor Garber, Cloris Leachman and Betty White: the Tony Award and Emmy Award-winning actress and operatic chanteuse herself, Ms. Kristin Chenoweth! In this BWW exclusive we talk about filming the first of several new episodes of GLEE next week, working on Broadway with GLEE lead (and show love interest) Matt Morrison, what Sondheim means to her, what GLEE means to Broadway, as well as a thorough look at her new Disney film YOU AGAIN directed by Andy Fickman. This is merely a tease of what's to come in the complete InDepth InterView: Kristin Chenoweth coming next week! Stay tuned to BWW until then! In the complete interview she also comments on working with Matt Morrison, Lea Michele and Ryan Murphy on GLEE, as well as Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti, Barbara Cook and John Doyle in her premiere Sondheim performance and working with Carrie Underwood - and many others! She's a Spring breeze on a Fall day - April (Rhodes) after all! Besides, this is just the bud, you'll have to wait until next week to watch our chat grow into a full bloom!

UPRIGHT CABARET is thrilled to announce that their one-of-a-kind, unique, cabaret experience is expanding and will now be performing in Thousand Oaks at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks.

The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards is airing live coast to coast tonight, on August 29 (8-11 p.m. EST) on NBC, originating from the Nokia Theatre L.A. in Los Angeles. The awards are being produced by Don Mischer and hosted by Jimmy Fallon. The cast of GLEE opening the show in a musical skit with the help of Emmy host Jimmy Fallon, Tina Fey and Kate Gosselin. Click below to watch!