First look: Darren Criss as J. Pierrepont Finch in ‘How To Succeed’

By Andrew Sims (@Sims) at 12:00 pm, November 22, 2011

Via an e-mail from Ticketmaster, a first look at Glee star Darren Criss as J. Pierrepont Finch in How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying is here!

The poster also seems to confirm that Beau Bridges will replace John Laroquette as J.B. Biggley. Criss will have the lead role from January 3rd – 22nd. More can be learned on the official site!

Thanks to Heidi for the tip!

View the latest articles in: Glee

Kellyann

*Swoon* He looks amazing!! Of course his bowtie would be purple :)
Didn’t know Beau Bridges could sing…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=629219074 Caitlin Mutch

They’ve slicked his hair back! Why can’t his ‘fro be appreciated?! D:
- Kate
  
  It’s sad the ‘fro cannot be more appreciated..but doesn’t the musical take place in the 1950s or something? I don’t think ‘fros were very much accepted then…
  
  We did get a little ‘fro action in the last ep of Glee, at least.
  - Anonymous
    
    ’60′s, actually. But yes, a slicked back hair do would be the hair do of choice. (which, I actually prefer)
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=629219074 Caitlin Mutch
      
      I do agree he shouldnt have his crazy hair, but still.. it seems hes constantly wearing gelled back hair atm :(
- 1919a6
  
  The ‘fro won’t be appreciated till sometime in the 1970s, I believe, as per the setting of the musical.
Emma

So has he met Dan Rad yet???
- Anonymous
  
  I’ve not seen a vid of his ear bleeding, so probably not…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=20902563 Kristen Kranz

Man! I so wish I could see this!! He looks awesome!
Macy

He looks awesome!!
http://twitter.com/brihannah Bri

this doesn’t do him justice
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1381504748 Hibaq Farah

URGH I HATE HIM. Get your own career Criss and stop ridding the coattail of DanRad. I love AVPM but since he got on glee (and ruin it) he’s been so annoying.
- 1919a6
  
  It certainly is reminiscent of “All About Eve”……..
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1381504748 Hibaq Farah
    
    I know right?
- Lily
  
  Oh please, does Harry Potter belong to Daniel now? That’s news to me.
  And talk about Darren ruining Glee…
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1381504748 Hibaq Farah
    
    He did the moment he came on and you fangirls went off the fan. Ryan murphy started to try to please you that’s why Blaine is a jr. He takes all the time away from the better and more talented actors on the show. He’s character is beyond annoying!! HP doesnt belong to Daniel but it’s his tool.
    - Brittany
      
      Not exactly sure what you’re talking about… He gets A LOT less songs then most, and if you’re going to tell me Cory is a better singer than Darren, I personally think you are mistaken. He compliments Chris and Lea very well and that’s why he sings duets with them. Not because Ryan Murphy is trying to please us. There were Glee fans LONG before Darren got there.
- Fatima
  
  Ugh, I know! Remember that time when Daniel Radcliffe played Kurt’s love interest on Glee? Or when he co-starred in a movie with Kristen Wiig? I mean, it’s not like the directors of H2$ SOUGHT HIM OUT FOR THE ROLE or anything. Or that when he did AVPM it was just him goofing off with his friends and not worrying about becoming a viral youtube sensation.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1381504748 Hibaq Farah
    
    Darren is a bad actor and an average singer. He’s nothing that deserves crazy fangirls.
    - http://twitter.com/slythindork Aroosa
      
      That’s your opinion, so whatever. You don’t have to go around putting others down.
      
