This is a fan forum to discuss Darren Criss\'s career and his public activities, including his theater, film, and TV projects, his music and musical performances, charitable work, interaction with fans, and interviews.
I love this pic from Glee's final Paleyfest in 2015:
@hellomaleka - {#}TBT{/#} to March 16, 2015…Glee at PaleyFest in Hollywood, CA. Loved capturing this moment with {#}DarrenCriss{/#} and {#}DotMarieJones{/#} having some fun after the panel. One of my favorite casts! tumblr source: x original source: x
via Darren’s Instagram stories on March 9th, 2017 March 09 2017
Thank you Elvis Duran! I'm sure you had a hand at this.
@iHeartRadio Join us tomorrow at 12pm ET as @DarrenCriss debuts new alt-pop project, Computer Games LIVE on https://www.facebook.com/iHeartRadio
Interesting drawing (would look great on an album cover). Interesting comments.
Via Computer Games’ Instagram Stories - March 9, 2017
Yes, it was, Darren! For both you, Chuck, and your fans!
March 09 2017
mateomorales Congrats boys! Our jam Every Single Night was just played by @elvisduranshow on @z100newyork!! Dope time last night hearing @darrencriss & @charlescriss from @weplaycomputers play their first show! We helped them produce their first EP #LostBoysLife that they just put out yesterday. Had a bunch of fun switching things up and creating with these talented muzos and crazy guyzzz! dailydarrennews
Note: Mateo Morales is with The Elev3n, a NYC-based music production team. I remember Alex of DCN had noted The Elev3n in connection with Darren's album. Darren is listed on their website (http://www.theelev3n.com/) as one of the artists they have collaborated with.
Note: Tony Hoffer is a music producer, guitarist and music mixer.
Computer Games release party (March 8, 2017) in NYC:
Nice set of black and white photos:
belleybuttons: justpressrecord: people say don’t let your emotions control you well how can that be without them i never could know you will you dance with me every single night dailydarrennews
Cute pic of Darren and Mia (and the band?). Lilikoiluv, do you recognize any of the band members? Are they from U of Michigan?
belleybuttons: via Mia’s snapchat (March 9th, 2017)
amelodysosweet: Computer Games - Lost Boys Life EP Release Party, March 8, 2017 dailydarrennews
Nice pic:
Computer Games’ EP release party at Mercury Lounge - March 8, 2017 [x] dailydarrennews
This is cute. Darren recognizing their release party was on International Women's Day. The way he giggles when he exclaims: "That means there's some ladies in the house!" Haha!!! Love the enthusiastic crowd. "Which is why I brought a red head band."
carolpeletiers: darren criss on international women’s day // 3-8-17 dailydarrennews
Rehearsal before the release party?
weplaycomputers:#tbt first rehearsal. bridge. every single night dailydarrennews
Darren on the Elvis Duran Show (March 9, 2017):
haha!
@ElvisDuranShow We are LOVING @DarrenCriss and @Chuck_Criss new group @weplaycomputers. Check out the Lost Boys Life EP available now!
@elvisduran: Thanks for stopping by @DarrenCriss @Chuck_Criss! Go check out @weplaycomputers new EP, out now!
I enjoyed listening to Darren singing Rihanna's song (and liked his fun "sexy" introduction to the song):
Love on the Brain live on the Elvis Duran Show Computer Games Source March 09 2017 dailydarrennews
Very interesting interview, talking about their expectations for their music.
Note: Darren stated that both he and Chuck are independent artists, indie artists.
Elvis asked why isn't the EP on iHeart? Darren: "That's up to you, Mr. Duran. That's why we came here." haha. Elvis Duran isn't quite sure how to put Lost Boys Life EP on iHeart. haha! Elvis wants to know their schedule, and Darren and Chuck are just going with the flow. Elvis: "What's the plan?!" " You're such San Francisco boys." haha! And aw, Elvis is so sweet and supportive, asking that caller to the radio show to buy the Lost Boys Life EP.
