Wearing a maize-and-blue T-shirt during a recent rehearsal for his role in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying,” U-M grad Darren Criss held an interview with New York Times reporter Patrick Healy for a feature article,“‘Glee’ Star Gets His Broadway Turn,” published Jan. 2.

In the article, Criss is characterized as a “triple talent,” a performer who can act, sing and dance. That assessment along with the overwhelmingly positive reviews for his performance on the television hit, “Glee,” is galvanizing critical and popular attention for the 24-year-old who was probably best known until last year for his part in the YouTube phenom, “A Very Potter Musical,” a parody of Harry Potter books and movies produced with several college friends.

The Huffington Post, citing the Times story, called Criss “our generation’s Gene Kelly,” and quotes the U-M grad: “I always shoot for the moon…so that I’m happy when I land on the roof.”

PHOTO RIGHT: Criss in a production of “Pride & Prejudice” during his college days at the University of Michigan.