The Broadway Year of Clay Aiken
A Look At The 2008 Broadway Idol Leader
Thousands love him. Others chastise. But no matter how you feel, American Idol and Clay Aiken sure have contributed greatly to Broadway this past year. With fellow American Idol colleagues in The Color Purple, GREASE, and Rock of Ages, Clay Aiken seemed to be the head-master of the “Broadway Idol” family in 2008.
Aiken came to Broadway’s Spamalot in January 2008. He says he did not decide to play in Spamalot for the music; he came to the show because of the story line. In an interview posted on his website, Aiken says that Spamalot is really not about the story plot, it is more about having fun with Broadway.
Aiken was in New York to record his new album (released May 2008) so he and his manager thought it would be a good idea to also star in Spamalot. However, Aiken confesses it is one of the hardest things that he has ever done. After all, recording an album along with performing in eight Spamalot shows a week (with Broadway fans expecting a stellar performance) is difficult.
Comments and press on Aiken are not similar to the typical Broadway star. He is followed by cameras, adored by fans, and criticized by tabloids. One publicist joked with us recently, saying that most Broadway stars are not recognized outside of the theater world. However, ‘Clay Aiken’ is a household name. And more often than not, negative press is the press that is printed. Be it fact or fiction.Aiken is able to inspire his fans through his volunteer work, personal life triumphs and having a son. The press sometimes overlooks that Aiken is a UNICEF Ambassador and was appointed by President Bush to be an advisor for the Department of Health and Human Services.
Aiken left Broadway in 2008 for a short time, only to come back to Spamalot in September. He currently is scheduled to be in Spamalot until January 4, 2009. Spamalot will close on Broadway soon after.In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Aiken said that he does not plan on coming back to Broadway anytime soon. Even so, Aiken’s caricature was immortalized at the iconic New York restaurant Sardi’s, underscoring Aiken’s contribution to Broadway in 2008.
As Aiken puts up his Broadway boots the next Idol Leader of Broadway remains to be determined. Will it be Taylor Hicks who is currently traveling on tour with GREASE? Or maybe Constantine Maroulis, who will be taking GREASE’s home for the on Broadway transition of Rock of Ages?Well, you can bet your boots we will keep you posted on the developments.
Tags: Ace Young, American Idol, Clay Aiken, Constantine Maroulis, Fantasia, Grease, Rock of Ages, Spamalot, Taylor Hicks, The Color Purple
December 27th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
I loved Clay’s Sir Robin and will be there again for his closing show on Jan. 4th. He really has done himself proud. I hope he returns to Broadway in the future and I don’t doubt that he will. Great job, Clay!
December 27th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
Indeed Clay has exceeded all expectations when first joining the Spamalot cast! Well done, Clay! And to the rest of the cast, rest assured that you have won over Clay’s fans by the sheer talented displayed during Spamalot. We hope to see you all on Broadway in various shows!!!!
December 27th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
Clay Aiken is one hell of a mad talented man. He really is very good in Spamalot and a truly fine human being.
December 27th, 2008 at 6:44 pm
I got to se Spamalot when Clay was there in the spring. Great show and I had a wonderful time. Tom Deckman was out, and that was my only regret. I have heard that he was wonderful.
It is too bad that Mr. Aiken is the target of so much negative press, but I guess that just shows that the media is consumed by him.
December 27th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Clay owns the role of Sir Robin and has done a fantastic job, far exceeding expectations. Certainly displays his acting and comedic skills. Love the blog and thanks for acknowledging Clay in such a positive fashion. I am sure that in the future he will be back on Broadway.
December 27th, 2008 at 6:51 pm
It has been wonderful to see the support that the Broadway community has given to Clay Aiken. He is a very talented young man and it was wonderful when I was able to see him in Spamalot. The entire cast worked well together and I look forward to following the careers of many of the Spamalot players.
It is too bad that some feel the need to belittle Clay and his talent. Why?? I have no idea. He is a rare talent!!
December 27th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Adorned by fans? They wish. Cute typo, though.
December 27th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
Clay is a rare talent and one who will, no doubt, make his mark in this world throughout the years. So many of the great American performers have passed on. In a world where mediocrity passes for talent, Clay stands above the rest because of his talent coupled with his character. I applaud this man and look forward to when he returns to Broadway. He deserves an originating role. Clay ALWAYS surpasses himself.
December 27th, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I was lucky to see Clay Aiken in Spamalot last March. Clay IS Sir Robin when he is on stage, his voice is wonderful and his comedic timing perfect. He fit right in with rest of the cast. I really enjoyed Hannah, Tom, Rick, Jonathan and Chris. My only regret is that I could not go back and see the second cast with Clay. Broadway has been great to Clay Aiken, it recognizes, embraces, and celebrates great talent, it’s too bad the media can’t do the same.
December 27th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
CONGRATULATIONS to Clay for an EXCELLENT run in “Spamalot”. He was just superb in his role as “Sir Robin”. You would never know he was new to the Broadway Scene, he fit in so well with the rest of the cast. A truly TALENTED young man with a Heart of Gold and a Glorious Voice. Hopefully he will return soon to the Great White Way!! Also Congrats to Mr. Aiken for the honor of having his photo added to the other Celebrities at “Sardi’s”. Well deserved honor. As a devoted fan I am so Very Proud of his accomplishments…………
December 27th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I saw Clay in Spamalot and believe me was pleasantly surprised by how awesome he was.Great voice combined by a rare comedic talent.His British accent is very credible to this Britisher.
