Darren Criss to star in 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' on Broadway

NEW YORK, Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Darren Criss is slated to star in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway.

The 28-year-old actor will replace John Cameron Mitchell as the titular East German transgender singer at the Belasco Theatre come April. Criss announced the news in a video post Tuesday on Facebook, declaring, "I'm the new Berlin Wall, baby."

Criss will assume the role for a 12-week engagement starting April 29. Neil Patrick Harris kicked off the revival in March 2014, and was succeeded by Andrew Rannells, Michael C. Hall and Mitchell, who also co-created the original musical.

"I've got a grin plastered on my face that Darren is joining the brotherhood of Hedwigs," Mitchell said in a statement. "His stage presence is electrifying, his rock and roll credentials and comic timing impeccable and I'm trilled to be working with him to create a brand new Hedwig!"

"The first time I saw Darren I knew he was a game-changer -- he's that good," added composer and co-creator Stephen Trask. "Then, when we hung out it was like we were old friends. I'm excited to spend the next few months making the show and getting to know each other better."

Criss is best known for portraying Blaine Anderson on Fox series Glee, which is in the midst of a sixth and final season. The actor made his Broadway debut in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 2012, taking over J. Pierrepont Finch for Daniel Radcliffe.