Clay Aiken Broadway Star

Who was lucky enough to see Clay Aiken shine on the Spamalot stage?
Clay starred in the role of Sir Robin. He also took the smaller roles of a monk and of guards.

Not being among those attending, I was glued to the Clay message boards every show waiting for reports from the Clay fans attending. They were so good to read, then the after show reports of Clay going to greet the throngs of fans to sign autographs..and have his picture taken. What a treat for all of us unable to be there.




I made this montage from the TV and news internet news clips.



A Few Audience Comments:

"...his British accent was spot on"
"...his dancing was fluid and professional"
"...his character acting and expressions were hilarious"
"...he did not appear to be nervous at all"
"The other actors seemed to really appreciate him"
"In the curtain call, Clay was second to the last to be introduced. He was the superstar of the show, his castmates acknowledged that. Standing ovations were the norm for him. His face was lit up as he absorbed the love from the audience and the respect from his peers."
"He did the Russian dance......PERFECTLY! He was spot ON!!! "
"...his comedic timing with this dialog is perfect! "
"He blended in perfectly as part of the ensemble cast"
"By the end of the show you almost forgot it was CLAY
up there. He was an ACTOR!"


Comments like this continued to pour in throughout both of Clay's Spamalot runs.



The media heaped well deserved praise on Clay's Broadway appearances.

Playbill

Aiken, who played a Jan. 18-May 4 '08 stint in the Tony-winning musical at the Shubert Theatre, will return to the New York cast Sept. 19. He will reprise his role of Sir Robin through Jan. 4, 2009.

In a statement Aiken joked, "Since leaving Spamalot in May, jokes have just not been funny. Food has lost its taste. The grass is no longer green - the sky no longer blue. And, babies won't stop crying!! I'm so excited about coming back to the funniest show in the world!"







Broadway blog-Spamalot Crowd Crowns King Clay

Spamalot Crowd Crowns King Clay

While he may be playing a "Sir" on Broadway in Spamalot, it is safe to say that he was King Clay Aiken at last night's opening. Of course, Spamalot has an excellent new king in Michael Siberry, and an awesome Lady in that lake with Merle Dandridge too. The new additions to the cast of Spamalot all seemed to walk on air, and this up close look at the celebratory curtain call can't help but put a smile on your face. American Idol star Clay Aiken is a natural on Broadway.
This is the excitement that happens on those rare occasions on Broadway. At the moment, forget Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe in Equus, and Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise and their entourage of Scientology protesters at All My Sons, or even forget Entourage's Jeremy Piven in Speed-The-Plow, or Ace Young in Grease. The big story on Broadway today is Clay! He is back on Broadway, and the fun has begun.

Photos by toni7babe, dancer dad, bobyshar, scrpkym.







Clay's first run in "Spamalot" had a noticeable effect on box office. Weekly sales for the tuner surged the week Aiken joined the cast and took a steep tumble the frame after he departed. The sales shot up again when he returned in September.



I have no doubt that whatever Clay does next he will shine like the true star that he is.
So, Clay, what will it be?


Thank you to all for your visits and support to my page!

Technorati Tags: Broadway, Clay Aiken, Playbill, Spamalot, YouTube, montage,

Clay Aiken Everywhere

Since January 2003 and Clay Aiken came into our lives via our TV set, we have been with him to Everywhere! The last stop has been to star on the Broadway stage as Sir Robin in Spamalot.
We don't know yet what is next but--The Best is Yet to Come!

On My Way Here ~ Clay Aiken


Sentimental Journey by ABM



2003


Sardi's December 2008

These years with Clay have not only been extremely entertaining, they have opened a whole new world for me, and I think a lot of you too. The list is long, from new friends around the world to learning many new things.
One of those has been a renewed interest for me in the magical world of Broadway. The closest I've ever come to a Broadway show is attending a few local theatre shows, and was a chorus girl, at 13, in a show for the local Kinsmen Club. I remember how hectic it was backstage and how scared I was as I was the lead girl. Thankfully I didn't fall on my face with the entrance or fall on my butt with the high kicks!
I grew up with movie magazines that always had a stage section about the Theatre and wondered what the really big shows were like. I saw pretty well every musical movie production that was made, at the movie theatre.

Recently I found a TV channel (TCM) to go along with PBS that runs Golden Age movies covering from 30's, 40's, 50's & 60's. My favourite movies are from this time. I can't remember when I've watched so much good TV! I don't fall asleep when these are good old reruns are playing.

The Golden Age of Broadway

I've been seeing a lot of the Shubert Theatre in these shows, especially during a three part show on the Golden Age of Broadway. A number of mentions & settings in movies too. I lost count how many times I saw it, next time I'll keep notes, LOL.

It seems nearly every huge Broadway star performed there. Most of the stars I knew from the movies, as many of the top Hollywood stars started out on the stage. It's no wonder, since it's been open since 1913.
The last few years it's the Hollywood stars that are going to Broadway.


Shubert Theatre 1919

Before Clay I never noticed it, now when I see or hear the Shubert mentioned I think of Clay, so he really is everywhere!

The internet has a multitude of information sites about the theatre, here are but a few of the places I found interesting, and informative too.

quote:
Musical theatre is a form of theatre combining music, songs, spoken dialogue and dance. The emotional content of the piece – humor, pathos, love, anger – as well as the story itself, is communicated through the words, music, movement and technical aspects of the entertainment as an integrated whole. Since the early 20th century, musical theatre stage works have generally been called simply, "musicals".

Musicals are performed all around the world. They may be presented in large venues, such as big budget West End and Broadway theatre productions in London and New York City, or in smaller Fringe Theatre, Off-Broadway or regional productions, on tour, or by amateur groups in schools, theatres and other performance spaces. In addition to Britain and North America, there are vibrant musical theatre scenes in many countries in Europe, Latin America and Asia.

Some famous musicals include Show Boat, Oklahoma!, West Side Story, The Fantasticks, Hair, A Chorus Line, Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Rent, and The Producers.

Musical theatre, wikipedia

Broadway to Hollywood an interesting group of essays covering from the 30's to the 90's.

Broadway: The Golden Age, by the Legends Who Were There


Shubert Theatre now, thanks to Toni7babe

The Shubert Theatre History

Some day maybe I'll get to see a real live Broadway show (maybe starring Clay Aiken) so I can truly separate the theatre from the movies!











I'm off to watch "An Affair to Remember" (1957), a favourite very romantic movie with Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant. Tomorrow afternoon is bringing me "Singin' in the Rain", with Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds (1952)