How 'Glee' Reshaped Broadway: Alumni Dominate Stages and Win Tonys
Since its conclusion in 2015, the cast of 'Glee' has made significant strides in musical theater, with notable performances by Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele, and Darren Criss. In March, Groff departed from 'Just in Time,' leading to a brief takeover by Matthew Morrison. Criss wrapped up his role in 'Maybe Happy Ending' in May, while Michele's engagement in 'Chess' concluded in June, resulting in the show's closure. Meanwhile, Alex Newell and Kevin McHale participated in the Off Broadway revival of 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,' with McHale currently featured in 'The Rocky Horror Show.' Newell received a Tony in 2023, Groff in 2024, and Criss in 2025. The genre-blending nature of 'Glee' has shaped cultural views, inspiring creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan to consider a reboot.
Key facts
- 11 years have passed since the last episode of 'Glee' aired.
- Jonathan Groff left the Broadway show 'Just in Time' in March, and Matthew Morrison replaced him for about three weeks.
- Darren Criss finished his leading role in 'Maybe Happy Ending' in May.
- Lea Michele ended her monthslong run in a Broadway revival of 'Chess' in June, and the show closed when she left.
- Alex Newell and Kevin McHale joined the Off Broadway revival of 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' over the summer.
- Kevin McHale is currently playing Brad in 'The Rocky Horror Show.'
- Ali Stroker, a Tony winner and 'Glee' alum, is now in 'Spelling Bee.'
- A 'Glee' star has won a Tony for three consecutive years: Alex Newell in 2023 for 'Shucked,' Jonathan Groff in 2024 for 'Merrily We Roll Along,' and Darren Criss in 2025 for 'Maybe Happy Ending.'
- Series creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan have just finished the script for a potential reboot.
Entities
Artists
- Lea Michele
- Jonathan Groff
- Darren Criss
- Matthew Morrison
- Alex Newell
- Kevin McHale
- Ali Stroker
- Ryan Murphy
- Brad Falchuk
- Ian Brennan
- Stephen Sondheim
- Katy Perry
- Elisabeth Vincentelli
- Rachel Berry
- Blaine Anderson
Institutions
- Glee
- Fox
- Just in Time
- Maybe Happy Ending
- Chess
- The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- The Rocky Horror Show
- Shucked
- Merrily We Roll Along
- The New York Times
- Playbill
- Tony Awards
Locations
- New York
- United States
- Broadway
- Off Broadway