Jackson, according to Entertainment Weekly, will appear on the third episode of the series.
As previously announced, "Glee," the new series about a high school glee club, starring Matthew Morrison as an eager teacher, and featuring Kristin Chenoweth, Victor Garber, Deb Monk, Lea Michele and more, has landed a prime showcase spot after the May 19 episode of "Americal Idol." The new series from Ryan Murphy, creator of "Nip/Tuck," will get one sneak preview episode 9 PM May 19, prior to beginning its regular 13-episode run in the fall.
"'Glee' works on so many levels that we want to utilize 'American Idol' to jump-start positive buzz, which will spread over the summer and into the show’s launch in the fall," said Kevin Reilly, president, entertainment, Fox Broadcasting Company.
"An ambitious and unique show such as 'Glee' deserves an ambitious and unique kickoff," stated Fox chairman Peter Liguori. "We also wanted to take advantage of the huge 'American Idol' promotional platform to launch the marketing campaign in May."
Chenoweth, Garber and Monk are all Tony Award winners; The Light in the Piazza's Morrison was nominated. He also starred in South Pacific and Hairspray. Michele, who plays a high school student in the series, starred as Wendla in Spring Awakening on Broadway. Entertainment Weekly previously reported that Chenoweth, Garber and Monk will have recurring roles on the new series: Garber and Monk will play Morrison's parents; Chenoweth's role has yet to be announced.
According to FOX notes, "'Glee' is an uplifting series with biting humor that features a soundtrack of hit music from past to present. The show follows an optimistic high school teacher, Will Schuester (Matthew Morrison), as he tries to refuel his own passion while reinventing the high school's glee club and challenging a group of outcasts to realize their star potential. It's not an easy task when the pitch-imperfect club includes Mercedes (Amber Riley), a forceful diva-in-training; Arty (Kevin McHale), a geeky guitarist; Kurt (Chris Colfer), a dramatic soprano; Tina (Jenna Ushkowitz), a punk rocker; and self-proclaimed 'star' Rachel (Lea Michele), a perfectionist firecracker.
"McKinley's cruel high school caste system prevents the glee club from flourishing, so Will recruits Finn (Cory Monteith), the quarterback with movie star looks, to join the group even though he wants to protect his reputation with his holier-than-thou girlfriend, Quinn (Dianna Agron), and his arrogant teammate, Puck (Mark Salling). With harsh criticism from everyone, including Will's tough-as-nails wife Terri (Jessalyn Gilsig) and McKinley's egotistical cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch), he is determined to prove them all wrong and lead the glee club to the greatest competition of them all: Nationals."
As previously announced, Tony Award winner John Lloyd Young (Jersey Boys) will also make a guest appearance on the new series.
Cheyenne Jackson, who was seen in the film "United 93," has appeared on Broadway in Xanadu, All Shook Up, Aida and Thoroughly Modern Millie. He starred in the premiere cast of Altar Boyz, and his regional credits include West Side Story, The Most Happy Fella, Children of Eden, Hair, Carousel, Damn Yankees and Kismet. Jackson is a member of the Broadway Inspirational Voices and was seen Off-Broadway in The Agony and the Agony and at City Center in Damn Yankees.