      (Oh, and remember when Darren majored and got a degree in acting at U of M?)
      - Sarah
        
        I totally agree with Aroosa. It’s not very tasteful to go posting an extremly blunt opinion like you did on a fan website!
    - Brittany
      
      Why pray-tell would he BE on the show if he was “average” and a “bad actor” it’s not like they sought him out and said “HEY! You’re that guy that maybe 1/16 of the Glee audience knows about! Lets exploit that, because it makes a ton of sense!” No. He auditioned, he made it. Based on his own talents, which he most definitely has.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000650611399 Stacy Hogan Nguyen
      
      Who are you to say he is a bad actor? Or an average singer.
      Please do give us an example?
      - JohnMark
        
        Seriously? You want an example. Look on YouTube for Darren Criss performing Teenage Dream at Trevor Project 2010 or Hey Soul Sister at Trevor Project 2011. Or his performance of Animal on Billboard. Or anytime he sings live. It’s bad bad bad.
        
        His acting is bad. You can tell he’s acting. That’s how you know it’s bad…
      - Brittany Hudson
        
        Excuse me? Please look up “Darren Criss Trevor Project HQ” and tell me he isn’t a good singer? People have off nights, it happens. But you cannot tell me he consistently sings horribly live. Because it’s just NOT true.
        I admit he sang “Not Alone” better than “Teenage Dream” though.If his acting was bad clearly he wouldn’t have a job. He may be over the top sometimes but that’s because he does theatre, and theatre acting IS over the top. Hence this is perfect for him.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1559243384 Peyton Laughlin
  
  Ok, first; You are stupid. Second; Darren is a great actor. I’m sorry if you like DanRad more, but it’s time to get over yourself. Third; Darren made a name for HIMSELF. It had nothing to do with DanRad. He got into the musical department at UM. He and his friends put together AVPM and AVPS and Darren wrote all the music. That’s pure talent. Then he auditioned for Glee and made it BEFORE he had a huge fan base so it was all because of talent. There’s no reason why they SHOULDN’T want him to take DanRad’s spots. Fourth; Shut your mouth. Don’t judge before he has even had his opening night. Haters gon’ hate.
  - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000650611399 Stacy Hogan Nguyen
    
    OWNED PARASITE! AKA Hiboq Farah!
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000650611399 Stacy Hogan Nguyen
  
  How has he been annoying? If you dont like Blaine that’s fine but you’re stupid if that makes you think badly of Darren. Oh, or are you one of those people who like loves a band and then when they get mainstream, you think they arn’t cool anymore? Probably. What if Starkid made a movie and it got big? Would they not be the same goofy lovable people they always have been? We all should be happy for Darren that he is living his dream!
  If you knew anything you would no that Darren is the same guy he was when he was in AVPM.
  “I’m just as goofy and crazy as I was before if not more insane.And if I ever do stray away feel free to find me and kick me in the shins.” – Darren FRICKING Criss!
- Sarah
  
  You are not a true Starkid fan AT ALL.
Elyzabeth Mattos

OMG I’m so proud of him! He’s finally in Broadway <3 I love Darren, Wish him the best :)
Anonymous

My heart just hurt when I looked at this photo. I’d like to think it’s related (though it’s probably chest pains). He looks amazing!
Maria

No big deal just sat in my bed crying for about 10 minutes
Anonymous

I dunno. I LOVE Darren but this is weird. I think its cause for me Dan is How to Succeed. Just need to get used to it and i’m sure he will be fabulous!

Wish i could have seen Dan in it, and i probably won’t be able to see Darren either. :(

I wish him the best of luck!
Rose

You know how Darren and Daniel ruin your life? Yeah.
http://twitter.com/outofthemoon Jamie Light

UGLY CREYING
Louise

Very proud right now :)
Daisy Rye

*sniff sniff* Well StarKids, our baby is all grown up now :’)
- Moonshoes Potter
  
  I know! I still get proud Mama Umbridge feelings when i see this stuff. He has made it.
http://twitter.com/StarKidBug Smasher Pigmee P.

from a single spot light on a college stage to broadway. Darren is truly amazing.
Ariel

aww starkids darren is all grown up now! but he will always be potter to me!
Nixx

So, SO proud of our boy.

