Search found 116 matches for Glee

Ryan Murphy wrote:
I feel like what my job is to do is to say ‘I see something’ and then to explain what I see. And most of the time that’s a young person, that I see something in that I’m excited by, and I’ve had it over and over and over again. It’s never a ‘no’. It’s a conversation of me having to do my job and explain to the people who are putting up the money what I see. I mean I had it with - so many times - I mean I had it with Sarah Paulson for Marcia Clark. I just, the second I read it I was like I want Sarah to do that and I won’t do it without her. And it was a conversation and everybody listened to me and said ‘okay’. I had it with Lea Michele on Glee…I had it with Matt Bomer on the Normal Heart. I had it recently with Darren Criss on the Assassination of Gianni Versace. Just people that I’ve worked with or young people that I, umm, love - I had it this year with Evan Peters, I had it this year on American Horror Story - where I just see something in them and I say to them 'I just really wanna challenge you. Are you up for it?’ And every artist says 'I am’ and I say 'okay, let’s go.’ And that to me is the best part of my life and my job. It’s the thing I love the most.

Ryan Murphy wrote:I feel . . . a responsibility to say, like who's the next young voice, who's the next person who is different than the mainstream.  So I try to bring those people up.  And I try to work with them on those shows and train them, and talk to them . . .

Ryan Murphy wrote:
I feel like what my job is to do is to say ‘I see something’ and then to explain what I see. And most of the time that’s a young person, that I see something in that I’m excited by, and I’ve had it over and over and over again. It’s never a ‘no’. It’s a conversation of me having to do my job and explain to the people who are putting up the money what I see. I mean I had it with - so many times - I mean I had it with Sarah Paulson for Marcia Clark. I just, the second I read it I was like I want Sarah to do that and I won’t do it without her. And it was a conversation and everybody listened to me and said ‘okay’. I had it with Lea Michele on Glee…I had it with Matt Bomer on the Normal Heart. I had it recently with Darren Criss on the Assassination of Gianni Versace. Just people that I’ve worked with or young people that I, umm, love - I had it this year with Evan Peters, I had it this year on American Horror Story - where I just see something in them and I say to them 'I just really wanna challenge you. Are you up for it?’ And every artist says 'I am’ and I say 'okay, let’s go.’ And that to me is the best part of my life and my job. It’s the thing I love the most.

Ryan Murphy wrote:I feel . . . a responsibility to say, like who's the next young voice, who's the next person who is different than the mainstream.  So I try to bring those people up.  And I try to work with them on those shows and train them, and talk to them . . .

Jeremy wrote:It seems to be a very nice performance of "Hopelessly devoted to you"

Yes, I agree, Jeremy. 

BroadwayWorld wrote:
Darren Criss & More Celebrate Saint John's Health Center Foundation 75th Anniversary Gala

October 24, 2017



Saint John's Health Center Foundation and Irene Dunne Guild hosted Providence Saint John's 75th Anniversary Gala Celebration: "The Future of Excellence in Personalized Healthcare" raising a record-breaking $1.4 million on Saturday, October 21 at 3Labs, Culver City. The evening commemorated Saint John's founding and unveiled a new era of medical innovation.

The event featured a special performance by Emmy-nominated actor, singer and songwriter Darren Criss, and the cast of the gospel-rock-n-roll musical SHOUT SISTER SHOUT! More than 700 attendees including Helen Hunt, Heather Morris, Loni Love, Jay Huguley, Jim Toth and more enjoyed a gourmet dinner by THE KITCHENfor Exploring Foods as well as specialty Ketel Soda cocktails by Ketel One Vodka.

Billboard wrote:
'Stranger Things' Star Gaten Matarazoo Beats Boredom in Computer Games 'Lost Boys Life': Watch

Gaten Matarazzo should be pretty pleased with himself right now.

