Odds & Ends: Darren Criss Gets New Hedwig Material, Kelly Clarkson Gushes About Bernadette Peters & More

Here's a quick roundup of stories you may have missed today.

Darren Criss Will Get Fresh Material for Hedwig
No doubt Glee star Darren Criss will be a new breed of rock goddess when he dons the wig at the Belasco Theatre in Hedwig and the Angry Inch beginning April 29. Very new, in fact. In a recent interview, John Cameron Mitchell told Broadway.com that he wants “to rewrite some new stuff for him—just for him.” And as for Mitchell’s post-Broadway plans? Well, Mitchell expects the production to hit Europe, Asia and Australia, and if he can make it work, count him in. “Now that I’ve done it and opened it up again, I would never say never. But I might have to get my knee replaced first!”

Peter Gallagher Tapped for Fox's Weezer-Based Pilot
On the Twentieth Century star Peter Gallagher has been tapped to star in Fox’s comedy pilot Detour, reports Deadline. In the series, inspired by Weezer frontman Rivers Cuomo (played by Ben Aldridge), Gallagher will play Professor Zaring. Olivia Thirlby is also on board to play Gabrielle, his teaching assistant. Gallagher’s currently out of his Broadway gig due to a sinus infection, but is scheduled to return to the American Airlines Theatre beginning March 6.

Kelly Clarkson's Obsessed with Bernadette Peters
Kelly Clarkson can’t stop talking about Broadway. First, there was her Funny Girl fantasy, then a Chicago visit, now all this! In a recent interview with Vulture, the Grammy-winning American Idol victor gushed about the “epic” Bernadette Peters (don’t we all?) and teased an upcoming musical theater duet. “I got to do something with some artist that you would never probably expect me to sing with,” she said, “but I loved it because it was from a musical.” We need more information this instant! And hey, Justin Guarini’s done Broadway and will appear in Encores!’ Paint Your Wagon. From him to you, Miss Independent.

Kelli O'Hara & More Set for Polly Bergen Tribute
A host of Broadway favorites will celebrate the career of beloved stage and screen star Polly Bergen later this month. A Tribute to Polly Bergen will take place on March 26 at the American Airlines Theatre, and included in the star-studded lineup are Kelli O'Hara, Chris Colfer, Blythe Danner, Michael Feinstein, Judith Ivey, Phillis Newman, John Stamos, John Waters and more. Bergen, who won an Emmy for Playhouse 90, appeared on Broadway in productions including Love Letters, Cabaret and Follies (for which she received a Tony nomination). She died on September 20, 2014 at the age of 84.