Starkids, can you even believe this? Aaahhh!!
lo

the purple bow-tie though, love it! :D ugh i really wish i could go :( ahh bb you’ve made it to Broadway :’)
http://www.facebook.com/AmbAmey Amber Amey

Aw, he looks so cute. Not nearly as adorkable as Dan looked. I’m really looking forward to seeing him on stage. It’ll be odd a little odd though at first, hearing him and not Dan. (But that’s usually the case for musicals, when you’re used to one voice to hear another). But, still, I’m excited.
http://twitter.com/tarthurs09 Tylor Arthurs

I’m really super sad that I can’t make it to New York in January and I never got to see Dan Rad :(
Liz Lemon

He doesn’t have the same energy as DanRad.
- Jade
  
  Are we talking about the same person? Did you see both shows to judge?
  - Brittany
    
    Did you?
- http://twitter.com/when_she_smiles lindsay
  
  He has a different kind of energry. But he definitely has energy.
- Hannah
  
  what even, i hate how there are so many people judging BEFORE he has even been in the show, it’s hardly fair.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1559243384 Peyton Laughlin
  
  You’re right, he doesn’t. Darren’s is turned 10 notches up compared to DanRad, and for that reason he will be even better.
http://twitter.com/M1SS0BVIOUS Hedda Andersson

Aawwwhhh I feel like a proud mama, Sarkids.. You know the feeling!
Anonymous

Good luck to Darren. I saw Daniel perform, hopefully Darren can pull off the same ‘quirky’-ness (?) I think Amber Amey said it best: adorkable. How true.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1229430522 Kiara Rubin

im so happy for him. I REALLY WANT TO SEE HIM ON BROADWAY!!!!
Becky_rankin

oh my wizard god he looks beautiful
Giavanna

I think the curls are doomed to a life time of gel helmet :(
He looks SO cute. I’ll bet he’ll rock
Nim

*ugly crying and general incoherency*
Uguuhhhhhfhnsagsdfgdfdgfsg-

So very proud, though. I loved this musical with Daniel Radcliffe and can’t wait to see him in the same role. I think he’ll be amazing.
Cora

Just won’t be the same without Dan or John Laroquette…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1745581155 Kallah Jean Turner

Does his head look weird to anyone else in this picture?
Anyway, I really really really hope that I can go see him perform! I just love Darren and think that he could do no wrong. He’s just so wonderful =] <333333333
Alexis

So excited to see him!! Dan was brillant but Darren will be totally awesome :) Oh, and like the purple bowtie :).
Jessennis

Proud mama.
Luna

My heart just stopped, :D
A Very Potter Fan

Supermegafoxyawesomehot and beyond. My heart hurts looking at him….a heart attack, surely!
ray

Stunt casting sucks. Easiest way to ruin a show.
Tomas

NOOOOOOOOooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Daniel CANNOT BE REPLACED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- DK
  
  Daniel isn’t being replaced… Daniel is leaving, by choice. His contact is up, he has done his time, and he is moving on. BY CHOICE. And the show is going on. So obviously they needed a new lead. That’s how the business works. Or at least it was the last time I checked…
  
  Daniel Radcliffe is awesome and I think Darren will do okay. He is a stage actor. It’s what he studied, it’s what he became known for. Broadway has had a lot worse…
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=722496967 Ana Selene Rodriguez Garcia

That is so cool. I’m so happy for him.
Caroline Taylor078

I’m glad he doesn’t have his fro, I think its awful! He looks just like Blaine here, theres even a bowtie, Darren must be sick of the sight of them!
http://twitter.com/mariaggonzalez Maria Gonzalez

Heeeey, that’s Blaine’s hairdo!
- Becky
  
  Blaine’s hair and bowtie, but Darren’s smoulder eyes and mischievious sexy smirk… oh, what a combo!
CMR

No offence, not a patch on Dan in the look of the character. We’ll have to wait for the actual acting and musical theatre…
hpfan127

First Daniel Radcliffe and THEN Darren Criss? These Harry Potter munchkins are taking over the WORLD. :)
Blake

see, here’s the difference: Dan Just looked adorable. Darren looks like he’s trying to have sex with me. AND I’M TOTALLY FINE WITH THAT.
Ericab2015

