‘Glee Live! In Concert!’ to kick off North American tour in Vegas

By Mark Adams

Thursday, Feb. 10, 2011 | 1:45 p.m.

This has been the best week ever. Why? Because there were two — not one, but TWO — episodes of Glee this week! How could it not be the best week ever when you get a double dose of hilarious high school hijinks, heartening storylines and the antics of one Sue Sylvester? I actually had a reason to watch the Super Bowl this year — it was a pregame for the special Glee episode that followed. And I must say, the New Directions’ Chevrolet commercial was excellent.

As if that wasn’t good enough, the unthinkable happened. It was the cherry on top of an already Gleeked-out week: Glee Live! In Concert! announced they will be kicking off their North American Tour right here in Las Vegas. I’ll admit it: I literally gasped.

Let there be no mistake, this is no High School Musical tour with unknown understudies playing the parts of your preferred performers. Confirmed for Glee Live are New Directions crew members Rachel (Lea Michele), Finn (Cory Monteith), Mercedes (Amber Riley), Artie (Kevin McHale), Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz), Puck (Mark Salling), Quinn (Diana Agron), Santana (Naya Rivera), Brittany (Heather Morris), Mike (Harry Shum, Jr.), and Sam (Chord Overstreet). Oh, and if you thought this was a McKinley High-only event, don’t fret — Dalton Academy Warblers Kurt (Golden Globe-winner Chris Colfer) and Blaine (Darren Criss) are joining the party as well.

With all this talent, who will steal the show? Personally, I can’t wait to catch Morris and Shum in action! The dancing machines wowed America with their “Valerie” routine, I sure hope they bring something similar to the stage. And as for the vocals? If you saw their “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” duet, you’d be rooting for a number with Criss and Colfer, too.

Tickets go on sale February 19 for the May 21 premiere event at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Don’t waste any time snagging those tickets, though. Looking at a “SOLD OUT” notice for the concert event you’re just dyyyyyying to go to is like … well, that’s like an ice-cold Slushie right to the face.