December 27th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
A multi talented performer who is finally recognized for the superstar that he is and will continue to be. Great article regarding his accomplishment on Broadway, I would hope that his appearance has brought him many new fans and look forward to hearing him sing again on the Broadway stage, perhaps in a lead role next time. In the meantime when he returns to the concert stage…dont miss him, he is truly amazing.
December 27th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
“The press sometimes overlooks that Aiken is a UNICEF Ambassador and was appointed by President Bush to be an advisor for the Department of Health and Human Services.”
I wonder why that is?
Quick witted, amazing voice and charming personality AND a philanthropist, what’s the problem?
December 27th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Thank you! for the great article on Clay Aiken!! I’m hoping that the media will someday ‘get’ Clay Aiken for what a awesome, tremendous talented young man he is!! Like others have said, Broadway embraced Clay and he is sooo deserving of it!! I saw Clay last spring in Spamalot and will be there for closing weekend…seeing Clay’s last three shows. I love all the cast and hopefully will be able to see them again…in another Broadway play. And if, Clay does decide to do Broadway again, I will be there!! Clay getting his caricature at Sardi’s was an awesome tribute…I am so proud of him!
December 27th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
You forgot to mention Ace Young who is starring in Grease on Broadway playing the role of Kenickie! If you have a chance to see the show before it ends jan 4th, make sure you do! Ace is the STAR of the show!!
December 27th, 2008 at 9:45 pm
Man, he sure keeps popping up…
December 27th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
Thousands of fans? More like millions. He is the voice of a generation.
December 27th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
The fact that the media makes headlines of just about everything Clay Aiken says & does proves that he is far more than the 15-minutes-and-counting flash in the pan his detractors have been calling him for nearly 6 yrs now…. SIX YEARS!! The fact that they love to emphasize & in many cases make up out of whole cloth the negative is just a sad symptom of the declining morals in our society & some pathetic lowlifes obsessions with tearing down celebrities out of pure jealousy. There are so many positive aspects of Clay’s personality, life & career that deserve to get more press. All the kindnesses he has bestowed on fans over the yrs, many times going out of his way, all the praise he’s received from coworkers in the music, TV, touring & Broadway industries, & most of all, his commitment to helping disadvantaged children the world over. He is a humanitarian & a philanthropist first, an entertainer second. That is the real story of Clay Aiken.
December 28th, 2008 at 7:20 am
To all of the naysayers (MEDIA, ESPECIALLY) I say ,DON’T BE TOO JEALOUS OF CLAY. Please go & find your own GRAIL.I know you would give anything to be like him ,but there is only one CLAY AIKEN.To all of you who love to put him down ,GET A LIFE:there is so much more to life than what you seem to relish in.
December 28th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
sami says: “all the praise he’s received from coworkers in the music, TV, touring & Broadway industries,”
I can only tell you about the cast of Spamalot, they love him, but you see, he loves and respects them back. THIS cast took a while to realize Mr Aiken was NOT the person they had read about. When that happened, they took a 180 and the “love affair” continues.
December 28th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
CONGRATULATIONS, CLAY! Keep up the good work! You are doing a great job! A humanitarian, a philantrophist, an artist/entertainer, that is one hell-of-a job, kiddo! What matters is, you are DOING something to help better this world, especially the children’s world! God Bless!
December 28th, 2008 at 11:33 pm
I saw Spamalot with both David Hyde Pierce and Clay as Sir Robin (among the 3 characters they portrayed)-Clay was the much more exciting actor/singer. I was pleasantly surprised at David’s singing voice , as I didn’t even know he sang. But…when I first saw Clay last Jan. (I saw Clay Jan., March and this past Oct. in the show) in Spamalot I was blown away, even though I knew he was a fantastic actor -and, of course, singer. His THREE different British accents were all believable.
Clay fit right into the show immediately. His comic timing is impeccable! I hope this foray onto Broadway will get him noticed more for future stints on Broadway and maybe movie deals! Remember-as reported by many sources-’several Broadway producers’ wanted Clay for their shows as soon as he WON American Idol 2 (yes, he really did win-doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what went wrong that night with the ONE measly phone line). I am glad the writer of this story recognized Clay’s other humanitarian works besides his fantastic foundation. Clay has a very long musical/acting career ahead of him!!
December 29th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I thought Clay was great as Sir Robin, and I look forward to many other singing/acting opportunities for Clay in the future. He brought me to NY twice this past year, and I think I fell in love with the big city as well.
December 30th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
Well, after almost 6 years of being a devoted , dedicated and drooling fan my love for this phenominal entertainer has not waivered one bit , but only increased. As sure as I am the sky is blue , Clay Aiken will be around for eons to come to entertain the socks off his fans. This man had the singing all sewed up with his pipes of perfection , his range reaching up to the rafters then to add comdic improv to his growing list of accomplishments is proof that this Man should and needs to be listened to ! It is a true testiment of his talent when he can fill the shoes of a Toni-award winner (David Hyde Pierce) and will little experience. THAT is talent out the wazoo folks!! No more putting him in the “Manilow’(esq) box that RCA , Clive & so many others want to put him in …Clay is so much more than that (just take a listen to some of the fantastic songs on his “ON MY WAY HERE” CD like “EVERYTHING I DON’T NEED”! This is Clay as well !
I look forward to seeing and hearing from him in the future and finding out what he has planned next! He only keeps getting better ~! GO CLAY!!
January 9th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
Well, I won’t go on with a huge testimonial of why Clay is so amazing, but I do say that I love him a whole lot, and I went to NYC last March to see him in Spamalot during my Spring Break. I very much enjoyed it!
I’m glad my first Broadway experience was due to him!