Darren Appreciation Thread: General News about Darren for 2016

I meant to come back to this Glee-related news posted by dailydarrennews, but forgot to, due to all the videos and pics about The Little Mermaid rehearsals. 

After first being introduced to Kurt Hummel (played by Chris Colfer) as he was being thrown into a dumpster on the series premiere of Glee, the Fox show tackled gay issues big and small, bringing LGBT storylines to the forefront. In 2010, Kurt met the swoontastic (and equally out) Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss), causing the audience to cry “squee!” into their Tumblrs and Twitter accounts at the same time. Blaine and the Warblers serenaded Kurt with Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” and the Glee cast earned its best single sales week for a download with the song’s release (214,000, according to Nielsen SoundScan).

 - 25 Pivotal LGBT Moments In Music  | billboard




klaine-run-the-world:
cosmopolitan.com

So I'm going to see The Little Mermaid at the Hollywood Bowl tonight.  So I won't be updating much on this forum before the show tonight at 8 pm.   I'll post my views on tonight's show (although you can probably guess I'm gonna love every minute of it!) tomorrow.    I hope everyone is enjoying all the videos from last night!    When you have a huge outdoor arena filled with lots of Darren fans, you are gonna get a lot of videos. 

I see quite a few guests.  Please register!   I would love to talk with all of you.  If you know me on the GF, I'm pretty friendly.  All fans of Darren are welcome here.   My philosophy is to be inclusive and to have a warm, safe place to talk about Darren.

Hillary Clinton was in Sacramento, CA on Sunday, campaigning for the election occurring this coming Tuesday June 7.    She was at Sacramento City College.

From dailydarrencriss:

Darren expressed his support of Hillary today in Sacramento, and urged everyone to make sure to vote and to urge others they know to vote, noting how scary a time it is (although he didn't mention Trump himself, at least in these videos).

I'm so impressed with Darren that he continues to be involved in politics and in social issues.  It's evident he really cares.

I can't embed but I'll link to the videos.  Thank you dailydarrennews for capturing these videos.

Links to videos:

1)  dailydarrennews-video
"Vu Chau Actor @DarrenCriss at #HillaryinSac rally. YASSSSSSSSSS the Gleek inside me is screaming hard"

2)  dailydarrennews- video
"Brent Finke ‏Just being surprised by @DarrenCriss no big deal"

3)  dailydarrennews- video
Hillary Clinton rally in Sacramento - June 5, 2016 | Source

Cute video with Hillary Clinton with Darren and Mia:
dailydarrennews
@DarrenCriss: What an amazing day. Thank you, @HillaryClinton . Seeya at the polls on Tuesday, California! #imwithher


darrencriss: What an amazing day. Thank you, @hillaryclinton . Seeya at the polls on Tuesday, California! #imwithher


More pics of Darren at the Hillary rally









Darren Criss at rally for Hillary Clinton in Sacramento on June 5, 2016 (x|x|x|x|x)

From dailydarrennews:





Some more videos at the Hillary rally in Sacramento

A longer video:
(1)
"It's a pretty scary time." 
"He's running a campaign predicated on fear and theatrics."
dailydarrennews Video
"avenuekjb: Also, thanks to @darrencriss for coming through to show his support for Hillary! #hillaryclinton #hillary2016 #imwithher #fightingforus #everything #sacramento #getintoit #voteblue #darrencriss"


(2)
dailydarrennews Video
Two more videos of Darren at the Hillary Clinton rally in Sacramento - June 5, 2016 [x|x]


(3)
dailydarrennews Video
@shmoland: .@DarrenCriss - “Thank God for Hillary Clinton.” @TheStateHornet








 
Darren Criss at a rally for Hillary Clinton in Sacramento on June5, 2016 (x|x|x|x)




Klaine in the news:

Blaine and Kurt, Glee.
Their couple name is so perfect–Klaine! So short and sweet and wonderful–that they kind of had to end up together. Oh also they were an inspiration to plenty of struggling teenagers across the country. But that name though! | TV’s 50 Greatest Couples Ever

Darren being his usual, supportive self and congratulating people on their Drama Desk Awards (held last night, Sunday).





Christopher Fitzgerald starred in Girl Most Likely with Darren, but Darren has been a fan of Christopher's work for a while.  Christopher won "Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical" for his work in Waitress. 

Cynthia Erivo won "Outstanding Actress in a Musical" for The Color Purple

And Darren's U of Michigan friends Pasek and Paul won "Outstanding Lyrics" for Dear Evan Hansen

From dailydarrennews:

Love Darren combining humor, with being a good citizen and voting today in California. 


darrencriss DETOV I !!!

