If you recall the 2009 “Glee” pilot on Fox when William Schuester, a charming Spanish teacher, takes over the struggling McKinley High glee club, and the newly formed group — New Directions — sings Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” together for the first time, then you’re a Gleek — a die-hard fan of that groundbreaking show.
“Don’t Stop Believin’” sets the tone for the series, introducing its themes of belonging, ambition, and the transformative power of music.
Playing Mr. Schuester, actor Matthew Morrison delivered standout performances that showcased his Broadway and pop versatility, solidifying the not-so-secret crush many Gleeks had on him as he led that Glee Club for six seasons.
Outside of “Glee,” Morrison has captivated audiences in Broadway roles in “Hairspray,” “The Light in the Piazza,” and “South Pacific.” He is now touring with his own live show, “Rhythms & Revelations,” a blend of music, dance, and personal storytelling, which made a stop at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater in Peekskill on Feb. 28.
“Welcome to ‘Rhythms & Revelations’ — a car wash for your soul,” Morrison writes on his website. “I’m not just here to perform; I’m here to spark something within you.”
“I want you to leave with a sense of curiosity and wonder about your own life,” he continues. “Many concerts entertain, but I invite you to take a closer look inside — to see music and dance not just as art forms, but as reflections of our deepest selves. I’m stepping outside of all the characters I’ve played, shedding every mask, and diving into authenticity and vulnerability.”
While Morrison’s words may resonate with Gleeks, “Rhythms & Revelations” is aimed at all lovers of Broadway and live performance. And the Paramount Hudson Valley Theater has increasingly brought Broadway talent to Westchester audiences.
“We started by dipping our toe in with some Broadway showcases and found there was a real hunger for this kind of music,” said Abigail Adams, executive director of the Paramount. “There are a lot of people in this area who love Broadway, and that audience keeps growing.”
Adams noted that Tony Award winner Mandy Patinkin performed last October to a sold-out audience. Audra McDonald takes the stage April 18; and Darren Criss (Blaine Anderson on “Glee”), currently starring on Broadway in “Maybe Happy Ending,” performs May 30.
“Each of these performers is known for something different,” Adams said. “Matthew Morrison is celebrated for his musicality and dance, but what they all share is that they’re true powerhouses and artists who’ve made a real impact.”
Andrew McGuire, host of the podcast “Gleek of the Week,” which reaches roughly 10,000 listeners per episode, has built a community around revisiting “Glee.” He notes that during the show’s pandemic-era resurgence, younger audiences discovered the series and began labeling Morrison — or Mr. Schuester — as “cringey,” turning the character into a running online joke that often blurred the line between fiction and reality.
McGuire created his podcast partly in response to that discourse. “‘Glee’ meant so much to me in high school,” he said. “I wanted a place where people could really deconstruct what made the show great.”
The podcast also acknowledges the tragedy intertwined with “Glee’s” legacy. Three of the show’s leads have died since 2013 –– a drug overdose, a drowning accident, and a suicide.
“So much tragedy — it’s awful,” McGuire said. “But I was looking for a place where people could still find the light in all of that.”
Nearly two decades after its debut, “Glee” continues to resonate because of its music. “It was lightning in a bottle,” McGuire said. “The music really brought people together.”
