AT THE 27TH Annual PaleyFest in Beverly Hills last Saturday night, more than 1800 fans – breaking a record for largest audience ever – gathered for a evening with the cast and creative talents of the hit Fox comedy with music series, “Glee.” After winning Best Comedy at the Golden Globes and Best Ensemble Cast for a Comedy at the Screen Actors Awards earlier this year, the series seems destined to make some beautiful music at the Emmys in August, especially after a surprise viewing of the director’s cut of the 14th episode scheduled to air on April 13th, back from its 4- month hiatus.

Co-creator/executive producer, Ryan Murphy (“Nip/Tuck”) continued to wow fans with many revelations about what’s ahead for the struggling Ohio high school Glee Club as it now prepares for regionals after winning sectionals. With intense speculation in the media and on fan websites, Murphy confirmed the first artist tribute-episode will feature 10 Madonna songs in the 15th episode with the Material Girl’s blessings. Cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester, played by the brilliant Jane Lynch, will perform “Vogue.” The self-effacing Lynch told the audience “it took about a day to film…with the video playing in front of us as we shot it and paused with every movement.” Other upcoming surprises include covering a song by today’s arguably biggest artist, Lady Gaga, in a show about the power of theatricality, and appearances by Idina Menzel (“Wicked”) and Neil Patrick Harris (dueting with club director Matthew Morrison) and the return of Kristen Chenoweth’s conniving and boozing character. The self-absorbed, but enormously talented, Rachel (an absent Lea Michele) and badboy jock Puck (Mark Stalling) will also reunite as a couple. Gay club member Kurt (Chris Colfer) gets a boyfriend and they will become a “power couple.” Murphy added that the character Kurt is based on Murphy’s experiences growing up (gay) and added that “I’m looking for him to be a role model and for kids who see that character and say, ‘I can be that.’” If you haven’t seen “Glee,” it’s clearly a show for everybody with a diverse mix of characters – some straight, physically handicapped, jocks, minorities and more.

Murphy and his collaborators also touched on the demands of putting the show together. Each episode is created with a theme in mind and then songs are chosen. It takes about two weeks to record each song and choreograph the numbers. Filming lasts about another 8 to 10 days before editing begins. It’s a long and exhausting process which explains why the first season had to go on hiatus. According to Murphy, the response from Hollywood has been phenomenal. Music clearance has become a lot easier with “Glee’s” smashing success. Neil Diamond tweeted about the use of “Sweet Caroline” in an episode and other artists, happy to oblige, have seen their songs rechart. However, some artists (Coldplay and Bryan Adams) have declined to participate simply because they don’t want their songs to be covered.

At Easter, the cast will perform at the White House and in May, launch a mini concert tour that has sold out in record time. Most significantly to fans and actors, the series will hold online auditions for a few new cast members next season. With this much success, it seems for certain that the Gleeks (yes, that’s what fans call themselves) will inherit the earth.