The cherubic actor starred in the Netflix supernatural hit Stranger Things, which is returning for a second season (and maybe more). The show did big things, taking out the Screen Actor’s Guild Award for best ensemble drama and ruling the Internet as Matarazzo and the rest of its cast lit up the room and co-star Winona Ryder showed us her full range of faces.  
Matarazzo will also appear in Katy Perry’s basketball-themed “Swish Swish” video, which is due to fly any day now. And he’s landed the big role in the video for “Lost Boys Life,” from Darren Criss and Chuck Criss’ alt-pop band Computer Games.

Helmed by Mia Elan, the Computer Games clip follows Matarazzo as a conflicted lost kid finding his way through a regular (adult) existence. It all changes when a Flying V enters the scene.

The Criss brothers were “huge fans” of Stranger Things, says Chuck, so tapping Matarazzo wasn’t a tough call. “The song shares many of the same 80’s electronica influences that can be heard throughout the series,“ he explains.

Matarazzo caught up with Darren last year at the second annual Elsie Fest music festival, which the former Glee cast member co-created. “It was always going to be Gaten,” said Darren. “We wrote the entire treatment around him. Thank God he said yes, because otherwise it probably would have just been me, running around in a silly wig, trying to be Gaten.”  

“I had a blast performing with Darren at Elsie Fest last year,” said Matarazzo. “That was the first time we had ever met and instantly became buddies. When he sent me the treatment to Computer Games’ music video, I was like – rock on! I’m in!”

Fuse wrote:
Darren Criss Taps 'Stranger Things' Star for Computer Games' 'Lost Boys Life' Video: Watch

The Stranger Things kids continue to take over the music videos of your favorite artists! The latest is Gaten Matarazzo, who stars in Computer Games' visual for their new single "Lost Boys Life."

Directed by Mia Elan, the video follows Matarazzo as he tries to find freedom and adventure after being stuck in a dreary 9-to-5 corporate job. After nicking his face with a sharp razor while trying to shave, eating cheap ramen and being yelled at by his balding boss, the kid trades in his office supplies for an electric guitar. From there, Matarazzo gets to live out his dreams of becoming a badass rock star at a Computer Games concert.

“We’re both huge fans of Stranger Things,” Chuck Criss, Darren’s older brother, says in a press release. “The song shares many of the same ’80s electronica influences that can be heard throughout the series.” Darren also reveals they had Matarazzo in mind to star in the video from its early planning stages. “We wrote the entire treatment around him,” he says. The actor recently appeared in Katy Perry's "Swish Swish" video, where he played one of her basketball teammates.

Nylon wrote:
Gaten Matarazzo Of 'Stranger Things' Stars In Another Music Video

Thank you, Darren Criss

You know what? The Stranger Things cast is very good at lip-synching. Millie Bobby Brown owned her starring role in Sigma’s electric video for “Find Me” back in 2016, and Gaten Matarazzo is on his way to becoming something of a music video star. Not only is he in Katy Perry’s “Swish Swish” video, he’s also in Computer Games’ video for “Lost Boys Life.” To quote Ms. Perry, “Another one in the basket.”

For Computer Games, Darren Criss’ indie alt-pop band, Matarazzo breaks free of his mundane nine-to-five job in search of his passion, which, as we come to find out, is not shaving. (Ouch!) Instead, he finds his way to Computer Games’ show after trading his office supplies for a dope guitar. “We’re both huge fans of Stranger Things,” Chuck Criss, Darren’s brother, says in a press release. “The song shares many of the same ’80s electronica influences that can be heard throughout the series.” Darren echoes that and adds that Matarazzo was always going to be the one to star in the video. “We wrote the entire treatment around him,” he says.

Prior to this, Matarazzo performed with Darren at Elsie Fest in NYC last year. That’s where Matarazzo says they became friends. Now, they’re music video mates. Lost boys forever.

Playbill wrote:
Watch: Darren Criss Releases New Music Video Starring Stranger Things' Gaten Matarazzo

For those of you who don’t know: Darren Criss has a band. The former star of Broadway’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and his brother, instrumentalist Chuck Criss, comprise the indie pop rock band Computer Games.

