Recent speculation that Idina Menzel is headed for the hit Fox series Glee in the spring appears to be true—but according to EW.com, the Tony-winning singer will not be playing the birth mother of Lea Michele’s character, Rachel. Instead, new mom Menzel is in “advanced talks” to play the choir director of Vocal Adrenaline, the arch-rival group of Mr. Shue’s New Directions.
So, let’s make a tally of Broadway vets on Glee: Series regulars Matthew Morrison (South Pacific) and Lea Michele (Spring Awakening) have welcomed guest stars John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys) and Kristin Chenoweth (Wicked), with Michele’s Spring Awakening co-star Jonathan Groff on tap as a rival singer.
And now Idina, as Jonathan’s coach? It’s almost too much for Broadway musical fans to contemplate. If Glee can get former Wicked co-stars Menzel and Chenoweth to appear in the same episode, the planets will align in a way that may cause the Gershwin Theatre to spontaneously combust. But it’s definitely worth the risk.
-Broadway.com
Meet Will Schuester’s new rival.
Broadway star Idina Menzel is in negotiations to join Fox’s “Glee” as a recurring.
Menzel, who is expected to appear in all of the remaining nine episodes of the season, will play the coach to glee club Vocal Adrenaline, the McKinley High glee club’s main competition.
Menzel had said she is a big fan of “Glee” and its young star Lea Michele, also a Broadway pro.
Because of Menzel and Michele’s similar musical theater background and strong resemblance, fans had been lobbying for Menzel to appear on the show as Rachel Berry’s (Michele) biological mother.
They’ve got their wish … sort of.
Menzel won a Tony for her role on “Wicked.” Her co-star on the show, Kristin Chenoweth, guest starred on “Glee” earlier this season.
Menzel is the second Broadway name to recur on “Glee” this spring.
Jonathan Groff, who co-starred opposite Michele in the Broadway production of “Spring Awakening,” will be doing a five- to six-episode story arc, playing the lead male vocalist of Vocal Adrenaline and a potential love interest for Rachel Berry.
“Glee,” which chronicles the road of McKinley High’s glee club, a group of misfits led by Spanish teacher Schuester (Matthew Morrison) to the national championships, wraps its fall run Wednesday with the “Sectionals” episode.
Schuester’s biggest nemesis so far has been the coach of the school’s cheerleading squad Sue Sylvester, played by Jane Lynch.
– Hollywood Reporter
I’ll post more information if/when it becomes available, but nothing is confirmed yet.
