Tidbits 10/17

SPAMALOT MAKING BIG NEWS!
Clay featured on the front page of today's Raleigh News & Observer.
Pictures courtesy the CB's JoyfulClaymate.

• Clay joining the cast of Broadway's Spamalot is still big news:
• Spamalot & Clay were mentioned on New York 1 today. A cap is up at ClackUnlimited.
  
• New York Times -

  Clay Aiken
  
  Into ‘Spamalot’
  
  This moment was destined to arrive. Everyone who follows the news on Broadway saw it coming, and perhaps tried to ignore it, but that it would come eventually there was no doubt. So here it is: Clay Aiken — yes, that Clay Aiken, the 2003 “American Idol” runner-up — will be joining the cast of “Spamalot” as Sir Robin from Jan. 18 to May 4. This will be Mr. Aiken’s Broadway debut. CAMPBELL ROBERTSON
  

• Zap2it.tv -

  Simon Cowell's most frequent complaint about Clay Aiken has turned into a prophesy: The "American Idol" loser is headed to Broadway.
  
  According to media reports, Aiken will premiere as Sir Robin in "Monty Python's Spamalot" starting on Jan. 18, 2008. Claymates will have ample opportunities to see their favorite crooner in the role originated by David Hyde Pierce, as his run will continue through May 4.

• Click2Houston -

  "American Idol" runner-up Clay Aiken is tackling the boards on Broadway.
  
  Aiken is joining the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical "Spamalot" beginning Jan. 18.

• Orlando Sentinel -

  Clay Aiken will join the Broadway cast of Monty Python's Spamalot on Jan. 18, playing one of the leads, Sir Robin, in the Tony Award-winning musical directed by Mike Nichols

• Pollstar -

  Clay Aiken Gets Medieval
  Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 3:30AM
  
  Former "American Idol" favorite Clay Aiken will make his Broadway debut early next year when he joins the cast of the Tony Award-winning musical "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Shubert Theatre in New York City.
  Aiken is stepping into the role of Sir Robin, which was originated by David Hyde Pierce, for a run that begins January 18 and wraps May 4.

• Dallas Fort Worth Star Telegram -

  Brave, brave, brave, brave Sir Clay
  
  Clay Aiken is heading to Broadway. The former American Idol runner-up will join the cast of the original New York production of Monty Python's Spamalot on Jan. 18, according to The Associated Press. Aiken will play Sir Robin, a role played by David Hyde Pierce, when the show opened, in March 2005. Aiken will stay with the production through May 4.

• New York Daily News -

  After criss-crossing the country over the next two months for a holiday concert circuit, Clay Aiken will be settling down in New York City.
  
  The "American Idol" runnerup will make his Broadway debut in "Spamalot" as Sir Robin, the lead part originated by David Hyde Pierce. He is set to play the role Jan. 18- May 4 in the Tony-winning musical, directed by Mike Nichols and co-created by Eric Idle.

• Baltimore Sun -

  Aiken on Broadway
  Clay Aiken will join the Broadway cast of Monty Python's Spamalot on Jan. 18, playing one of the leads, Sir Robin, in the Tony Award-winning musical.

• London Free Press -

  AIKEN JOINS BROADWAY'S SPAMALOT
  
  Clay Aiken will join the Broadway cast of Monty Python's Spamalot on Jan. 18, playing one of the leads, Sir Robin, in the Tony Award-winning musical. "The chance to work with legendary creative minds like Mike Nichols and Eric Idle is, on its own, a reason to jump at this opportunity."

• Philadelphia Inquirer -

  Spam spam spam spam . . .
  A paradigm change is afoot in the Broadway musical! (Or not.)
  
  American Idol finalist Clay Aiken will join the cast of Monty Python's Spamalot on Jan. 18, in the role of that most wussy Medieval Knight of all, Sir Robin.

• New York Post -

  CLAY AIKEN DOES BROADWAY
  By DON KAPLAN
  
  October 17, 2007 -- CLAY Aiken is heading to the Great White Way.
  
  Aiken, the former "American Idol" runner-up, will join the cast of "Monty Python's Spamalot" in the role originated by "Frasier" star David Hyde Pierce, according to Playbill.
  