The two debuted their first album, Lost Boys Life, in March, and today they release the music video of the title track, which “explores the journey of trying to maintain boyhood ideologies while navigating the throes of adulthood.” Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo is the face of that lost boy. Criss and Matarazzo met during the second annual Elsie Fest, the music festival for Broadway founded by Criss.

“We wrote the entire treatment around [Matarazzo],” said Criss. “Thank God he said yes, because otherwise it probably would have just been me running around in a silly wig, trying to be Gaten.” Directed and written by Mia Elan, the music video premiered August 24.

The brothers Criss have been singing and writing music together since high school, and Computer Games marks a realization of a years-long dream.

“Lost Boys Life” was edited by Cami Starkman with director of photography Chapin Hall, and produced by Ricky Rollins and Jesy Odio.

iheart.com wrote:
Behind The Scenes of Computer Games' 'Lost Boys Life' Video - Exclusive

August 24, 2017

Alt-pop band Computer Games, comprised of brothers Darren and Chuck Criss released the music video for their latest single “Lost Boys Life,” and the duo recruited someone special to star in the new visual: Gaten Matarazzo, who you might know as Dustin Henderson from Netflix series Stranger Things.

The “Lost Boys Life” visual, directed by Mia Elan, was filmed in an office setting, and at at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles – during an actual Computer Games concert. The video follows Gaten as he makes his way through his humdrum days at the office – think the premise of Office Space – until he leaves that life behind to rock out with the band on stage at their show.

Darren Criss explains that he was excited to have Gaten star in the “Lost Boys Life” music video, especially because he is a fellow Broadway actor. Gaten has acted in two Broadway shows, one of them being Les Misérables playing the role of Gavroche. Darren explains, “I have always been keen on other Broadway kids, and so the fact that he joined us for this video was really special to us.” He adds:

“We always wanted to have the song be sung, or at least the narrative be framed around a kid surrounded by adults, living in an adult world, but still feeling like a kid at heart and kind of feels trapped by that for whatever reason. I thought he did a really great job with that. I think he had a lot of fun. We got to have him be on stage in front of a ton of people for one of our debut shows in Los Angeles at an actual show, this wasn’t a fake set, where he got to do air guitar. And getting to do that with him was really fun, because I could see his inner rock star really got to get let loose”

As Darren mentioned, this video was filmed during an actual show in front of Computer Games’ fans. Chuck says of filming the visual, “I’d like to especially thank all the fans that showed up to shoot this video, you know who you are. You stood in the crowd and listened to the song ad nauseam hundreds of thousands of times, and you didn’t leave. So, thank you.”

Variety wrote:
Coincidence?  'Stranger Things' Star Gaten Matarazzo Stars in Two Videos That Dropped today

In a strange confluence of events, “Stranger Things” star Gaten Matarazzo appears in two videos that dropped on Thursday, August 24, 2017.

While he’s in a cast of many in Katy Perry’s slapstick clip about a bumbling basketball team for her “Swish Swish” single, he takes on a much bigger role in the clip from former “Glee” star Darren Criss’ band Computer Games, “Lost Boys Life.” Directed by Mia Elan, the video incorporates live shots from Computer Games’ show at L.A.’s Teragram Ballroom. As a press release says, Matarazzo stars “as the conflicted lost boy, navigating through his somewhat mundane life.” (See both videos below.)

“I had a blast performing with Darren at Elsie Fest last year,” said Matarazzo. “That was the first time we had ever met and instantly became buddies. When he sent me the treatment to Computer Games’ music video, I was like – rock on! I’m in!”

Criss’ brother Chuck, who is also in the band, said, “We’re both huge fans of ‘Stranger Things,’” said Chuck. “The song shares many of the same 80’s electronica influences that can be heard throughout the series.”

“It was always going to be Gaten,” said Criss. “We wrote the entire treatment around him. Thank God he said yes, because otherwise it probably would have just been me, running around in a silly wig, trying to be Gaten.”

