Darren Criss sings "Something's Coming" from WEST SIDE STORY on Glee!
Darren Criss sings "Something's Coming" from WEST SIDE STORY on Glee!
jacobsnchz14
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/13/06
#1Darren Criss sings "Something's Coming" from WEST SIDE STORY on Glee!
Posted: 9/23/11 at 9:24am
Today, BroadwayWorld is beyond thrilled to present the world premiere of the newest track from Fox’s hit musical dramedy series GLEE - Darren Criss, as Blaine, performing the classic Leonard Bernstein/Stephen Sondheim opening vocal number from WEST SIDE STORY, “Something’s Coming”! This year’s choice for McKinley High’s new musical production, WEST SIDE STORY is a classic American institution known not only for its original Broadway run but also for the memorable 1961 film version that won a boatload of Oscars, including Best Picture. The Shakespeare-based musical tragedy created by Broadway’s finest minds has more than its fair lion’s share of unforgettable songs, as well - among them, last season’s top fan-favorite, “I Feel Pretty”. With “Something’s Coming” Criss proves to be the ideal Tony, too. A match made in musical theatre heaven, here is GLEE meets WEST SIDE STORY!
Read more: https://www.broadwayworld.com/videoplay.php?colid=278756#ixzz1YmXT6Ilu
#3Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 10:54am
It's true. You can only have a maximum of two memorable songs per musical now. If you go over your lion's share, you have to pay a fine.
Checks are made payable to me.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
CurtainPullDowner
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/4/04
#4Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 11:17am
How many Oscars are a boatload?
I still think Criss is creepy.
#5Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 11:35am
Okay, I don't watch Glee, but I just listened to that clip. The guy has a terrible voice. He merely "holds pitch" and that's it (probably digitally enhanced). He has no phrasing. No vibrato. No richness in his tone. No excitement. No dynamics. He is not a singer, but he can "carry a tune." That's it. The basic, minimum requirement for a song.
It's like in the Music Man when Harold Hill says "singing is just sustained talking." That's what he's doing here.
Do people like this? or him?
I don't get the appeal at all, unless he's supposed to be playing a very average student with not much talent and no training at all. In that case, he's perfect for the part.
blocked: logan2, Diamonds3, Hamilton22
bwaylvsong
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/28/05
#6Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 11:46am^I feel the same way about him and most of the guys on Glee, and I'm a fan of the show.
#7Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 1:14pmGet a grip, if you think he has a terrible voice you need your ears testing.....and im not a fan of the show
#8Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 1:20pm
I wouldn't use Glee clips to judge any singer, either postively or negatively. I think the clip below gives a better feel for his abilities.
Criss
#9Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 1:23pmWords cannot begin to describe my hatred for this show.
TheatreJuls
Swing Joined: 9/23/11
#10Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 1:36pm
Darren is one of the few people on Glee I actually like. I think that people shouldn't judge his talent based on the Glee clips since they auto-tune everyone like crazy. I think he's a better singer/songwriter type personally but he seems to want to be acting. I would recommend checking out videos where he is performing with his musical theatre company like the one below:
Not Alone
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#11Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 1:38pm
Wow, I'm actually surprised by all the hatred for this show. I know it's totally out of touch with how high school kids really are and the plot seems almost randomly generated at times, with one melodramatic, completely unbelievable development inexplicably following another, but for whatever reason people seem to REALLY like it, no matter what it's flaws. It DOES serve as a "gateway" for a lot of people to explore Broadway.
So I think you all ought to stop hating on West Side Story.
#12Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 1:58pmI finally gave up on the show around the Rocky Horror episode. It's like watching the tigers chase each other around the tree without the benefit of getting any butter for your pancakes.
#13Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 2:20pmAlthough there are shows I dislike, I really can't imagine ever having bad feelings about a TV show that would even come close to the level of hatred. Especially in the case of a show that, for whatever serious flaws it may have, has (I'm quite sure) given many gay kids reassurance that they're not alone.
#14Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 2:37pmFor one thing, the tempo's are all messed up and makes the song sound absolutely terrible. How could that have been the final recording?
