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American Idol star, Clay Aiken, is getting good reviews as Sir Robin in Monty Python’s “Spamalot.” I have not had the chance to see it but I know that some of you have really enjoyed it.
I came across this review in Newsday and thought my Claymates would enjoy it. My only complaint was the brief discussion about how well Idol winner, Fantasia Barrino, had done on Broadway followed by this: “But what are the chances that another newbie from the South with zero stage experience would be able to slip into a high-maintenance Broadway hit without dragging it down like a boulder tied to its soft shoe?” I guess the writer isn’t familiar with Clay Aiken, lol. He seems born for the stage, if you ask me. Check it out:
Hey, it’s not dead yet. In the words of one of the supremely goofy bad-taste delights from “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” the musical may be approaching its third year at the Shubert Theatre. But the thing’s not dead yet – in fact, not even close.
Forgive our suspicion that “Spamalot” might have reached the uh-oh point in its heretofore long and happy run. After all, Clay Aiken, unknown until he was the runner-up in the second season of “American Idol,” had been cast, with alarming hoopla, to play Sir Robin and assorted zanies – in a British accent, in a role created on film by (author, lyricist, co-composer) Eric Idle himself and recreated on Broadway by David Hyde Pierce.
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image by Joan Marcus
Thanks Jeanne!
Except for a couple of unnecessary digs, this was a good review!
I guess ‘digs’ are in the eyes of the beholder. I thought it was excellent. If you choose to see a negative in this review, you’re sure to find one.
psbintl – you’re welcome
Yeah, Clay has had more than ‘zero’ stage experience. High School musicals (no, he was NOT cut from all on them-Clay, why do you keep saying that???You were incredible as Will in OKLAHOMA!), several Hometown Connection performances (Santa baby, anyone? LOL), amoung other gigs. Clay also acted on tv, too, several times. And I think the ‘fits’ should be changed to ‘fit’, Jeanne! LOL And..one big mistake the reviewer wrote-Clay was ‘runner-up’ on AI2. Majority of public now realize Clay was the huge winner of that show -votes and all!! I wonder, if Clay admitted being approached by Broadway producers even back in 2003-if he was the FIRST choice to portray Robin, but since he was not interested in Broadway at all at the time, Mike and Eric then went with DHP (who I saw in the show 1 1/2 years ago and was fantastic in the role-who knew HE could sing, too!-but NOT as funny as Clay!)
Well, going to haveto disagree with the otehr Jean. Highschool ain’t Broadway by a long shot. Performing in front of live crowds not the same as acting.
All in all, Clay did great. I have seen the play and the true measure of acting is how you fit in seemlessly with others in the play, that is ACTING, with capitral letters. You never hear Clay’s voice separate from the others in group songs, he has the same level and measures in, that is also pretty rare, except in experienced performers without ego.
Ihave to say, everyone that I know that has seen the show has been won over by the entire cast, what a great ensemble.
Clay was not cast in any plays in High School. He is correct about that. He did play Will Parker in Oklahoma and was good, but it was in MIDDLE SCHOOL. The Hometown Connection shows were concerts, not plays. He did go in with very little experience and none of the things he did pre AI are things the Broadway crowd would consider professional experience.