Fan Experiences During 2016

From Darren Criss Army:







 


mlkalmar:
OMG. Saw Hedwig in San Fran this afternoon and Darren was amazing. But then my awesome sister waited with me in the heat to meet him and he was just the nicest guy! You always wonder if what people say is true but in this case, everyone is so right. Darren Criss is just a lovely, gracious person and I am so happy I had the chance to briefly meet him. And of course, Hedwig was amazing!!
via DarrenCrissArmy

From dailydarrennews:

Hedwig show--SF

Another video of Darren speaking Japanese with a fan.  He initiated speaking Japanese when she said she is from Japan. 











na-page did a gif set with translation. 

   

     

   

October 7, 2016 - Darren speaking Japanese.
na-page


Hi Lilikoiluv! 

I love all of these posts!  Thank you everyone, for sharing!

Poppy wrote:From dailydarrennews:

Cute video of Darren and a fan speaking Japanese, complete with a bow from Darren at the end.



October 7, 2016 | x




Lilikoiluv, can you translate (if you can hear).  I don't speak Japanese (my mom barely could speak Japanese).   

Darren is the sweetest with fans, isn't he?  I so admire the way he takes the time to make a connection, however brief, with people he meets.  Such a class act and wonderful human being.   8)

What a cute meeting between Darren and the fan from Japan! 
Here's what I can hear: 

Darren (in English): Hi there! Hi.
Girl (in English): Um, I'm from Japan...
Darren:  Ah, do you understand Japanese?
Girl:  Yes, I undestand.
Darren:  I understand a little bit. 
Girl:  Ah! Thank you very much! 
    *I guess she's excited to hear him speak Japanese and thanks him for doing so?*
Darren:  Thank you very much!

The Girl explains to Darren, in English, that she saw Hedwig in NYC last year.
Darren (in English) Oh, wonderful! Thank you for coming back.
Darren:  Isn't the weather nice?

     *October in San Francisco is considered "Indian Summer" weather where it's 
      a bit warmer and drier than usual. October is supposedly one of the best times
      to visit the city, so I think that's what he's commenting about.*

I can't hear what the girl replies well, but . . . 
Darren:  That's true, isn't it/ I agree. 
The girl says something else, but I can't make it out completely.  I hear "sugoi" which means wonderful or impressive. I'm not sure if she's still talking about the weather or about meeting Darren. ha! 

Darren: See you next time/Until we meet again.
They shake hands, bow, and thank each other again. 

Darren (in English): Cool. 
He asks her what her name is (Harumi), and introduces himself.  I find it so endearing when he introduces himself to fans.  

Darren (in English):  Thank you so much.  We'll see you next time!
Girl:  Ya, tomorrow.
Darren (in English): Tomorrow! Oh cool!
Darren:  See you next time/until we meet again. (laughs)

I hope that made sense.

Edited to Add:  Ooops. Sorry, I typed out and lost my first translation, and then while I was relistening to the video and retyping the conversation out, the amazing Poppy posted the wonderful gif set that explains what was said so much better than my attempt. *cringes* 

Ah well, it gives me an opportunity to respond to what Poppy and Jeremy had said earlier about meeting Darren.  I too have never felt the need to meet Darren.  I've always wanted to enjoy seeing him perform live though...for like forever!

Lin, Jeremy, and everyone else in Europe, I know how you feel about the lack of opportunities to see Darren perform. My response when Darren announces yet another lovely endeavor, is usually something like, "the hardships of living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean." lol.  BUT, Darren has done some lovely things, in Europe, and I'm sure great things are in store for his European fans! Le't's hope that a European tour...that you can easily attend!...will happen next year when he releases his fabulous new album!!!  I am crossing my fingers, toes, eyeballs, and whatever else I can think of for you guys!    When it does happen, we will celebrate in forums for real!!! 

Lilikoiluv!  Thanks so much for translating!    That is so nice of you!   I really appreciate it.  I'm so sorry you lost your first translation.  It must have taken a lot of time to translate it the first time and then you did it again.  You are so kind.  It's so nice of you to take the time, and also to add a lot of detail.  Thanks soooo much!   And you even explained Indian summer in SF too. 

Lilikoiluv wrote:Darren is the sweetest with fans, isn't he?  I so admire the way he takes the time to make a connection, however brief, with people he meets.  Such a class act and wonderful human being.  