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#15Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 3:28pm
Wow, I'm actually surprised by all the hatred for this show. I know it's totally out of touch with how high school kids really are and the plot seems almost randomly generated at times, with one melodramatic, completely unbelievable development inexplicably following another, but for whatever reason people seem to REALLY like it, no matter what it's flaws.
I haven't watched since first season and I try to keep my snarking to a minimum at this point, but what I do find noteworthy is that in the past year and a half it seems like every time the show is mentioned, by a fan or a reviewer or whatever, they all acknowledge it's not very good. Whether it's like Joe mentioning that it makes no sense or other people complaining that it's just a vehicle for songs or guest stars, etc, it seems that no one has any idea WHY they even watch it anymore. I guess to some people, hearing songs they know and love ran through an autotuner is the draw? I dunno.
I don't know what to make of this, though:
It DOES serve as a "gateway" for a lot of people to explore Broadway.
Is that really true? "I loved Fox's nonsense and autotune and now I love Stephen Sondheim, too!"?
#16Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 3:36pm
Is that really true? "I loved Fox's nonsense and autotune and now I love Stephen Sondheim, too!"?
My thoughts exactly.
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#17Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 4:00pm
He's okay, but definitely not the vocal level that I expect from someone playing Tony. Also, his voice just doesn't carry any excitement IMO.
Any clips of Lea as Maria yet? I'm dying to hear her sing soprano, assuming they don't lower the part. Which they probably will, who am I kidding.
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#18Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 4:11pmI was speaking of the hatred for West Side Story actually. Isn't that show everyone was hating on?
SporkGoddess
Broadway Legend Joined: 7/27/05
#19Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 4:16pmJust listened to Idina and Lea's version of "Somewhere." Wow, I didn't know Frank Wildhorn wrote that song!
#20Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 4:36pm
I actually like this- I think Darren Criss probably has the strongest male voice on the show.
As far as the very vocal dislike of Glee overall, can I just say that I've been a fan since day 1, and while I thought Season 2 was wildly uneven, I also think the show itself is still good- and has done a lot of good for the arts. It's overdramatic for comedic effect, and I think it connects to people in a real way. Even though it's not a realistic portrayal of teenagers, the characters say and feel things that most of us have felt at some point, even if we don't admit it. I'm not saying it's the most amazing show ever, just that I think it gets a bad rep sometimes. Just my two cents.
snl89
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/4/05
#21Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 4:50pm
Honestly, I just love Darren's voice- it's extremely rare that I ever find it unpleasant to listen to, and I think he did well on this song :)
It's not the BEST he's ever sounded, but bearing in mind that they have a really quick turnover rate for songs on Glee (I don't think they get the songs very far in advance and then they have very limited time in the studio to get them down) and it doesn't seem like a particularly easy song vocally, I really don't think it's bad at all.
Again, though, it probably helps that his voice is just really yummy to my ears haha
Oh and yeah- I will say straight up, I love Glee :) Yes, the writing can be quite all over the place at times and yes, some of the songs don't come out well, but the show just makes me happy and I love the cast and I do think it gets more hate than it deserves.
Phyllis Rogers Stone
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/16/07
#22Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 4:55pm
Joe, you got me. I didn't even see your last line!
(But really, almost none of what you said actually applies to West Side Story :) )
Updated On: 9/23/11 at 04:55 PM
Unknown User
Joined: 12/31/69
#23Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 5:06pm
Unrealistic teenagers? Melodramatic action that seems entirely random? People inexplicably love it and it is a "gateway drug" gto Broadway fandom? Oh Phyllis, I beg to differ!
PS Doll- looking at your Gorgeous blond self is inspiring a "Pizza and Hedwig" fest tonight! Wish you could be here!
Gaveston2
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/28/11
#24Darren Criss sings
Posted: 9/23/11 at 5:13pm
Per the vocal coach, speaking on THE GLEE PROJECT, they often get just a couple of hours to learn a song and lay down the vocal track. I have no idea why; it seems to me the cast is big enough that everyone should have some free time to learn their songs.
I agree that Darren Criss sounds better singing Katy Perry than WEST SIDE STORY. But for those who complain that GLEE is not a realistic representation of the arts in high school, well, here's a "Tony" who sounds like he might be just a modestly talented boy in an average school, not a genuine, professional prospect.
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