Via Computer Games’ Instagram Stories - March 9, 2017 Dailydarrennews
[LQ] Darren Criss and Chuck Criss visit the ‘Elvis Duran Z100 Morning Show'at Z100 Studio on March 9, 2017 in New York City dailydarrennews
[LQ] Darren Criss and Chuck Criss visit the ‘Elvis Duran Z100 Morning Show'at Z100 Studio on March 9, 2017 in New York City
[LQ] Darren Criss visits the ‘Elvis Duran Z100 Morning Show'at Z100 Studio on March 9, 2017 in New York City
From Darren Criss Army:
Computer Games release party (March 8, 2017) in NYC:
Warning: Some Flashing Lights!
This looks impressive, Chuck! [size=13]# Repost [/size][size=13]charlescriss shameless shredding post because #shredding is v important. Thanks #jamesgabriel !! http://ift.tt/2mLPkZ7 via Darren Criss Army [/size]
I love this pic and the fan's message.
kissedmequiteinsane: The only real photo worth sharing DarrenCrissArmy
Darren had so many red carpet events in the past week or so, I wish he had given an interview at at least one of them. Not that he ever gives much away anyway, but someone please just make him talk a little.
Yes, he's been busy this week. I agree, it would have been nice to have an interview. But knowing Darren, as you said, he wouldn't have spoiled much info. So good at keeping secrets!
I'm a bit behind in posting, but better late than never.
From dailydarrennews:
On the red carpet for the premiere of Feud. I'll post a few pics. More pics at dailydarrennews.
endlesslyklaine: [72 UHQ] Darren Criss at the premiere of FX Network’s ‘Feud: Bette And Joan’ on March 1, 2017. dailydarrennews
fallenjunkie: Darren Criss and Mia Swier arrive at ‘Feud: Bette and Joan’ Los Angeles premiere on March 1, 2017.
@MiaVonGlitz #TBT to last night. What an honor to be a part of this stunning show. Cannot wait for the world to see it Sunday March 5th! @FeudFX #FeudFX
At the Oscars after party.
dailydarrennews:
@nepalesruben: .@DarrenCriss, who’ll star in #Versace: #AmericanCrimeStory, w/ Tess Mauricio & James Lee at #LaLaland#Oscars party entertainment.inquirer.net/217102/like-os…
rubenvnepales Who kissed you, Darren Criss? With Darren, @janetrnepales, @drtessmauricio and Dr. James Lee. At Oscars 2017 and after-party.
It's great to see Darren with both Alan Cumming and Michael Feinstein together. What a cool group of people. I have to laugh at the caption that Michael Feinstein wrote, though. Ha! 4 am and Darren is still going strong. Michael and Alan are probably thinking, "when are we going to be able to sleep?!"
Michael Feinstein:#TBT This is what happens when you stay out until 4:00am with Alan Cumming and Darren Criss. A crazy FUN night!!! dailydarrennews
From DarrenCrissArmy:
Some more nice pics from the Feud premiere.
More from the Feud: Bette and Joan red carpet 3/1/17
(Source: gettyimages.com)
DarrenCrissArmy
Darren on the red carpet at the premiere of Feud: Bette and Joan 3/1/17
This photo was taken four years ago tomorrow, and marks one of the greatest honors of my life. Thank you, Obamas, for your leadership, your grace, your strength, your compassion, your humor- the list goes on and on. You have been and will continue to be an inspiration to us all, for generations to come. Also let’s be real, hot damn what a great lookin’ couple. Can’t wait to see what you do next. #tbt
darrencriss The last time I worked with this dude, HE was the bad guy singing at ME. Oh how the tables have turned , @grantgust. Talk about a #tbt @cwtheflash
darrencriss Me & @zachvwoodlee back together again and it feels so good! Glee fam is all over this crossover episode… @supergirlcw / @cwtheflash
[center] IMPORTANT NOTE ANNOUNCEMENT: DELETED POSTS IN Darren Appreciation Thread for 2017
On January 23, 2017, I accidentally deletedone thread (the "Darren Appreciation Thread: General News about Darren for 2017"). I do apologize!
I restored the thread in question, through the back-up, but the back up only went up to January 19, 2017. Thus, posts from January 20-23, 2017, in the "Darren Appreciation Thread: General News about Darren for 2017" were lost.
