‘Étoile’ Gives Gideon Glick And Jonathan Groff A ‘Spring Awakening’ Reunion In Hilarious Scene

Fans of Amy Sherman-Palladino's work know that she can pull off pretty much anything she sets her mind to on-screen — including a Spring Awakening reunion.

Tony Award winner Jonathan Groff is on the long list of exciting guest stars who appear in Sherman-Palladino and her husband Dan Palladino's new Prime Video series, Étoile . And to make Groff's guest role extra special, the Palladinos paired him with his Spring Awakening co-star Gideon Glick in a move sure to delight fans of the beloved musical.

"With Jonathan, I've known Groff forever. But we've never really gotten to actually act together. Because in Spring Awakening , we weren't didn't truly have scenes — we were just in like group scenes together," Glick, who also writes for the series, told Decider over Zoom.

"I think at the end [of Étoile ] we felt like we were finally intimate together in a way. That we understood what it was like to maybe date each other. It was odd. It was odd," Glick explained as he and co-star Luke Kirby shared a giggle. "The power of acting!" Kirby added.

Glick and Groff were original Broadway cast members for Spring Awakening , which ran from December 2006 until January 2009, so the two have been longtime pals. (I mean, look at this GAP ad !) In 2019, Glick took over for Groff as Seymour in the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors . And the actors reunited for the Spring Awakening: Those You've Known documentary and concert in 2022.

In Étoile Episode 7, "The Slip," written and directed by Daniel Palladino, Glick's quirky, high-strung character Tobias Bell takes a break from choreographing ballet in Paris and flies to meet Groff's character, Kevin, for coffee. Though the exchange lasts less than three minutes and is completely unnecessary in the grand scheme of the dance series, Sherman-Palladino knows what the people want. And we thank her for it.

After a lengthy, palpably anxious rant about his love of tortillas, Tobias cuts to the chase and reveals why he asked Kevin to meet. "Ah, this is so hard. That's why I channeled in from Paris. I wanted to do it in person. We need to break it off!"

Right now you're likely thinking, "OH! Despite Tobias giving single vibes and having some serious vibes with Gabin (Ivan du Pontavice), Tobias and Kevin have been in a relationship this whole time. Got it!" And because this is Palladino show, you'd be wrong.

A deeply confused Kevin asks, "I'm sorry. Break what off?" before reminding Tobias that they haven't spoken in a year. Naturally, Tobias "Married To His Work" Bell is baffled by the claim. In fact, he decides Kevin's truth is impossible! As the two sit outside wearing gorgeous fits and having good hair in front of a comically large Marmite ad that reads, "HATE IT," Kevin reveals he's engaged to someone else! And their wedding is next June!

Predictably, Tobias is livid . The audacity of Kevin to cheat on him while they were absolutely not together! The Palladino's quick, witty writing flies back and forth across the table as Glick and Groff's authentic chemistry makes you believe every word that leaves their characters' lips without question. Their comedic timing, tone shifts, and facial expressions are impeccable. And even if you ardently shipped Gabin and Tobias before learning who Kevin was mere minutes ago, part of you will long for a universe where Tobias never went out to buy Grape Nuts — sorry, Kashi Go — and the two never split. Just so you could see more of Glick and Groff's glorious on-screen connection.

After the two speed-recap Tobias calling Kevin's parents racist assholes! at his nephew's baptism! while they were holding the baby! Gideon makes a few Dune jokes, and they trade insults before tiring each other out. "I'm gonna look through my old calendars. It couldn't have been that long since we've spoken. Impossible," Tobias says with a softer voice. Kevin extends an olive branch in the form of a wedding invite, which he plans to email to Tobias' address with "all those random numbers." They KNOW each other, damn it! And just when we were getting to know them, Kevin kisses his ex's forehead and says, "You're a beautiful weirdo. Tobias, be well and be happy. Ish."

We're crushed. But just as Tobias and Kevin likely feel about each other (though, who knows with these two), we'd rather have loved and lost Glick and Groff's Étoile scene than never have experienced it at all. Here's hoping Season 2 can find a way to reunite the on-screen exes and IRL friends — if only for less than three minutes. Tobias and Gabin at Kevin's wedding, perhaps?!

Étoile Season 1 is now streaming on Prime Video.