Groff to join cast of "Glee"...

Jonathan Groff will be reuniting with his "Spring Awakening" co-star Lea Michelle by guest-starring on the Fox hit, "Glee". He will be playing one of Lea's love interests on the show and has signed on for 5 or 6 episodes. Although the writing on the show is mediocre at best, millions of people tune in every week to hear the largely Broadway-alum cast sing popular songs including "Don't Stop Believin" and "Put a Ring on It". Groff will certainly add to the vocal power on the show, having starred in "Spring Awakening" (Tony nomination) and "Hair" in Central Park.

Jonathan Groff as Claude in "Hair"

In other Groff news, he has been spotted with a new love interest: Gavin Creel. Strange because Creel took over Groff's role as Claude in "Hair" after he decided not to transfer to Broadway with the show, but to pursue his film and TV career instead (he recently starred in Ang Lee's "Taking Woodstock"). It seems that Groff has found a good way to stay connected to the Broadway show though! The two are keeping their relationship out of the public eye, and have used the time together to swap "I played Claude in "Hair" stories."

Gavin Creel as Claude in "Hair"

WEZ Sez: Jonathan Groff in "Glee" - Mixed Bag (***) - Love him / Hate the show

What do you think? Excited by the new addition to "Glee"? Like the show? Hate the show? Leave Comments below...

Spring Awakening does Green Day...

Berkeley Rep is currently premiering the new Green Day musical, "American Idiot". It is directed by Michael Mayer, who also directed "Spring Awakening" on Broadway. It features songs by Green Day and stars John Gallagher Jr. and is arguably the first rock opera to generate buzz since "The Who's Tommy" (counting "RENT" and "Spring Awakening" as contemporary musical theatre). The show features every song from the album "American Idiot" as well as a few tracks from their newest album "21st Century Breakdown". Time said this about the original album:

“A masterpiece…A significant part of American Idiot’s charm is that for an album that bemoans the state of the union, it is irresistibly buoyant. Listen closely, and you will hear a story about Jesus of Suburbia, his dangerous friend St. Jimmy and a heroic girl called Whatsername, who are struggling to express their individuality in a mass-media culture.”

The show follows this basic plot-line in opera form. Of course you can't really say basic about that plot. The few negative aspects of the reviews are about the hard-to-follow story line and lack of narrative (which many felt about "Spring Awakening" as well).

Regardless, how exciting that an edgy punk rock band like Green Day realized theatre is such an important art form! Musicals are constantly evolving with the times, but it takes courageous artists to make it happen...

The musical is currently running to good reviews and getting great audience feedback and a transfer to Broadway and the silver-screen have both been rumored. The show has already doubled it's run once, now playing until Nov. 15th. and after viewing the trailer below, it's not hard to see why. Hopefully it will be playing on a stage or screen near you soon...

WEZ SEZ: "American Idiot the Musical" - Can't Wait