Neil Patrick Harris has gushed over the talents of Darren Criss, labeling him “part robot.”
During an interview with Us Weekly at the pre-opening night of Maybe Happy Ending on Monday, November 11, in New York City, Harris, 51, praised Criss, 37, and compared him to a robot — just like Criss’ character in the musical production, which officially raised its curtains the following night.
“He’s always talented. It’s impossible to see an off night. So I think it’s great. He’s part robot himself, so this will be interesting to see,” Harris told Us on the Belasco Theatre’s red carpet.
Harris added, “Darren Criss is like a thoroughbred … he’s always representing himself well.”
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The pair’s careers have run alongside one another’s for many years. Harris starred as Hedwig in the Broadway show Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which won him a Tony Award in 2014 for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, before Criss took the lead role over from him in 2015.
The pair also appeared on Glee but not at the same time, with Harris featuring in an episode during season 1 and Criss portraying teen heartthrob Blaine Anderson, a member of The Dalton Academy Warblers for five seasons after he was introduced in the show’s second season.
David Burtka, Harris’ husband and an actor himself, also attended the opening night of Maybe Happy Ending, there to show his own support for Criss who serves as a fellow University of Michigan alumni.
Burtka, 49, was also excited to celebrate Michael Arden, the Tony-winning director of Maybe Happy Ending and a “really good friend” to Burtka and Harris. “[Darren and I] went to the same college, so I’m supporting him that way,” Burtka told Us, to which Harris chimed in with, “Go Blue!”
Burtka also touched on his return to cabaret after a 12-year hiatus, starring in Burtka, David, a show at 54 Below, which premieres on November 20. Harris is directing the production while currently starring in the off-Broadway production of S—. Meet. Fan. at the MCC Theatre.
Candidly reflecting on life now that he is proudly eight years sober, Burtka told Us that Burtka, David touches on several conquered challenges over the years. “It deals in some things that I wasn’t brave enough to talk about years ago, so it’s a little personal, but it’s also very funny and our kids are in it,” Burtka explained.
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Harris also told Us what it was like to direct his husband of 10 years and their children. (Harris and Burtka share twins, Harper Grace and Gideon Scott, 14.) “I don’t know that there’s a bigger proponent of David than myself,” Harris said. “I’ve known him to be an incredible human, father, partner, person, but I think singularly I am witness to how selfless he is in foregoing his own creative endeavors for the betterment of the family.”
Harris continued, “Any opportunities where he’s able to shine artistically, I’m going to support.”
As for Criss, the actor has proven a formidable force on almost every stage. He earned an Emmy and Golden Globe Award for his performance as Andrew Cunanan in Ryan Murphy’s 2018 series The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Additional theater credits include How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, American Buffalo and Little Shop of Horrors.
Now running, Maybe Happy Ending is an original South Korean musical comedy, featuring music composed by Will Aronson and lyrics written by Hue Park.