Thank you Lin, for pinpointing what I did wrong, and for the suggestion of what I can do to help prevent me from doing the same error.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
UPDATE: Deleted Posts in The Darren Appreciation Thread for 2017
[left] Unfortunately, I am unable to restore those posts from January 20-23, 2017, in one thread, the "Darren Appreciation Thread: General News about Darren for 2017."
If anyone remembers if they posted in the "Darren Appreciation Thread: General News about Darren for 2017" from January 20- 23, 2017, feel free to re-post your comments in this thread. I apologize if I lost any members' posts.
I think that almost all of the posts during that time period in this one thread were done by me, but I'm not completely sure.
Going through what Darren Criss Army and Daily Darren News posted during January 20-23, I have re-posted some of the events that they covered from January 20-23, 2017 (the time period of the lost posts in this thread).
Thank you everyone for your patience.
* * *
Here are some of the pics and videos that I am re-posting that were posted by Daily Darren News and Darren Criss Army, from January 20-23, 2017.
The anniversary of Darren's performance on January 19, 2013 at Barack Obama's Kids' Inaugural concert:
THROWBACK THURSDAY: Darren Criss, Naya Rivera and Amber Riley performing at Barack Obama’s Kids’ Inaugural, January 19, 2013 (Source: youtube.com) via DarrenCrissArmy
From dailydarrennews:
fallenjunkie: Darren at the unveiling of the Century Plaza Hotel via the centuryplazala instagram stories (January 19th, 2017) January 20 2017 (Source)
I love this pic and Darren's message about President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama:
darrencriss: … No, thank YOU, Mr. President. This photo was taken four years ago tomorrow, and marks one of the greatest honors of my life. Thank you, Obamas, for your leadership, your grace, your strength, your compassion, your humor- the list goes on and on. You have been and will continue to be an inspiration to us all, for generations to come. Also let’s be real, hot damn what a great lookin’ couple. Can’t wait to see what you do next. #tbt January 20 2017 dailydarrennews
Not sure what this is or means, but it sounds intriguing.
blfarber#LetsBeEmo & #DarrenCriss scheming a couple things for 2017! January 20 2017 dailydarrennews
This is a cute video. I think this is about the birthday of a friend of Mia's? I think, but am not sure that is Mr. Hudson? Darren is an adorable dork.
Via Mia’s snapchat (January 22nd, 2017) mypatronusismalec
Lilikoiluv wrote:Awww, love, Love, LOVE that photo and caption of Lena and Darren's Hedwig hands! I also the love the friendship these two seem to have developed, and can't wait to see it translated into their performances and Hedwig and Yitzhak's relationship.
Yes! It's nice to see the mutual support of each other!
Cute cupcakes! The person posting is the same person who posted about Darren's SF shirt. She is a costume designer, who was nominated for a Tony Award in the category Best Costume Design for a Play, for her work Hedwig and the Angry Inch, on Broadway.
[mention]Lin[/mention] wrote:I saw that you got us confirmation on Twitter, well done!
[size=13]lol. Yes, I have no pride and asked SHN if they would be posting the conversation portion of the evening, and they tweeted back, "Yes. Stay tuned . . . " I'm so looking forward to hearing those three chat about Hedwig. What an incredible opportunity that was! They seemed to have had a running "shower" joke after Darren's slip in "showering praise" on Stephen, so that should be fun to watch too. [/size]
I realize that it's good publicity for them too, but I'm thankful to SHN for recording the event in HD and sharing it with fans.
[mention]Poppy[/mention] wrote: Maybe he'll even get carwashed . . . One can only hope.
Don't get my hopes up, Poppy! If they keep the staging similar to the Belasco's we'll be in the correct area, but I bit too far from the aisle, I'm afraid. lol.
And thank you for sharing in my excitement, Poppy.
Saw this piece of nostalgia come across my tumblr dash:
ariannephillips: throwing back to my first meeting with @darrencriss for @hedwigonbway at my house trying on his bespoke HEDWIG boots {#}hedwigandtheangryinch{/#} {#}costume{/#} {#}tbt{/#} {#}ariannearchive{/#} {#}darrencriss{/#}
I love how Darren's t-shirt choice back then unknowingly foreshadowed future Hedwig events.
dailydarrennews wrote: Thank YOU for a fabulous first year!
