Such is what happens when you enter the realm of a show like "Glee," which more and more seems less like a show and more like a cultural phenomenon.
But the local actor is taking it all in stride. He's enrolled at Orange Coast College, taking some courses to fortify his other industry interests, like screenwriting, directing, and music (he sings and plays bass and is interested in getting a band together).
Despite his breakout performance on "Glee," he's back to his routine now, auditioning, going to school, making personal appearances and preparing for whatever his next close-up may be. It's easy to think there will be many more — this is an extremely talented, disciplined performer that no doubt will get his calls. It doesn't hurt that he's a genuinely nice young man that you can't help but root for.
Who knows, maybe the producers will reprise the role of Gavroche (named, as Gray explained on the show, in honor of a "Les Miserables" character). No doubt the legions of "Glee" devotees would be thrilled – including our daughter, Claire, a musical theater student at Orange County High School for the Arts, and her friends who all closely follow Gray's career.
CHRIS EPTING is the author of 18 books, including the new "Hello, It's Me: Dispatches from a Pop Culture Junkie." You can write him at chris@chrisepting.com.