Yes, everything you said, Lilikoiluv!   He is the absolute sweetest!  I didn't listen to the video carefully the first time, and I didn't realize that he was the one to initiate speaking Japanese to her.   She must have been so happy to hear him speak Japanese to her, knowing the special effort he was making to communicate with her.  He seemed pleased to hear that she had seen him last summer in Hedwig in NYC, and that she was coming back to see him the next day! 

Lilikoiluv wrote:I hear "sugoi" which means wonderful or impressive. I'm not sure if she's still talking about the weather or about meeting Darren. ha! 

ha!   

Lilikoiluv wrote:I find it so endearing when he introduces himself to fans.  

Me too.  He doesn't assume people know his name, plus he likes to have that exchange between his fans and himself. 

Thanks again, Lilikoiluv, for taking the time to translate with so much detail for us!     We appreciate it soooo much! 

Lilikoiluv wrote:Ah well, it gives me an opportunity to respond to what Poppy and Jeremy had said earlier about meeting Darren.  I too have never felt the need to meet Darren.  I've always wanted to enjoy seeing him perform live though...for like forever!

I'm the same.  I wanted to see him perform live, but don't necessarily need to meet him. 

Lilikoiluv wrote:Lin, Jeremy, and everyone else in Europe, I know how you feel about the lack of opportunities to see Darren perform. My response when Darren announces yet another lovely endeavor, is usually something like, "the hardships of living in the middle of the Pacific Ocean." lol.  BUT, Darren has done some lovely things, in Europe, and I'm sure great things are in store for his European fans! Le't's hope that a European tour...that you can easily attend!...will happen next year when he releases his fabulous new album!!!  I am crossing my fingers, toes, eyeballs, and whatever else I can think of for you guys!    When it does happen, we will celebrate in forums for real!!! 

Aw, so nicely said, Lilikoiluv.   I will join you in crossing fingers and everything else so that he makes it over to Europe some time in the near future (extra extra bonus if it's to tour his album!!!). 



I sent you a PM, Lilikoiluv. 

Poppy wrote:Lilikoiluv!  Thanks so much for translating! 

You're welcome! I'm glad you could understand my haphazard translating attempt. Thank you again for finding and posting that MUCH BETTER gif set with the translations! Tumblr always comes through with these important things Darren fans need to know! 

Poppy wrote: I didn't listen to the video carefully the first time, and I didn't realize that he was the one to initiate speaking Japanese to her.   She must have been so happy to hear him speak Japanese to her, knowing the special effort he was making to communicate with her.

I had mentioned that in my first attempt that got deleted then forgot to include my comment in the rewrite!  Yes, I found it both adorable and funny that Darren spoke in Japanese first--asking a Japanese fan if she understood Japanese.  lol. 
I agree--I think she must have been so tickled to have been able to converse with Darren in Japanese for a bit! How awesome it that! 

I find Darren's pronunciation, inflection, and mannerisms pretty spot on.  His time in Japan paid off. Yet another example of his skill with languages.    

Poppy wrote:I'm the same.  I wanted to see him perform live, but don't necessarily need to meet him.  

Okay, after thinking it over, I need to qualify my answer a bit.

Now, if given the opportunity, I would LOVE to sit and chat with Darren about each and every one of his song compositions.  (Sort of like those snippets Darren did with the Warblers' album.) I would be first in line to meet him for that interaction!  

Lilikoiluv wrote:Yes, I found it both adorable and funny that Darren spoke in Japanese first--asking a Japanese fan if she understood Japanese. 

That's Darren.  Both adorable and funny (and kind, a class act and a wonderful human being as well, as you have said, Lilikoiluv).   

Lilikoiluv wrote: lol. 
I agree--I think she must have been so tickled to have been able to converse with Darren in Japanese for a bit! How awesome it that! 

I find Darren's pronunciation, inflection, and mannerisms pretty spot on.  His time in Japan paid off. Yet another example of his skill with languages.   

That is so nice to hear, about his pronunciation, inflection, and mannerisms while he spoke Japanese. Thanks for sharing your observation, Lilikoiluv.  He's amazing with languages.   I noticed right off that his mannerisms were spot on.  So cute.   

Lilikoiluv wrote:Okay, after thinking it over, I need to qualify my answer a bit.

Now, if given the opportunity, I would LOVE to sit and chat with Darren about each and every one of his song compositions.  (Sort of like those snippets Darren did with the Warblers' album.) I would be first in line to meet him for that interaction!  

Aw, I can imagine you having this conversation, Lilikoiluv.  It would be wonderful! 

Thanks again for your detailed translation!

From dailydarrennews:

Hedwig and the Angry Inch--SF

Darren is just so sweet with his fans.  Look at how he takes the time to chat with everyone, and even introduces himself to the person filming.   Such a nice guy.