Today marks the first anniversary of the day Nadine and I created this blog and we both wanted to quickly send all of you a warm and heartfelt THANK YOU!
You guys have been amazing, this blog has grown so much in the past year and it’s all because of you. We’re both grateful that so many of you have joined the ride and continue to support us every day, here and on Twitter. So again, thank you!
To celebrate this first year with you, we’ve freshened up the layout both here and on Twitter, and we’ll soon be adding a FAQ section as well!
Here’s to another year around, well, not the sun, but Darren! Laura & Nadine #HappyBirthdayDDN
August 25 2016
We are fortunate that these two hard-working, efficient , loyal fans of Darren have stepped up to update their fellow Darren fans about Darren's busy life. I'm grateful to them.
Andy and Micheal's wedding: another pic. Looks very elegant.
seangrandillo: The #tbt fodder provided by #EloiseHasTwoDads is unbelievable. The limit does not exist.
In other news:
Darren has reached 2 million followers on Twitter on August 25th, 2016.
@adoptolderkids: Wow! #TBT to last year’s FABULOUS #Stars4FosterKids Benefit! @MeganHilty & @DarrenCriss onstage for the big finale!
Seth Rudetsky and his husband organized another Stars for Foster Kids (Voices for the Voiceless) fundraiser this year! Yea! Such a great cause, with a great need. I hope Darren has time to make a little appearance. BroadwayWorld article: Link
DCN garglerspy: A very starkid reunion - so stoked!
Cute little video from Darren (he looks adorable with the Harry Potter lightning drawn on his forehead), posting the link until I practice Lin's awesome tech skills of embedding the video:
DarrenCriss: A Very StarKid Reunion. It’s happening. Right. Now. DCN
therealteamstarkid: GO BLUE!!!!! #AVSR @umichsmtd DCN
umichsmtd: Team Starkid - A Totally Awesome show! Thanks for coming back to join us for the Dept. of Theatre & Drama’s 100th birthday! DCN
An edit:
x DCN
A Very Starkid Reunion | October 8, 2015 DCN
[HQ] Alums Joey Richter, Darren Criss, and Lauren Lopez perform at “A Very Starkid Reunion” in honor of the 100th anniversary of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance at the Power Center on Thursday. | Source
DCN
Note: The Source listed has a photo gallery, for anyone interested.
badgersinbowties:
14 year old me is crying. 21 year old me had an incredible time with alums from her school and is so happy she got to catch up with an old friend (and also got to party with the radest people alive). Team Starkid– thank you for being so fucking great. Can’t wait for the next time
DCN
dylansaunders: I’m heading home and am still pinching myself. So many incredible memories, loves, smells and milestones came flooding back to me this week. My artist-self came of age in Ann Arbor, and to be back performing where it all started was a beautiful, humbling and hilarious experience. It wouldn’t be accurate to say this school changed my life–it defined it. Feeling eternally grateful for the time I had at the University of Michigan, and for the friendships I forged there. Happy 100th Birthday to my beloved Department of Theatre & Drama, and thank you for continuing to lead me down the greatest artistic path a fellow could ask for. #GoBlue#Theatre100#AVSR @umichsmtd @uofmichigan @therealteamstarkid DCN
tmierno: Check this cutie out DCN
janel-moloney: 100 Years of Theatre: Alumni Reflections with StarKid DCN
hedwig-darren: 100 Years of Theatre: Alumni Reflections with StarKid DCN
nikkihorowitz: Check out this video Marisa Diamond and I made for The Michigan Daily about 100 Years of Theatre at U of M and StarKidPotter!! Special thanks to Alison Hacker for being the best interviewer, Nicky Lang, Darren Criss and the rest of Starkids. What a great weekend!
slowpez8: #tbt to last week and the exact moment when we realized that we are POSSIBLY too old for college parties.