Just a reminder:  

The date by which Darren's t-shirt--"I'm in Love with a Teenage Mermaid"--is available is June 14 (about 6 days left).  Represent.com

From dailydarrennews:

Funny and weird video about using social media, with some comments from Darren. 



 


Short video of Da Man at their Celebration, with cute comments from Darren.   He appears twice in the video





gif of Darren in the Da Man video

 

 
laura-belle






Some pics from the past:

A photo of Darren accompanying this fan at the Tony Awards 2015. 

@AmyTrigg: Year ago yesterday since @DarrenCriss and I went on a date to some awards show. #itwasntadate #orwasit



Going even further back in time with this photo.  Glee Live was in 2011.   He hasn't aged much at all, has he? 

@nikolezane: @DarrenCriss 5 years ago you were in traffic in the car in front of me on the way to Glee Live in Philly. best day.

From dailydarrennews:

A video from Da Man:



Darren Criss’ Red Carpet Interview at the 9th DA MAN Anniversary Party

Omg! Darren and Loki in that first photo upthread! The height difference! Maybe they were talking about the possibility of Darren appearing in Thor Ragnarokkk. Darren would totally kick ass as a Viking God. He could play Balder.


That Da Man video....
 He's so beautiful!

ha!  But Tom is what, 6'2"?   Anyone standing next to him would look short by comparison.     (I would look like a child next to Tom.  I'm very short.)

YES!  Good idea, dusty!   Let's have Darren in Thor!   I have no idea who Balder is, but I trust your judgment.    Dusty is good about keeping updated on entertainment news. 

He's looking good. 

Darren was out and about.    Having some fun, and just relaxing. 


Spotted at Disneyland.


belleybuttons:
avery_schroeder: You’re the Mickey to my Minnie. The Tigger to my Winnie…Darren?   #averypottermusical





June 11, 2016



And he went to the Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA.  Yes, that's Vanessa you see. 



stevenhimmel: Another fantastic night at the Magic Castle! #amagicallife #stevenhimmelmagic

stevenhimmel: Such a fun night at the Magic Castle! #amagicallife #stevenhimmelmagic




Only about 1 more day to buy Darren's t-shirt. 


Partial proceeds go to Musicians On Call.  represent.com




More from Da Man:










[HQ] Darren Criss featured in the June-July issue of Daman Magazine

"I might have peed myself a little"

uh oh.      Jeremy, are you ok?



From dailydarrennews:

Some more pics from Disneyland, with some nice messages from those who met Darren. 

@sonny_buns: I got to meet @DarrenCriss last night! He is an amazingly kind and down to earth human being. So humbled by him!






skye.r: I don’t even care about the quality of the picture I just met Darren Criss and Tracy Morgan in the happiest and most expensive place on Earth yesterday

@shaaylo: In less saddening news I saw @DarrenCriss again yesterday and he’s truly one of the kindest people I’ve ever met



June 11, 2016



I love how Darren shows his appreciation for his fans' support, and tries to build a personal connection with each fan he speaks with. 





And congrats to all the  2016 Tony nominees and winners.   It was a fun show last night.  James Corden did a good job as host.  I found Frank Langella and Lin-Manuel Miranda's words about the tragedy at Orlando to be very moving.

uh oh.      Jeremy, are you ok?

I was laughing about that tweet : 

ha! 

Poppy wrote:ha!  But Tom is what, 6'2"?   Anyone standing next to him would look short by comparison.     (I would look like a child next to Tom.  I'm very short.)

YES!  Good idea, dusty!   Let's have Darren in Thor!   I have no idea who Balder is, but I trust your judgment.    Dusty is good about keeping updated on entertainment news. 

He's looking good. 

Hahahaha, yes, I am short too. 5'1. I'd be a hobitt next top Tom's giant.



Balder was the most loved amongst the norse Gods both amongst men and the gods themselves as he is pure sunshine and delight. He was the god of light, joy, purity, beauty, innocence and reconciliation. He was considered to be the best (as in of character) out of the Gods.


One of the most famous stories in norse mythology concerns Balder. He was the son of Odin and Frigg. Frigg kept dreaming about Balder dying and so she set out on a quest where she made every creature on earth swear an oath not to harm him and everyone did. The gods then happily amused themselves using Balder as a target for weapon throwing, safe in the knowledge nothing could harm him.

However Loki, in disguise, managed to get information from Frigg that she hadn't asked the mistletoe because she thought it'd be too small to swear an oath. So Loki got the mistletoe and tricked the blind Hod (Balder's brother) into shooting it at Balder and so Balder died. Odin pleaded for his life and the god of the underworld said Balder would get his life back if everything and everyone in the world wept for him. All did, except for Loki, and so Balder remained in the underworld. And to bring this full circle, never forget to include the smallest little thing, we can still be mighty! hahahahaha!

