Darren Criss Celebrates First Tony Nomination and Bold Work

At the Tony Awards Meet the Nominees press day, Darren Criss—Emmy and Golden Globe winner and a seasoned Broadway star—spoke about the honor of receiving his first Tony nomination and the broader significance it holds for original works in the theater.

“It’s exciting,” Criss said. “The theater is a glorious collaboration of a lot of people.” Though deeply grateful, he was quick to shift the spotlight to his collaborators. “I’m only here because of a bunch of very smart, talented, capable people,” he added. “Getting any acknowledgment for this show is a reflection of their incredible work.”

A multi-hyphenate talent known for his breakout role as Blaine Anderson on Glee, Criss is also a Broadway veteran, having appeared in American Buffalo, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and most recently, Little Shop of Horrors off-Broadway.

Still, this nomination represents a new kind of milestone. “This is a real win not only for our show but for the idea of original, singular material being able to operate at a commercial level,” he said. “That’s a very encouraging thing, and I hope it signals something to producers and creators who might be hesitant about pursuing something that isn’t a revival or tied to existing IP.”

While acknowledging the value of reimagined classics, Criss made a compelling case for creative risk-taking. “It’s scary to do something original,” he admitted. “But for the people who hold the keys to what gets made, I hope this shows that original work can land with audiences.”