I think I just died from too much sexiness!XD
HermioneCriss

AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! SO EXCITED! His gorgeous eyes are melting my heart… *fangirl moment*
Anon8

Beautiful! I’m going and am excited beyond words! This poster gets me psyched! His eyes are a hazel, that vary from brown to green, and I think it’s interesting they touched it up to make them look so green.
Kavitha

Woo Daniel Radcliffe to Darren Criss. Awesomeness all around. :D
Luna

Ok I’ve already posted but I literally cant stop coming back to this picture! anyone else like that?
Dana

this is SO ironic! dan plays harry potter, darren plays harry potter, dan plays this guy, darren plays this guy! WOW!!!!! :) now if only he could do a threequel…….
http://twitter.com/marypao Mary

Is it wrong to wish that they had given him a pink tie?
Sarah

Omg yes I am soooooo proud of Darren right now. The amount he has grown in 2-3 is INCREDIBLE!!! I can’t wait to see this show with him in as he once again replaces Dan.
Anonymous

How this guy always looks this good is just beyond me.
Katylynnholmes

hot dayum… PROUD MAMAS UNITE!
Pingback: First Look: Darren Criss in How to Succeed in Business «
Jannie

WHY DOES THIS MAKE ME AND SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE WANNA CRY? PLEASE. EXPLAIN.
http://twitter.com/taylie27 taylore thompson

This is so perfect because I’m going to be seeing this show tomorrow! Definitely doing stage door!

And Darren doesn’t look any different probably because this is how he dresses on Glee as well :)
LaurenFF

My family and I saw Dan in this show 2 days ago, and today my sister and I bought tickets to go back and see Darren! So excited!!!
Hannah

brb eternally crying.
http://twitter.com/pikakeflor Jasmine

This is so weird, but so cool at the same time! I saw it with Dan and I wish I could see it again with Darren in it. It would be great as well.
http://twitter.com/Annanass777 Anna Di

I looked at the picture and my first thought was: “Hey, there’s Harry!”
And that although I spend the last week reading the Dalton fic and being completly stuck in Glee-verse

I wasn’t even thinking about AVPM but Darren looks so much more like I imagine Harry in the books….he even has those beautiful almond-shaped green eyes
http://twitter.com/fcathopeck Faith Hopeck

How does one acquire genes that great?
Pingback: Diamo un’occhiata a Darren Criss nel musical “How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying”! | Glee Italia
anonm

It’s not going to be the same without Larroquette.
Julia Christina

I saw Dan Radcliffe and I’m going back to see Darren! I’m so excited, it’s gonna be totally awesome!
HPfanatic

Look how far he’s come! *sniffle* *sniffle*
(and love the fact that dan played harry and is in a musical and Darren played Harry in a musical! I wonder if dans seen it? I know Tom, Rupert, and Evena have…
Anonymous

“Pierrepont?” Seriously? One hopes you’re never asked a friend to meet your cruise ship at the pierre. Effing retarded. Just effing retarded.
Ridemax18

HE’S ON FUCKING BROADWAY, GUYS! I’m so proud. TUMBLR SPAM. Just hope everyone appriciates his amazingness! Totally agree with the FRO being unleashed :D

Simone :)
Hermione

I hope he still has time to do a AVPM 3….. Between this and Glee it looks unpromising…. Oh well, I wish him luck!
kstutz

I just got my tickets to see his second performance! Wednesday January 4th at 2:00 pm! I’m so excited!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000650611399 Stacy Hogan Nguyen

Ahh Darren… Stealin Dan Rad’s life one step at a time

Hypable encourages the community to use our Comments feature to hold thoughtful, polite, and critical discussions. We do NOT tolerate inappropriate, rude, or downright mean discussion towards the news story's subject matter or towards other Hypable users. We reserve the right to delete or ban comments and users who violate these guidelines.

First look: Darren Criss as J. Pierrepont Finch in ‘How To Succeed’

More in Glee, StarKid (994 of 1493 articles)