From dailydarrennews:

Hedwig show--SF.


This is sweet.  Looks like Darren was commenting on the glittery gold bowtie. 

@Rambo_Ranger_: Still dying, I can’t believe I met him.  @DarrenCriss










Darren was nice enough to take off his glasses so that he could take this pic. 



@creampanda445: How sweet of you to take off glasses and strike the pose! We got this IPhone case on Etzy lol. #DarrenCriss #Hedwig #darrenishedwig
dailydarrennews

From DarrenCrissArmy:


# Repost love_hp_ 

Hedwig & the Angry Inch was an amazing show, and Darren was literally so lovely to us. Such a great end to a great day. I miss these two so much

#hedwigandtheangryinch #darrencriss http://ift.tt/2eEO6eC

From dailydarrennews:

 
Stage Door - October 15, 2016 Source
"Darren Criss hugged Cameron Lindsey...apparently for now her life is complete. Epic fail on my part only catching the end of the hug...he gave her a real hug. Very sincere young man."




Doesn't this sound like a mom, or an aunt?  "Very sincere young man." 

FRom dailydarrennnews:

It's true what this fan says.  You don't need the sound on, you don't need to hear the words being said, because it's clear just watching him in action, how Darren tries to engage with his fans. 




October 19 2016
dailydarrennews

Not sure where to put these comments from folks who met him at St. Ignatius.  Feel free Lilikoiluv, to copy and place them in one of the Hedwig threads (or anywhere else) if you feel they belong there. 



From DarrenCrissArmy:

Cute comments from a teacher.  StarKid fan, I presume.    Am eager to hear what advice Darren gave.  

# Repost j.o.o.l.i.a.b_ 

You guys, I met Harry Freaking Potter. I was shaking and a bit embarrassed but ITS HARRY FREAKING POTTER. #aka #darrencriss #avpm #myschoolisincredible #thanksfortakingapicwithme #eventhoyoowashellatiredandtrynaleave #usedmyteacherprivilegestomeethim #honestlydyingabit

Seriously tho this dude gave some killer advice tonight at my school of which I’m thankful many of my students got to hear. Also, I’m literally a loser for freaking out when he called himself Harry Freaking Potter but like bruh #blessedaf http://ift.tt/2dC5HSF





This is sweet.  She didn't even know who Darren is, but was impressed with his kindness.

I'll be frank, I knew nothing about @DarrenCriss going into the event at SI today, but he is such a kind hearted human. Keep doing you dude!

— Jackie  (@jackattackks), October 19, 2016

@DarrenCriss Hedwig and SI Q&A was better than I had imagined. This 45 yr old, educated, conservative Christian is inspired by you! TY  pic.twitter.com/7eM7OgzpmF

— Shannon Bezak  (@QueenBezak), October 19, 2016

Wow, Darren impressed the hell out of these folks, with his kindness.  Not a surprise at all!

This sounds like this is about Darren being his usual sweet, giving self with fans at stagedoor.

@TheSocialCTV I met @DarrenCriss and he was so kind. He makes eye contact and tries to connect with each fan. Plus he's a great hugger.

— Lindsay  (@canadianlinz), October 19, 2016

Another St. Ignatius friend/alum, who did musicals and choir together with Darren.  So sweet to see him reunited with his old friends.


reezepeeze: #tbt to yesterday. From being in SI musicals & choir together to now being artists in the entertainment industry. Mom, dad– The kids are alright.  credit made possible by @tinrannosaurus #Amdg #wearesi #glee #hedwig #counselorcenterkids #entertainment #music #acting #idoitforthewine #ignatian #artists

Lilikoiluv wrote:

Poppy wrote: I didn't listen to the video carefully the first time, and I didn't realize that he was the one to initiate speaking Japanese to her.   She must have been so happy to hear him speak Japanese to her, knowing the special effort he was making to communicate with her.

I had mentioned that in my first attempt that got deleted then forgot to include my comment in the rewrite!  Yes, I found it both adorable and funny that Darren spoke in Japanese first--asking a Japanese fan if she understood Japanese.  lol. 
I agree--I think she must have been so tickled to have been able to converse with Darren in Japanese for a bit! How awesome it that! 

