U-M's Darren Criss earns warm reviews in Broadway's 'How to Succeed'

Posted on Thu, Jan 5, 2012 : 12:26 p.m.

U-M's Darren Criss earns warm reviews in Broadway's 'How to Succeed'

By Jenn McKee

University of Michigan grad and "Glee" star Darren Criss, who on Tuesday took over Daniel Radcliffe's lead role in the Broadway production of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," earned praise from The New York Daily News (who called Criss' opening night performance "as slick and shiny as his Brylcreemed hair") and Broadway.com has a photo gallery of Criss' (and co-star Beau Bridges') first night in the show, including shots from the after-party.

In addition, Criss earned mostly praise from Billboard.com, though reviewer Rae Votta wrote, "On 'Glee' and as a solo act, Criss is more pop-rock than Broadway, and this show leaves little room for him to riff and settle into his comfort zone, sometimes leaving him startlingly soft in contrast to the rest of the chorus. Where in "I Believe In You" that quietness worked, in "Brotherhood of Man," he needed just a bit more. However, he made up for any shortcomings with effortless dancing and striking charisma."

Here's a short video of Criss preparing for, and doing, a promotional photo shoot for "How to Succeed."

Finally, Criss appeared on "Live with Kelly" (with guest co-host Rob Lowe) this morning and talked about "How to Succeed" as well as an upcoming Michael Jackson episode of "Glee."

Jenn McKee is the entertainment digital journalist for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at jennmckee@annarbor.com or 734-623-2546, and follow her on Twitter @jennmckee.

Comments

Jim Mulcrone

Tue, Jan 10, 2012 : 8:35 p.m.

I took my daughter and her friend (students at the University of Illinois) to see How to Succeed with Darren. It was the first Broadway show for all of us. We went on Friday, Jan. 6, which was only his fourth show, and everything was great. Darren was well-suited to the role and had a great synergy with Beau Bridges (and the rest of the cast). The golf bag fell over in a scene with Beau and they ad libbed through picking it up while staying in character. He's a very talented guy (I saw the Glee concert at the Palace with my daughter too) that we will be seeing more of in the coming years. I know two students at the U of I with great stories to tell and who will be lifelong fans.