This is a very cute pic of Darren and his friend, Lily Marks.
lilyrosemarks: This guy! #tbt @darrencriss #avsr DCN
jlbeatty: A VERY STARKID REUNION releases at midnight tonight! And we all turn back into pumpkins!!! #avsr (Link to purchase)
Link DCN
This is impressive and also very interesting: An article in Forbes about StarKid: Forbes: "Darren Criss and Team StarKid Talk Capitalizing on Viral Success"
Some nice quotes from the the Forbes article, courtesy of DCN:
"My heart will always be in theater; I would always rather do a play – always." — Darren Criss (Forbes.com) DCN
" [Darren] Criss, an original StarKid founder, songwriter, and actor, explains how their pioneering use of the Internet to spread theater was partly a financial decision. “There wasn’t a wave to be ridden; (our initial viral success) was an accident,” Criss said. “We put (AVPM) on YouTube simply because that was cheaper than making DVDs and shipping it out to people.” Most notably, Criss’ work in the AVPM series may have played a role in sparking the attention of director Ryan Murphy and Glee’s casting directors. While he has since soared to Hollywood fame – starring opposite Kristen Wiig in the Girl Most Likely and receiving an Emmy nomination for his original song in Glee – he still returns to his classic theater roots to occasionally perform with StarKid. “My heart will always be in theater; I would always rather do a play – always,” Criss admitted. Most recently, he took his second lead on Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, after his 2011 debut in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. " — Darren Criss And Team StarKid Talk Capitalizing On Viral Success (Forbes.com) DCN
A very interesting review, with the writer noting Darren's ability to adapt from solo artist to team player. Hypable: "‘A Very StarKid Reunion’ is a nostalgic must-have for fans"
hypable:
‘A Very StarKid Reunion’ is a nostalgic must-have for fans The latest offering from fandom’s most beloved theater troupe Team StarKid is a DVD filmed at their one-off A Very StarKid Reunion, a live concert performed in October in honor of their alma mater’s 100th anniversary.
Some nice quotes from this review:
Hypable Review wrote:Opening with the number that made them an instant internet sensation, Darren Criss leads most of the original cast of A Very Potter Musical in “Goin’ Back To Hogwarts,” in which the entrance of every character is met with wild cheers, and the sentiment “it’s great to come back to where we began” holds a special significance. This is the night’s first moment in which UMich is branded as Team StarKid’s very own Hogwarts, but it won’t be the last.
Hypable Review wrote:. . . for example, Darren Criss introduced Starship, a show he composed but wasn’t able to perform in, and described his odd, and rather sad, disconnect from the group as he was working on the show’s music while filming his first season on Glee.
For StarKid fans — especially old-school StarKid fans — the Darren Criss situation is always going to be weird, and his presence at events like this always has us heaving a sigh of relief. From what we’ve heard from the rest of the StarKid gang, that sentiment seems to extend to them, at times, too.
Hypable Review wrote:Perhaps Criss, like most of the Glee fandom, is still feeling some burnout from the show’s less-than-graceful demise, but regardless, he is a star, and he has the ambition and the resume to prove it. This is a guy who entered a hit TV show as a guest actor and who left five years later as its leading male, who recently carried a taxing one-man Broadway show (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) on his back. He’s an enigmatic solo performer, but one of my favorite things about Criss is that when he’s with Team StarKid, he never seems to pull focus. His number in the A Very Potter Sequel segment (which happens to be one of the best songs he’s ever personally penned) is as show-stopping as anything he’s ever done onstage, and yet even that still doesn’t turn the night into The Darren Criss Variety Hour.
Hypable Review wrote: Criss is excellent at turning on the celebrity factor. He’s also excellent at turning it off. He’s, above all, adaptable, and despite the fact that he appears in this concert as one of its big draws, in the lead role of Harry, his presence feels just as expected, yet just as unremarkable, as any of the returning cast. He’s one of the gang, as happy to dance in back as lead up front, and in the best possible way, he doesn’t stand out. This isn’t new: this is a quality that fans have witnessed every time Criss has returned to perform with StarKid over the past five years, and it makes sense: he’s not competing with these people, there’s nothing to prove and nothing at stake. It’s just what he comes home to.
I love how happy Darren is when he is with StarKids. It really does seem like StarKids is his "home," his safe place, his joyous place. I also love how although Darren does shine as a solo performer, on his own, that he also is just as happy to be a team player, especially when he is with his close friends, those who make up StarKids.