The fact that he can speak so many languages, even if it's just a few words or phrases, is SUCH an awesome way to make a connection with fans in these short interactions.
(I think this hasn't been posted?) Here he is speaking some German - made me smile even just watching the video.

onlydeathwillpartusnow:

This is the video of Darren snatching my phone and talking in German and just being a cutie… 
Hedwig Stage Door 10/18/2016 - 8pm show

[wie gehts = how are you
danke schön = thank you (very much)
tschüss = bye
mein Deutsch ist schlecht = my German is bad]

Lin wrote:
The fact that he can speak so many languages, even if it's just a few words or phrases, is SUCH an awesome way to make a connection with fans in these short interactions.
(I think this hasn't been posted?) Here he is speaking some German - made me smile even just watching the video.

I agree with you completely, Lin!  It is such a wonderful way for Darren to connect with his fans.  I love how much effort he puts into engaging with his fans.  Thanks so much for posting that cute video (and for posting the translation below!).  Those fans seemed really thrilled to hear him speak Germain.  Very sweet!



From dailydarrennews:


matificara    the most genuine human being!! thank you so much to my favorite person.  love love love talking with you :')






# Repost ahochhal

Met #darrencriss tonight after seeing the awesome musical #hedwigandtheangryinch. What an awesome dude, taking time to talk to everyone who waited for a sighting.  http://ift.tt/2ez9q1f
via DarrenCrissArmy





# Repost nancypisa

Thank you so much for a great show #darrencriss!! Thanks for taking the time to meet so many of us at the stage door after the show too . #shnsf #hedwigshn http://ift.tt/2dWX4Qm
via DarrenCrissArmy

From dailydarrennews:


It's sweet of Darren to be supportive of fellow artists. 

@mati_ficara  DARREN CRISS TOLD ME GOOD LUCK AT ART SCHOOL SO IF U HAVE EVER TOLD ME ART SCHOOL IS UNREALISTIC THERES RHE DOOR!!!






 matificara  never been more self assured that i'm in the right place doing what i love.  always grateful for this guy to remind of that.

From dailydarrennews:

It's really admirable how much Darren attempts to connect with each of his fans.  You can tell the fans just love this and appreciate his efforts so much. I especially liked how he gave some advice to the guy who wanted to go to U of Michigan. I wonder if the person whose name is Ashley, who said Darren is her favorite of all the Hedwigs she has seen and who said that she saw him in Hedwig on Broadway is Ashley Riela (@VanillaRiela)?  (I posted a couple of Ashley Riela's tweets in the Hedwig Tour here: Fan Reviews (Post 46).  Some of her comments are also in the Fan Reviews for Hedwig on Broadway too, click Here (Post 28)).  Interesting that Darren said he preferred the SF show a little more because they made the show a little tighter.


I like how the security guard in the background is trying not to smile.  But he fails. 



Posted October 21, 2016
dailydarrennews




This person who posted the video also tweeted this:

(from dailydarrennews:)



@ChatterboxRose  He's beauty and he's grace.




Here's a pic of Darren being kind to the guy who said he wanted to go to U of Michigan.

Source






Cute pics and nice message.



Anthya Flores: Darren Criss!!! A real talented Artist and a great person!








Darren spends almost the same amount of time with fans at stage door, as he does doing the Hedwig show, depending on how big the crowd is at stage door on any particular night. 

@DarrenCriss did an amazing performance of Hedwig in SF then spent close to an hour signing autographs. You totally ROCK!

— Susan Gaydon  (@SusanGaydon), October 22, 2016

-


This is a sweet story:


nachochang:

nachochang wrote:We waited for Darren at the stage door and when he got to us, he saw my bag and asked if he could sign it.
When my mom told him that we were looking forward to his next project, his eyes lit up and he exclaims, “That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said. Come here,” and he scoops my mom up in a hug and kisses her cheek!! 

via mysecretfandomgarden






From dailydarrennews:

The message of this fan about her aunt and Darren is moving.


 

 

@AsherKashani    @DarrenCriss thank you for taking the time to actually talk to my aunt even though she's hard to understand. it made her day (and mine!)







This is a cute video.  The parents in the video seemed happy to meet Darren too.  I liked how he thanked the parents (although the "F" word was a bit risky to use in front of parents, but hey, it's Darren. )

Jaeda:~) ‏@jaedaaaaa I can’t believe we met @darrencriss !!
via DarrenCrissArmy

From daily darren news







@Christie_N83   @DarrenCriss thanks for making my birthday awesome!!! #bestshowever









lena_randall: So yeah Darren Criss is also a talented cameraman. I just wish I told him how much I appreciated the work he put into his performance and giving out such positive vibes even after the show for everybody who comes to see him. Love this guy  #hedwig #hedwigandtheangryinch #sanfransisco #darrencriss #darrencrissisperfection