Clay Talks About Performing on Broadway

The Theatre Development Fund website has an interesting and fun interview with Clay about his role as Sir Robin on the Broadway production of Monty Python's Spamalot.

I like his comment about why he thinks so many former American Idol contestants have done so well on Broadway:

Aiken's casting, along with that of Idol contender Fantasia as a replacement Celie in The Color Purple, has raised a few eyebrows. Were these reality TV creations really qualified to strut their stuff on the Main Stem?

"I think one reason people who've been on Idol are showin' up on Broadway is that they're people who can do something live," Aiken notes, making a clear contrast with both film and TV actors and studio-produced pop singers, all of whom get multiple takes to get it right. "The talent for singing live—that's what you need here."

I think that is so true. Though the young people who participate in American Idol are often disparaged, I have always believed that it actually takes a lot of talent and stage presence to successfully compete on the show. Many respected professional artists in the industry would have a difficult time performing live like these unknowns do every week on that show.

In the article Clay also talks about working with Eric Idle and Mike Nichols:

Aiken credits author Eric Idle and director Mike Nichols with steering him well in the first department.

"Eric Idle was very complimentary, which always helps when you have no idea what you're doing," Aiken says. "Mike Nichols, in addition to being the premeir director of our lifetime, is very easy to work with. I like to think I take direction well, but I can imagine that sometimes a director might have a really hard job in explaining a part, and what's required. Mike comes up with the most colorful and hilarious ways to explain what he's looking for."

Nichols also stressed something you might not expect in such a go-for-broke comedy.

"Overall, I probably have a tendency to overdo certain things," Aiken admits. "Mike is big on subtlety and kept reminding us, 'You aren't funny—the script is funny.' It's all very silly, but what makes it funny is that none of the characters realize how stupid they really are, so it actually gets more laughs when the lines are played a little more straight."

Be sure to read the rest of the article here: Clay Time

And for current news, it appears that Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis were in the audience tonight! How great that Clay's friends are coming to see him in Spamalot. Reminds me of when Clay and Ruben went to see Frenchie in Rent in 2003. This was reported by Paul Wontorek in May 2003:

IDOLS IN THE HOUSE
The audience at Rent last Saturday night couldn't believe their eyes--was that really American Idol champ Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken sitting in Box A of the Nederlander? Yup--they were there to check out Franchelle "Frenchie" Davis, the American Idol bootee who is making her Broadway debut in the show. I caught up with the talented two (and their battery of music industry types) during intermission. The rumor backstage at Rent is that Frenchie and Ruben are more than friends, but I didn't really witness any sparks when she came out to greet them. As for 24-year-old Clay, I asked if he's heading to Broadway next. After all, American Idol host Simon Cowell regularly criticized his voice as being "too Broadway" for the contest. "I never really thought about it before," Clay told me. Well, think about it now, Clay! For producers who want to cash in on his quick celebrity, I offer a list of roles that Aiken could be perfect for: Mark in Rent, Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Snail with the Mail in A Year with Frog and Toad, the Emcee in Cabaret (okay, I'm stretching!) and, of course, Chip in Beauty and the Beast. Strike while the iron is hot!

Who knew at the time that Clay would actually end up on Broadway?

It was also reported by crazyglue91152 at the Clayboard that David Foster and Kelly Clarkson were in the audience last Tuesday:

[...]During the intermission while I was talking to clayngel who told me that K[elly] C[larkson] and David Foster were there in the audience, [...]. On my way back to my seat, walking on the 2nd aisle, Kelly was right in front of me and she's talking to a guy and telling him that her favorite song was the one sang during the boat scene (Galahad & LOTL). During the finale, I also said hello and spoke for few seconds to David while walking backup on the aisle to his row as we were both standing and clapping and singing and dancing along to the finale song "Always look on the bright side of life". He was all smiles and told me that he really enjoyed the show and that it was hilarious and Clay was fantastic.

Don't forget that Ruben and Frenchie will be touring with the musical Ain't Misbehavin' starting November 14. You can see pictures of them rehearsing in the studio here: Idols Studdard and Davis Hit the Studio with the Cast of Ain't Misbehavin'

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