More media coverage of the reunion:
Source (Detroit Free Press) DCN
Same interview of Darren: Detroit Free Press: "Darren Criss shares University of Michigan memories"
Another interview: The Michigan Daily: "My day at rehearsal with StarKids"
Lin wrote:No, I don't know when exactly he returned. The wedding was on Friday in Massachusetts and he was spotted in LA on Tuesday, so it wasn't necessarily that quick. I just thought if he was only working on his own projects like planning Elsie and writing music right now, he might have stuck around in NYC a little and watched some shows. Maybe he has simply seen every single show currently on Broadway already. And I usually don't pay too much attention to his whereabouts, but I saw that Mia was celebrating Pride with Andy Mientus in NYC on Sunday and Darren didn't seem to be with them, so I wondered if he had somewhere else to be. Soooo really just random wishful thinking on my part!
Thanks for the clarification, Lin. I didn't really know when the wedding was, or where, so thanks for letting me know that. And I thought the same thing you did, after seeing Mia celebrating Pride with Andy Mientus in NYC, I wondered why Darren was not there with them. So of course, I started wondering if he was back in L.A., working on a project (and like you said, wondering if it was one of his non-personal projects, because working on Elsie Fest or his album could be done in NYC).
Some of my favorite photos from The Little Mermaid at the Hollywood Bowl.
dailydarrennews
jodi.benson: @hollywoodbowl The Little Mermaid memories with @sarabareilles @darrencriss (June 3, 2016)
dailydarrennews
jodi.benson: Fantastic performance @darrencriss [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] (June 3, 2016)
dailydarrennews
jodi.benson: I think he’s a Mermaid fan! Loved sharing the stage with you tonight @darrencriss You are an incredible talent and such a kind person [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] (June 3, 2016)
dailydarrennews Source
June 3, 2016
A cute fan edit:
ms-elphaba-evangeline Excuse me … *Screams * I’m FINE
I really like these two pics. He looks so happy.
dailydarrennews crossmyharts: darren looking precious during bows last night (June 4, 2016)
These pics are also very nice:
dailydarrennews ehhmuhhhhh: Darren Criss (June 4, 2016)
Pic of Darren with his idol, Alan Menken:
dailydarrennews entertainmentweekly:[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], personal hero and composer of the [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.], along with SO many of our favorite Disney tunes! Dude’s got mad gills. - @darrencriss [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] THANK YOU @entertainmentweekly for having me! (June 4, 2016)
Broadway.com Randall Michelson Photography
Billboard Randall Michelson Photography
dailydarrennews jodi.benson Sending a HUGE thank you and much gratitude to all of the amazing individuals that made [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] success! Richard Kraft @kraft.richard & Laura Engel [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Executive Producers from Kraft -Engel Management & from CAMI Columbia Artists Management @columbia_artists Tim Fox, Alison Ahart Williams and Erica Noguchi & @Disney. It was such an honor to share the @hollywoodbowlstage with @sarabareilles @darrencriss @rebelwilson @titusssawthis @thenormlewis @alanmenken @johnstamos [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] Thank you so much for this “once in a lifetime” magical weekend of concerts! All my love & God bless, Jodi
dailydarrennews jodi.benson[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.] It was such an honor and a privilege to meet the kind, gracious & loving parents of @darrencriss Darren is a true gentleman and professional and it was a blessing to work with him. Young Hollywood gets a hard time sometimes but I can tell you that this young star will have in incredibly bright future ahead of him! [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.][You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Aw, I love this sweet message from Jodi Benson, talking about Darren's strong character (as well as his talent): "Darren is a true gentleman and professional and it was a blessing to work with him. Young Hollywood gets a hard time sometimes but I can tell you that this young star will have in incredibly bright future ahead of him!" Also love her kind comments about Darren's parents.
jodi.benson#tbt It was such an honor and a privilege to meet the kind, gracious & loving parents of @darrencriss Darren is a true gentleman and professional and it was a blessing to work with him. Young Hollywood gets a hard time sometimes but I can tell you that this young star will have in incredibly bright future ahead of him! #littlemermaidlive#princeeric#family#dreambigprincess
Look at Darren in the background of the first pic. Looks like he just had taken, or is about to take a pic of his mom talking to Jodi. Look how pleased he looks.