  Aiken, who has distanced himself from "Idol" as his "easy listening" singing career has taken off, will appear in the show as Sir Robin from Jan.18 through May 4.

• PR Inside, Contact Music -

  AMERICAN IDOL star CLAY AIKEN is heading for Broadway as the star of Tony Award-winning musical MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT.
  The singer will make his New York theatrical debut in January (07) when he joins the cast in the role of Sir Robin, a part originated by former Frasier star David Hyde Pierce.
  Director Mike Nichols admits he can't wait to start working with the singer.
  He tells Playbill magazine, "Clay Aiken is amazing beyond that glorious voice.
  Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character." Aiken will begin his five-month run on 18 January (08).

• antiMusic -

  American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken has a new gig. And even bigger news for Claymates that have longed to see their musical deity in tights is that the new gig is on Broadway! Not any cheesy musical will do, Clive must not have been consulted because Clay actually landed a role with one of the few cool musicals- Monty Python's Spamalot.
  

• Vindy.com -

  Aiken joins 'Spamalot'
  
  NEW YORK — From "American Idol" to Eric Idle's "Spamalot." Clay Aiken will join the Broadway cast of "Monty Python's Spamalot" on Jan. 18, playing one of the leads, Sir Robin, in the Tony Award-winning musical directed by Mike Nichols. "I really couldn't have asked for a more wonderful group of people to work with," said Aiken, who became a recording and concert star after his appearances on the TV series "American Idol.".

• Monster & Critics -

  New York: Clay Aiken, American Idol finalist, is set to make his Broadway debut when he joins the cast of Monty Python's Spamalot next year. Aiken will join the cast as Sir Robin on January 18, 2008 for a run scheduled through May 4th.

• Hartford Courant
• Reality TV World -

  Clay Aiken joining the cast of Broadway's 'Spamalot' musical
  
  By Christopher Rocchio, 10/16/2007
  
  Clay Aiken is Broadway bound.
  
  The American Idol second-season runner-up will play the role of Sir Robin in Monty Python's Spamalot, making his debut in the Tony Award-winning musical on January 18 at the Shubert Theatre.

• MTV -

  Let the jokes begin: Clay Aiken is joining the cast of "Monty Python's Spamalot" on Broadway. The "American Idol" runner-up will play one of the lead roles, Sir Robin — which was previously taken on by David Hyde Pierce — from January 18 through May 4 in the production, which was spawned by "Python" member Eric Idle and directed by the esteemed Mike Nichols. "Let's not lie, the chance to work with legendary creative minds like Mike Nichols and Eric Idle is, on its own, a reason to jump at this opportunity," he told The Associated Press. ...

• Backstage.com -

  Clay Aiken Joins Broadway's 'Spamalot'
  October 17, 2007
  Clay Aiken is going from "American Idol" to Eric Idle's "Spamalot."
  
  Aiken will join the Broadway cast of "Monty Python's Spamalot" on Jan. 18, playing one of the leads, Sir Robin, in the Tony Award-winning musical directed by Mike Nichols.

• USA Today Idol Chatter -

  Nothing but 'Spam' for Clay in January
  
  This blog has seen spam a lot from some of Clay's more dedicated fans, but soon they and others will be seeing Spamalot a lot themselves. That's because, as I'm sure most Clay fans know by now but a few other Idol followers may not, Clay's stepping into the role of Sir Robin, one of the leads, in the Broadway production of the Monty Python musical Jan. 18, for a run that will last till May 4.

• The ConCLAYve reacts to Clay joining Spamalot -

  So now Clay Aiken is coming to Broadway in Spamalot and suddenly - who cares about "stunt" casting? I'm so thrilled I'm jumping out of my skin. What a brilliant move for Clay to choose Spamalot as the place to make his Broadway debut. And how wonderful that Mike Nichols and Eric Idle chose him. I saw this show with the original cast and my husband saw it once more. Now we're all set with tickets on my birthday to see it again. This is not your typical BIG VOICED musical. If Clay had done Les Miz or even RENT it wouldn't be such a surprise.
  

• Chexxxy's Pearls