Our 2025 ARTS by George! headliner is none other than this year’s Tony Award winner for Best Leading Actor in a Musical: Darren Criss. Whether you know Darren from his numerous roles on and off Broadway, his legendary performance on beloved TV show Glee, or from his underground days at StarKid Productions, you’ll definitely want to be in the audience for his concert on September 27.
Get to know more about Darren in these performance highlights.
- "Teenage Dream" from Glee: Pretty much every single viewer falls in love with Darren watching his iconic series debut on Glee. When the episode aired in 2010, its introduction of a possible gay high school romance storyline was a cultural touchstone.
- "The Rainy Day We Met" from Maybe Happy Ending: Get a glimpse of Darren’s Tony Award-winning performance in this duet, along costar Helen J. Shen. This totally original new musical from South Korea follows its two stars—who are robots—on a chance encounter that sparks connection, adventure, and maybe even love.
- "Suddenly Seymour" from Little Shop of Horrors: Darren starred in the now long-running Off-Broadway production of this cult hit musical in 2024. While we don’t have official footage from the production, we think you’ll love this recent performance opposite Joy Woods at the 92nd Street Y.
- A Very Potter Musical: We dare you not to go down the rabbit hole of watching this entire original parody musical of everyone’s favorite teen wizard. Darren and fellow University of Michigan students A. J. Holmes, Matt Lang, Nick Lang and Brian Holden founded StarKid Productions, wrote, and starred in the show in 2009. It’s ridiculous, delightful, and surprisingly excellent.
- A Very Darren Crissmas: The holiday special that all Broadway lovers will revere! This duet with icon Adam Lambert will earn its spot in your own Christmas playlist.
- "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables: This folk rock style cover of the Broadway classic is just Darren and his guitar. A quiet but unforgettable performance.
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"Don’t Stop Believin’" at A Capitol Fourth: Witness Darren’s magnetic stage presence in this absolute barn burner.
Want more videos of Darren performing? Check out our YouTube playlist for more of his greatest hits. And get your tickets now for An Evening with Darren Criss at ARTS by George! on September 27.