Darren Criss: Solo Album in the Works!

Darren Criss wears his Warblers uniform on the cover of Billboard magazine’s latest issue, on newsstands Monday (April 18).

Here’s what the 24-year-old Glee actor and singer had to share:

On why he got into musical theater: “For me, it was Disney. I remember seeing people’s reaction to Aladdin and thinking, ‘Oh, man, I want to be a genie when I grow up!’ Robin Williams is a pretty big character in San Francisco. I was like, ‘I want to do whatever that guy does. What does he do, Mom? He’s an actor? OK, I want to do that.’”

On the possibility of recording a solo album with Sony: “We’re working on it – we’re really excited and it’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time. I’m so thrilled that it’s something that can happen because of Glee, and like the Warblers album I hope I can do it justice and make it something that people can really enjoy.”

On getting prepared for the Glee tour: A year ago, I was so psyched that my first show in L.A. was at the Troubadour. Talk about so much for baby steps. It’s like, ‘Wait – Staples Center, are you kidding me?’ I was happy to drive around in a beat-up, crappy old van with my bandmates and just go to small clubs around the country.”

For more from Darren, visit Billboard.com!

Bigger cover pic inside…