The band released their “Lost Boys Life” EP in March. The two brothers have played music together since high school but put the band on hold for a decade, reviving it recently.

MoviePilot wrote:
Check Out 'Glee' Star Darren Criss' new Music Video Featuring 'Stranger Things' Star Gaten Matarazzo

When the curtain fell for the last time on Glee back in 2015, it brought an end to a TV phenomenon. However, series regular Darren Criss, who portrayed Blaine Anderson on the show, has kept himself busy since then. After a second successful run on Broadway in Hedwig and The Angry Inch, he guest-starred in two episodes of American Horror Story: Hotel, played the villain in The Flash/Supergirl musical crossover and is set to headline the second season of American Crime Story.

However, his busy schedule didn't stop him from returning to the music scene — but he didn't do it alone. Earlier this year, Criss and his brother, Chuck, formed the band Computer Games. After releasing their first single in March, the band have now unveiled the music video for their second outing, "Lost Boys Life."

While the song is indeed awesome, and proves that the Criss brothers are still as talented as ever, the most striking thing about the video is the famous face that pops up in it. Check out the video below, featuring #StrangerThings star Gaten Matarazzo:

Bored with his seemingly miserable life, Matarazzo comes to life half way through the video when he quits his job and picks up a guitar. From there on, his life improves, and whether's he's running down the street with glee or rocking out with Computer Games on stage, the actor's joy is incredibly infectious.

It's safe to say that Matarazzo has been busy lately. After filming the second season of Stranger Things, the young actor appeared in the music video for Katy Perry's "Swish Swish." As we saw on a recent episode of Lip Sync Battle, it's clear that he has a talent for miming lyrics. And it's great to see that artists are giving him a chance to show it off.

It's awesome to see Criss teaming up with Matarazzo, not just because they are two talented actors, but because they were both involved in two of the biggest TV phenomenons of the past decade.

When #Glee debuted back in 2009, nobody could have predicted the juggernaut it would go on to become. Running for six seasons and producing countless musical performances, the show started a revolution and gained a huge following. It was renowned for exploring previously uncharted territory, a lot of which Criss was a big part of. While he wasn't in show's first season, his character's introduction in Season 2 made headlines for being half of the most revolutionary teenage gay couple ever seen on TV.

Moreover, the show produced one of the most talented casts in #TV history, many of whom have gone on to have incredibly successful careers after the end of the show.

Similarly, Stranger Things was one of the most unexpected hits of last year and has also become a phenomenon, making stars out of its talented young cast. Known for his fearlessness and badass attitude, Matarazzo's character, Dustin quickly became a fan-favorite, and stole the show on a number of occasions.

Matarazzo's appearance in Criss's music video was a refreshing crossover between two of TV's biggest ever phenomenons that we never knew we needed. And as he did such a phenomenal job, we hope to see Gaten featured in a lot more music videos.

BroadwayWorld wrote:
VIDEO: Darren Criss' Indie Alt-Pop Band Computer Games Shares Music Video for 'Lost Boys Life'

Indie alt-pop band Computer Games, comprised of frontman Darren Criss (Broadway’s HEDWIG, HOW TO SUCCEED) and multi-instrumentalist/vocalist Chuck Criss, have released their second music video for their album’s title track, “Lost Boys Life”. Directed by Mia Elan, the video incorporates live shots from Computer Games’ first ever and sold-out show in Los Angeles at the Teragram Ballroom. Breakout star Gaten Matarazzo from Netflix’s global phenomenon series “Stranger Things” stars in the video as the conflicted lost boy, navigating through his somewhat mundane life.


“I had a blast performing with Darren at Elsie Fest last year,” said Matarazzo. “That was the first time we had ever met and instantly became buddies. When he sent me the treatment to Computer Games’ music video, I was like - rock on! I’m in!” As for the Criss brothers, having young Matarazzo appear in the video was a no-brainer. “We’re both huge fans of ‘Stranger Things,’” said Chuck. “The song shares many of the same 80’s electronica influences that can be heard throughout the series.”

