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EXCLUSIVE: The news is brimming with symbolism – the young actor who portrayed Harry Potter in viral online videos to step in for the actor who played the boy wizard on the big screen. I hear that Darren Criss, breakout star of Fox’s hit dramedy Glee, is poised to make his Broadway debut, succeeding Daniel Radcliffe as the lead in the Broadway musical How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying. Negotiations between Criss and the musical’s producers, Craig Zadan & Neil Meron and Broadway Across America, are expected to begin shortly after Glee co-creator/executive producer Ryan Murphy and the series’ producing studio 20th Century Fox TV gave Criss their blessing for the stint. (I hear Murphy even encouraged the actor, who made his processional stage debut at age 10, to fulfill his Broadway dream).
If a deal is made, Criss will replace Radcliffe when the Harry Potter star finishes his run on January to return to movies. 
Criss will do a 3-week stint, from Jan. 3 through Jan. 22, in addition to 2 weeks of rehearsals in December, missing a total of an episode and a half of Glee. Additionally, I hear that Criss may make his feature debut opposite Kristen Wiig and Annette Bening in Imogene for American Splendor helmers Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini as the Glee producers have agreed to accommodate him for that too the same way they have let other cast members do movies during Glee production, including Lea Michele, Matthew Morrison and Dianna Agron. This caps a remarkable 8-month rise for Criss from a YouTube celebrity as the star of A Very Potter Musical and A Very Potter Sequel to a bona fide TV star with Glee and now – a Broadway leading man. How To Succeed has already been doing very well at the boxoffice, grossing over a $1 million every week, with its ticket sales going through the roof since the recent opening of the final Harry Potter movie starring Radcliffe. With his huge following, Criss’ turn could rival that. Criss emerged as the star of this year’s Glee summer tour, with his performances getting huge ovations and screams from female fans. Along with other Glee castmates, Criss is headed to Comic-Con for a panel moderated by my colleague Michael Ausiello this weekend where the upcoming 3D Glee concert movie will be showcased by clips of some of Criss’ performances. As for How to Succeed, the search continues for a permanent replacement of Radcliffe as well as an actor to succeed fellow star John Larroquette.
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Darren is successful and will be successful for a long time because he is not just an actor or singer. He is a creative producer–he doesn’t just sit by and wait for things. Talent pours out of his creative spirit.
Well done, Darren, you so rock and you will be brilliant in both projects!
No way this is legit. No fucking way.
Its been confirmed by his rep.
Wow, love the irony of this XD Awesome if he actually gets hired.
darren is so talented! you know he is one of the few singers/actors that actually kicks but when he sings live! which is saying a lot considering a lot of singers these days are autotuned to crap. i actually think darren sounds better live than studioed. he would do amazing on broadway
So happy for DArren Criss’ success. This is a great opportunity. He rocks.
I think Darren’s acting in Glee is quite good considering the role. His character Blaine is pretty inconsistent and not very well developed, but that’s the fault of the writers, not the actor. I honestly don’t think anyone, including myself, can really judge his acting abilities. His character on Glee is inconsistent and Harry Potter in AVPM was purposely made similar to Darren himself and is a parody. There isn’t much else that anyone’s seen him in to judge him on.
That being said, I’m a huge fan of his, but even I’m not sure if his acting/singing abilities are good enough to pull off the role. I have faith in him though, and it’s be a great opportunity for him.
I also don’t think it’ll hurt him to follow Daniel. Darren’s successful in his own right with Glee, and I have no doubt that he’ll get more roles in the future. Playing Harry in AVPM had little to do Daniel anyways, because AVPM was based on the books and a parody, so their roles were never meant to be compared.
Exactly what I was gearing up to say once I reached the end of the comments.
I agree with you about the character of Blaine, he’s inconsistent and underdeveloped. It’s unfortunate for Darren, who could have handled a much more complex and deep character, but he played what he had to the best of his ability, under the circumstances.
I think after four years of hard work earning a degree in ACTING at UMich, he has probably learned a thing or two more than the rest of us.
I’m so fucking happy for him though
Excuse me will I give a very high pitched fangirl squeel… EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!
If this is true Starkids everywhere will drop dead, me included. So incredibly proud of this kid. He really worked is way up.
Good for Darren – he seems hard working, motivated and genuine.
Can this guy stop acting all Single White Female over Daniel Radcliffe? I’m embarrassed for Broadway right now.
Great! Love Darren! I really hope he does well…
Wonderful news. May have to get a few tickets now. Cant wait for the next season of Glee with Darren as a Regular.
I know for a fact that these negotiations ARE going on. Don’t know if they will be successful, but I’m sure they will be. This straight from the producer of the show’s mouth.
Now Daniel Radcliffe just needs to appear on “Glee”!
January and February are the slowest months for ticket sales on Broadway (the holidays are over, the weather is bad and the tourists are not in NYC). It’s not surprising that the producers would look for a recognizable name, one with a loyal following who will likely generate some incremental ticket sales while the show prepares to introduce the permanent replacements.
I’m so happy for Darren, he worked so hard on his career and is a very talented performer/actor.Now all i have to do is get me a ticket to see him in it!!
I still can’t get over how he went from being only viewed on the internet as someone who regularly shows up on my tv. I don’t think my heart can handle seeing his face on huge billboards in NY
I apologise in advance, I do tend to ramble a bit. I’m incredibly proud of Darren’s achievements (Proud Mama Umbridge tears). From viral YouTube musicals to a certified gold record all in the space of a year. He works extremely hard and deserves his success. I think Darren would be amazing on Broadway, seeing as he’s grown up on the stage. Good luck Darren!
Darren Criss is extremely talented and Broadway would be lucky to have him.
This would be freaking amazing. Darren has come so far in less than a year. Even if this doesn’t happen, it is still exciting that there even is the opportunity. Also, if How to Succeed doesn’t occur, then a Starkid show on broadway DEFINITELY should
I’m so happy to see Darren come so far in such a short time frame. It hasn’t even been a year he’s been cast on Glee, and now he’s rumoured to be performing on Broadway. It’s brilliant. I’m so proud.
And for all you haters, you are entitled to your own opinion, yes, but please don’t start a riot in the comments. That’s so middle school.