First a TV show, then albums, now it's 3D concert movie. Des Sampson reports on Glee's latest excursion
Not content with conquering the charts and dominating television ratings, Glee is going global with a world tour and accompanying concert film, Glee Live!, in 3D. It's Gleek heaven ...
If Harry Potter is the foremost film franchise in history, then Glee - the tale of the high school glee club, "New Directions" - is surely its small-screen counterpart.
It's been a critical and commercial coup, becoming the biggest television sensation in a generation, earning 19 Emmy Award nominations in its first season, a further dozen this year and also winning the prized Golden Globe for best television musical or comedy in both 2010 and 2011. Glee's music has been an even bigger hit, with sales of more than nine million albums and 21 million singles, making it one of the most prolific - and profitable - TV franchises ever.
"The whole thing is crazy. There are always fans hanging outside the hotel, shouting out our names and asking for autographs," says Amber Riley, who plays Mercedes Jones. "But I guess that just goes with the territory.
"Not that we ever thought it would be this big when we started," she adds, smiling. "Even the producers didn't know how people were going to react to Glee, because it's a musical. But, we knew it felt special and we had the best fun ever, doing it. It was only after we went on a sneak-peek tour of America and Australia, and all these fans wanted to meet us - after just one episode had aired - that we realised we'd done something right."
Admittedly, Glee's formula of Fame-meets-American Idol seemed an unlikely basis for a hit TV show. But its feel-good vibe and show-stopping renditions of hit songs and classic show tunes has captured the imagination of millions, transforming its cast into unlikely heroes.
"I used to go to a school musical camp every summer and that's just like Glee is," recalls Ashley Fink, who plays Lauren Zizes. "It's like hanging out with your best friends and singing, dancing and just having fun all day. I think that's why people like it so much."
And you can sense that, watching the Glee cast performing all their biggest tunes live during their recent US and British concert tour, with thousands of excited fans barely able to contain themselves.
"Doing the tour has been both insane and beautiful, all at the same time," grins Heather Morris, who stars as Brittany. "When there are 16,000 mobile phone cameras flashing at you, while you're performing, it's definitely a moment to savour. At times like that, it's like having an out-of-body experience and you suddenly stop and realise just how big Glee has got."
It's about to get even bigger, with Glee being projected from the small screen on to the big screen, with Glee Live! 3D! - a concert film featuring live performances of all the casts' most cherished routines, along with backstage footage from the North American leg of their recent Glee Live! In Concert! tour.
That fun and frivolity is undoubtedly part of Glee's appeal. But, below its cheerful veneer, there's also looms a darker underbelly, with Glee tackling more serious issues, like bullying, sexual orientation, discrimination and disability.
"I think one of the best things about Glee is that it does tackle the tougher issues," asserts Kevin McHale, who plays wheelchair-bound Artie Abrams.
"It's not just about singing and dancing, it also deals with everyday realities and has underlying themes about embracing what's different - what's special - about you. That's an important message running throughout the whole series."
"A lot of us on the show don't look like the people you typically see in Hollywood, and I think that's really empowering for our fans," suggests Amber Riley.
"I get so many heart-wrenchingly honest letters from young girls and I feel the obligation to be the exact, same way with them - just like I was in the episode Beautiful, where I talked openly about how I feel being fat and unattractive.
"You know, there's definitely a responsibility that comes with being in the public eye," she concludes, seriously. "You have two choices: you can either choose to be a celebrity, or you can choose to be a role model. I feel like we've chosen to be role models."
Perhaps that's the true secret to Glee's success - that beneath the pure escapism of its song and dance routines there lurks a steely reality. That's even more evident after watching Glee Live! 3D! - a film that not only showcases some great performances but also has enough behind-the-scenes footage to keep hardcore Gleeks happy ... until season three rolls around later in the year.
Lowdown
What: Glee Live! 3D!
When: Showing at cinemas now for a limited season
- TimeOut