In 2010, Darren Criss was cast in Glee for what was initially intended to be a supporting role. However, after winning over fans with his covers on the show, he secured a spot in the main cast and became a firm fan favorite. Now, ten years after the show’s end, Darren has come back with another cover that has taken the internet by storm. For our Music Man fans who might be wondering whether he’s still got that same magic touch, the answer is an overwhelming “yes.”
Collaborating with the band Third Reprise, Darren sang lead vocals on a cover of ‘I’m Not That Girl’ from Wicked. Despite returning to his musical theatre roots, with his performance background in Starkid Productions, he transformed the song by turning it into an ’80s pop-rock number. Fans adored the surprise rendition and the unexpected twist on its sound, one commenting, “Glee may be over, but Darren can still come out of nowhere and just body a cover.”
Something that stood out to me about the cover, beyond Darren’s powerful vocals, was how much he threw himself into the performance of the song. Although the cover was recorded in a small room with just the band accompanying him, it is clear that he couldn’t help but draw on the acting chops that have won him Emmys, Tonys, and Golden Globes. Committing entirely to the story behind the song, he gave a performance that captured the song’s emotions both vocally and physically.
This isn’t the first Wicked cover Darren has teamed up with the members of Third Reprise to record. Joined by his co-star Helen J Shen, with whom he has been performing in the musical Maybe Happy Ending, the pair joined Third Reprise to record a soul rendition of a song from the musical called ‘When You’re In Love.’ The song was given a makeover that allowed the singers to explore it anew, and any Music Man fan who listens is sure to wish they’d booked tickets to see them perform it live.
If one thing has been clear since the start of Darren Criss’ career, it’s his passion and talent for all kinds of music. This cover captures that spirit that made him so very popular with fans during his time on Glee, and beyond. While he has now carved out his own career in original music, it is undeniable that Darren has always known how to make a cover his own. After this latest release, fans can only hope that he doesn’t give up his habit of bringing his own signature touch to iconic songs and making them sound entirely his own.