
When watching the film Hairspray (the 2007 musical based on the 2002 Broadway musical that was based on the 1988 cult film by John Waters – still with me?) for the first time last night I understood a little better the fuss that many a young girl (and older girls….and well some men – you know who you are) have made over Zac Efron. I’m sure when that movie hit the theaters there was plenty of swooning and many thoughts that no one could possibly do better by the role of dreamy heartthrob Link Larkin. Well I’m here to tell you that that just isn’t so. Or in other words….hello Matthew Morrison!
For fans of Broadway Matthew (who has been known to respond to the nickname Matty Fresh) needs no introduction. He won his first small Broadway role in a production of Footloose at the age of 19 and then sub sequentially went on to originate the role of Link Larkin (dreamy heartthrob – see above) and of Fabrizio Naccarelli in The Light in the Piazza (for which he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award and a Tony).
That’s not to say that there hasn’t been any film or TV work yet. There have been guest starring roles here and there in “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”, “Ghost Whisperer”, “Numb3rs”. And sure some roles in movies like Dan in Real Life and Music and Lyrics. But what he really needs is a break out role. Something that is really going to get the attention of the masses and really make him a household name.
Which brings me to a little show that you may have heard of called “Glee”. And if you haven’t heard of it do yourself a favor and go straight to hulu.com to watch the already posted pilot and every single one of the clips they have posted. You will not regret it.
I fully expect “Glee” to be the big break that Matthew Morrison deserves. I recently read an article about his role in “Glee” and it started off by declaring that his on-set nickname is ‘Triple Threat’ and believe me he more than lives up to it. I may have only seen the pilot (well and every single clip that I can get my hands on, which thanks to Fox’s push for the show has been quite a lot actually) but I really cannot sing his praises enough.
I don’t know what the future will hold for Matthew now that they have finished filming the first order of “Glee” (more “Glee”, more “Glee”, more “Glee”!) but mark my words this man’s star is going to shine bright and high for many years to come.
Fansites:
Matthew Morrison dot Org
Official Sites:
Official Matt Morrison Website
Glee on FOX
Glee Facebook Page
Twitter Page
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