Great pictures Poppy! I wonder how many times he has been to Disneyland now? He probably has a loyalty card! Aw, nice to see Vanessa in that picture. it's always nice to see the Gleeks hang out.

dusty wrote:Balder was the most loved amongst the norse Gods both amongst men and the gods themselves as he is pure sunshine and delight. He was the god of light, joy, purity, beauty, innocence and reconciliation. He was considered to be the best (as in of character) out of the Gods.


One of the most famous stories in norse mythology concerns Balder. He was the son of Odin and Frigg. Frigg kept dreaming about Balder dying and so she set out on a quest where she made every creature on earth swear an oath not to harm him and everyone did. The gods then happily amused themselves using Balder as a target for weapon throwing, safe in the knowledge nothing could harm him.

However Loki, in disguise, managed to get information from Frigg that she hadn't asked the mistletoe because she thought it'd be too small to swear an oath. So Loki got the mistletoe and tricked the blind Hod (Balder's brother) into shooting it at Balder and so Balder died. Odin pleaded for his life and the god of the underworld said Balder would get his life back if everything and everyone in the world wept for him. All did, except for Loki, and so Balder remained in the underworld. And to bring this full circle, never forget to include the smallest little thing, we can still be mighty! hahahahaha!

dusty, color me impressed with your knowledge of mythology.   I want to be sitting with you when I watch a Thor movie!     When you were describing Balder, as "the god of light, joy, purity, beauty, innocence and reconciliation," I have to admit I did think of Darren.    ha!  I can see Darren playing a funny scene of ducking items thrown at him by the other gods as target practice. 

dusty wrote:Great pictures Poppy! I wonder how many times he has been to Disneyland now? He probably has a loyalty card! Aw, nice to see Vanessa in that picture. it's always nice to see the Gleeks hang out.

Thanks dusty!   dusty, Lin, Jeremy, and Lilikoiluv, I know some of you guys have stored in your minds some Darren trivia.  I thought I read some where that Darren's voice was recorded for a Star Wars-related ride in Disneyland.   Does anyone remember this?    I thought his StarKid representative (Pat Brady) commented how Darren was screaming like a little kid when she told him the good news.   Sorry, that was pretty random of me.  That thought popped in my mind when dusty mentioned Darren's love of Disneyland.   How fitting of Darren to make a trip to  Disneyland right after he finished performing in The Little Mermaid Concerts at the Hollywood Bowl! 




From dailydarrennews:


The Greatest LGBT TV Characters of All Time
Santana Lopez, Blaine Anderson and Kurt Hummel, Glee (Naya Rivera, Darren Criss and Chris Colfer)
Santana (Rivera) didn’t get the story development she deserved when she came out, but she spat in the face of lesbian stereotypes and never apologized for who she was on Glee. Meanwhile, the Kurt (Colfer) and Blaine (Criss) love saga became the backbone of the show in later seasons and fostered one of the most ferocious online followings. #Klaine forever.









Photo strip of Ian, Chad and Darren from Hedwig in the AGBW NYC Fanjoy box | Source




Final number of t-shirts sold: 569 | June 14, 2016


His shirt didn't make the estimated goal.   I think part of the issue was that although the photo of his 16-year old self is adorable, it may not have been something that everyone wanted to wear (especially the older fans ).     It is for a good cause, with partial proceeds going to Musicians on Call, so I'm sure they will be happy to receive the donated funds.  

Poppy wrote:Thanks dusty!   dusty, Lin, Jeremy, and Lilikoiluv, I know some of you guys have stored in your minds some Darren trivia.  I thought I read some where that Darren's voice was recorded for a Star Wars-related ride in Disneyland.   Does anyone remember this?    I thought his StarKid representative (Pat Brady) commented how Darren was screaming like a little girl when she told him the good news.   Sorry, that was pretty random of me.  That thought popped in my mind when dusty mentioned Darren's love of Disneyland.   How fitting of Darren to make a trip to  Disneyland right after he finished performing in The Little Mermaid Concerts at the Hollywood Bowl! 

If only someone would pay us for rattling off random Darren trivia.  :Wink:
It's such a cute little story. The best part is that he had already booked Glee, but was still getting so excited about doing a background voice on an amusement park ride. And he'd probably still be excited about it today after all the other cool things he's done since.

Disneyland Star Tours story:

I remember that Disneyland ride story too! So cute!

Poppy, about the t-shirts, I agree that more people might have bought them if they had a newer picture of him on it. Also, for us who are passed our teenage years might feel weird having a t-shirt saying they're in love with a teenage mermaid! Hahahahahaha! I know I would! Generally I don't like merchandise that are emblazoned with the artists face/name. I prefer it to be more subtle.