“It was always going to be Gaten,” said Criss. “We wrote the entire treatment around him. Thank God he said yes, because otherwise it probably would have just been me, running around in a silly wig, trying to be Gaten.”

The band released their debut album in early March entitled Lost Boys Life EP, which has received astonishing praise. Entertainment Weekly labeled their sound as “a funky blast to the past in the spirit of some of the grooviest ‘80s superstars,” while Teen Vogue described the album as “an indie gem filled with plenty of ‘80s pop inspiration and a dash of true DIY sensibility.” Music from The Combined minds of the Criss brothers has been long overdue – as the two have written, produced, and performed original songs together since high school. After many years of other projects shaping their individual careers, Computer Games has been on the back burner for over a decade. Lost Boys Life EP marks the lifelong goal of a sibling collaboration, and is the first major release from either artist in several years.

By combining the sounds of the 1980s with the brothers’ love of contemporary pop production, Lost Boys Life EP explores the journey of trying to maintain boyhood ideologies while navigating the throes of adulthood.


The “Lost Boys Life” music video was written and directed by Mia Elan, produced by Jesy Odio and Ricky Rollins, and edited by Cami Starkman.

TheaterMania wrote:
Computer Games, Featuring Darren Criss, Releases Video with Gaten Matarazzo

The Hedwig and the Angry Inch star's E.P. Lost Boys Life is now available to stream.

Today, Computer Games, an alternative pop band featuring Darren Criss (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) and his brother Chuck, released a new music video for their single "Lost Boys Life." The video features Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo, who appeared on Broadway in the 2014 revival of Les Misérables. It is the second video for the title song of Computer Games's E.P. Lost Boys Life, which is available to stream now. Check out the video below.

wizardsandwhatnot wrote:
Darren Criss should play Harry Potter in The Cursed Child

August 18, 2017

Darren Criss has always dreamed of playing Harry Potter. Is The Cursed Child his way to do that?


It’s time. Well, it’s almost time. Once The Cursed Child comes to Broadway and the original cast all play their roles, it will be time. Time to fulfill a prophecy written in 2009 on Youtube that a boy with curly hair fulfills after playing Harry Potter in a play (musical).


It’s always been Criss’s dream to play the boy who lived on stage, and now that the Cursed Child is coming to Broadway, could it happen? He wouldn’t be playing the young Harry that he played in A Very Potter Musical, but he’s getting old enough to play Albus’s father! It wouldn’t be a perfect fit, but it could work if they really wanted it!


Imagine the actor having his dream come true, and playing his favorite character on stage! He has the ability to play the character, and the experience to possibly make him someone they would want! Of course, he’s famous for STARKID, his role in How to Succeed in Business, Hedwig and the Angry Inch!


Dream for the fans too!


For me, this would also be a dream come true. As much as I love STARKID’s productions on Youtube including their Harry Potter trilogy. Even though I probably wouldn’t be able to see the show, I love knowing that actors’ dreams are coming true. And Darren Criss is just like us, a fan of this mega phenomenon, who probably has wild theories and opinions about Harry Potter and Hermione, and who knows what else!


It will be great to see the original cast play on Broadway for what I hope is a long time, and that the show doesn’t close before it’s time like most show on the Great White Way. Who knows, now that I’ve opened the door to personal opinions about who should play who on Broadway, maybe we’ll write more about it!

dcriss-archive:

mlb_entertainment: Our Artist Profile with @darrencriss & @charlescriss of@weplaycomputers will be up on August 16th on our site: www.mlb.com/e Here’s a sneak peak!  #darrencriss #chuckcriss #computergames #newmusic#popmusic #popband #mlb #mlbadvancedmedia #newyorknewyork #interviews #glee #alternativepop #entertainmentnews #artistprofile

Tags: Ugh I love how he always remembers give appreciation for all the people behind-the-scenes that work to make this shit happen