Unless you’ve been living under the proverbial rock for the past year, most of you have heard of the Fox TV hit, Glee. The general concept of the show can appear as cheesy as it sounds. And at first glance the characters resemble the typical stereotypes of an after-school special or a “United Colors of Benetton” ad with music and jazz hands. Not one to pass up a good showtune, I watched the pilot episode and fell for it immediately…hook, line and sinker! It’s obvious any musical theatre lover is the targeted demographic for this deeply niche series. So what attracts the non-traditional theatre crowds?
When I posed the question to various types of people I always got the same response: “Because it’s different”. Glee is not about spoiled, rich kids living an unrealistic life in a fabulous city. (I’m pointing my finger at you Gossip Girl!) Instead “the show focuses on multiple people’s struggles…it's easy to connect to someone” as stated by TUTS’ Twitter follower @jasonbroussard. Perhaps Glee is the musical version of The Breakfast Club with modern, relatable characters and social issues.
The use of music from an array of genres stands out in my mind most of all. The writers are geniuses at providing a juxtaposition of “theatricality” without going over-the-top by bursting into song. According to another TUTS’ Twitter follower @jamesgubera, “The plot is not main reason to watch. Gr8 song can change a whole nite.” Need to see it to believe it? Watch the hundreds of videos that get uploaded to YouTube every day of fans recreating the musical numbers!
Now at the end of its second season, Glee remains oddly addictive and continues to attract viewers by the masses each week. So readers, do you think Glee is another way to expose people to musicals? Would you like to see a staged version of Glee: The Musical? What are your thoughts on why this show has been such a big hit with musical and non-musical lovers?
See you under the stars!
Thea
P.S. Don’t miss Theatre Under The Stars’ season special this Sunday, June 6 at 10:35 pm on ABC 13. I can’t wait to see what the new season is all about and why it’s said to SHINE!