In a heartwarming display of enduring camaraderie, former Glee star Matthew Morrison recently enjoyed a mini-reunion with his ex-castmates Kevin McHale and Jonathan Groff. The nostalgic gathering took place backstage at the Circle in the Square Theatre in Midtown Manhattan last Tuesday, where Morrison is currently starring in the Broadway musical Just in Time.
A Trio of Talented Alumni
The reunion brought together three significant figures from the iconic Fox television series that captivated audiences between 2009 and 2015. Morrison and McHale featured prominently throughout all six seasons, portraying New Directions leader Will Schuester and disabled student Artie Abrams respectively. Meanwhile, Groff made memorable appearances as the recurring antagonist Jesse St. James from rival group Vocal Adrenaline.
Both McHale and Groff attended to support their former colleague in his current theatrical venture. Morrison is playing the legendary crooner Bobby Darin in Just in Time, with performances scheduled through March 29. The production has earned the actor recognition as a Tony-winning triple threat, showcasing his versatile talents in singing, dancing, and acting.
Current Projects and Collaborations
The 37-year-old McHale arrived at the show accompanied by Leana Rae Concepcion, his current co-star in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. This off-Broadway revival continues its run through April 12 at New World Stages, with McHale portraying the character William Barfée. Interestingly, Concepcion also previously worked with 40-year-old Groff on Merrily We Roll Along, creating an additional connection between the gathering's participants.
Beyond this particular reunion, numerous Glee alumni remain active in the theatrical world. Most notably, Lea Michele is currently starring as Florence Vassy in the musical revival Chess at the Imperial Theatre, with performances extending through June 14. The continued presence of former cast members on Broadway stages demonstrates the remarkable talent cultivated by the groundbreaking series.
The Glee Legacy and Its Complexities
The original teen jukebox musical television series, created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, featured an extensive ensemble cast that included Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz, Dianna Agron, Heather Morris, Harry Shum Jr., Darren Criss, Jayma Mays, Chord Overstreet, and Melissa Benoist among many others.
Reflecting on the cast's ongoing success, Morrison expressed his enthusiasm to People magazine last November, stating: "It's wild. I mean, Jonathan's here with me tonight, and I talked to Darren, and I'm so excited for Kevin. Glee has the most incredible cast of insanely talented people, so it makes sense that we would all be here."
However, the Glee legacy carries somber undertones alongside its celebratory moments. The series has been labelled by some as 'cursed' following the premature deaths of three cast members. Cory Monteith tragically passed away in 2013 at age 31 from an accidental drug overdose involving heroin and alcohol. Mark Salling died by suicide in 2018 at age 35, shortly before beginning a prison sentence for possession of child pornography. Naya Rivera accidentally drowned in 2020 at age 33 during a boating incident on Lake Piru, leaving behind her young son.
Morrison's Current Endeavours
Beyond his Broadway commitments, Morrison has attracted attention for his unconventional solo performances. On January 18, an Instagram user shared a peculiar clip from his 54 Below cabaret show featuring the 47-year-old Emmy nominee performing slam poetry while striking unusual poses. The video, captioned "Nurse he's out again," showed Morrison dramatically perching a microphone on his ankle while delivering poetic lines about truth and unexpected turns in life's dance.
Looking ahead, Morrison has scheduled a 27-date tour titled Matthew Morrison Presents, with an upcoming performance at City Winery in Nashville, Tennessee this Friday. He will also appear in Sam McConnell's forthcoming film Test, portraying Pastor Gregg in a story about a small-town Ohio bodybuilder.
On the personal front, the California native maintains an 11-year marriage to Renee Puente, community architect for HIRO Diapers, with whom he shares two children: eight-year-old son Revel and four-year-old daughter Phoenix. Prior to this relationship, Morrison was engaged to Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause in 2006.
The continued professional achievements and personal connections among Glee alumni highlight the lasting impact of the groundbreaking series, even as its cast members pursue diverse creative paths across theatre, television, and film.
