Idols on Broadway

A lot of American Idols have found themselves on Broadway. Adam Lambert is taking a detour to pop from what looked like a path to Broadway. If Idol history is any indication, he'll be on the Great White Way soon enough.

Tamyra Gray, who Idol contestant way back in Season 1, just signed on for The Princess and the Black-Eyed Pea, a new African-set version of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Princess and the Pea," will be seen in a private workshop presentation in Manhattan July 20. Prior to this she has made a name for herself in Rent and Bombay Dreams.

The beleaguered Frenchie Davis from Season 2, still managed to pick up the pieces and star in Rent.

Season 2 runner up Clay Aiken did his turn in Spamalot. Then he came out and started a family. Broadway can be cathartic like that.

Season 3 Fantasia has performed “Celie” in The Color Purple and is reprising the role in D.C., Chicago and Atlanta this summer and fall.

Season 4 was FULL of Broadway talent – most notably the Tony® nominee Constantine Maroulis who is currently performing in Rock of Ages.

There have been others, and I encourage all of you American Idol fans to publish my omission in the comments below.

But most importantly – Taylor Hicks the Season 5 winner of American Idol is performing in Grease at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Aug. 18-23. The chicks will…

…you know the song.

-Kari G.

Taylor Hicks returns to Idol

Catch American Idol winner Taylor Hicks tonight on Idol performing his new song, "Seven Mile Breakdown." And then catch him live performing the role of "Teen Angel" in the tour of Grease when it comes to the TBPAC in August!

Lloyd Webber on American Idol

It appears that Andrew Lloyd Webber's work will the focus of the April 22 airing of American Idol. The composer will be mentoring and coaching the contestants.

Webber's catalog is vast including the unforgettable hits of Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar and Sunset Boulevard. There is also Starlight Express, Aspects of Love and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat.

I don't watch Idol (sorry, I just can't do that to my ears in hopes I'll hear the next Kelly or Carrie) but you know someone is going to do "Memory" and "I Don't Know How to Love Him." If the "rockers" of the group know what's good for them, they'll do something for JC Superstar or Joseph. Just please, please... nothing from Phantom. The music is just too challenging and operatic (hence the show's title). It would just be a train wreck!

Any thoughts on what songs you'd like to hear performed?

Sir Aiken?

No... Clay Aiken is not getting knighted. Um, well not like you think. He's actually signed on to play "Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir-Lancelot" in Broadway's Spamalot. He'll appear in the show Jan. 18-May 4.

Lost track of how many American Idol winners & finalist have made their way to Broadway? Check out this article on E!.

American Idol - the musical?

Idol: The Musical opened Off-Broadway last night. Check out what playbill.com has to say about the show:

Idol: The Musical — which is "based on the worship of Clay Aiken," one of the finalists on the second season of the hit reality TV series — begins previews at Off-Broadway's 45th Street Theatre July 5.

The musical, which was recently seen in Syracuse, NY, is directed by Daniel Tursi. Todd Ellis and Bipolar Productions are producing the Manhattan engagement.

The cast includes Babs Rubenstein as Adrienne, the musical's bad guy; Jennie Riverso as Alex, a brutally combative diamond-in-the-rough who fights all of her battles with her two fists; Nikita Richards as Cass, a Goth-chick whose voodoo doll is named Willard; Courtney Ellis as Cicaida, a child prodigy with an encyclopedic knowledge of the world; Jon Balcourt as Connor, the home-schooled kid; Ryan Sprague as Duncan, a loveable goofball obsessed with Western apparel; Joella Burt as Emily, the alpha-misfit; Joe Walker as J.D., the basketball phenom who longs to be a Chippendale dancer; and Roy George-Thiemann as Kodi, a self-appointed celebrity waiting to happen.

Idol: The Musical, according to press notes, is "a satirical musical comedy that focuses on the outrageous and delusional fan base of the hit television show. The musical takes place in Steubenville, Ohio where a group of misfit students are preparing for their high school graduation after which they are determined to drag themselves out of the dregs of the middle-of-nowhere. There are nine of them; all belonging to the same cult-like club that meets daily in a garage that doubles as a shrine to Clay Aiken. They are viciously ridiculed by the rest of Steubenville; a humiliating situation that doesn't deter their quest for all things Clay. They are victims of A.D.D., Ritalin, their misguided obsessions and their innocent longing for their elusive '15 minutes.' One of them pumps gas. One of them is home-schooled. One of them is a walking encyclopedia. And one of them is a basketball phenom who would rather be a Chippendale dancer. The other five have equally bizarre back-stories too complicated to tell here; but suffice it to know that the real bad-guy of the piece is a total harpy, prima donna named Adrienne. She gives new meaning to the word villain. The story heats up when the mid-American leg of the 'Idol Tour,' starring Clay Aiken, is announced to be playing Chicago, Memphis, Louisville, Scranton, Charleston, Greensboro, Roanoke and Steubenville. Steubenville! Let the worship begin."

The musical, based on a concept by Todd Ellis, features music and lyrics by Jon Balcourt with a book and lyrics by Bill Boland. Choreographers are Joe Walker and Jason Bumpus.

The design team comprises Brian Howard (scenic), Charles Shatzkin (lighting) and Keith Axton (costume).

Song titles include "Idolize," "Small Town Blues," "Fifteen Minutes," "Discipline," "Chip & Dale Days," "Prima Donna Fabulous," "Quakin' for Aiken," "Burnin' Hunk of Clay," "Simon Says," "Distance," "Family of Misfits" and "Realize."

You can check out Clay Aiken live and in person here at TBPAC on Aug. 17.

- Tara Mc.