Tidbits 2/19

• Broadway Bears program a huge success - Clay's Sir Robin bear was auctioned off for an unbelievable $17,000:
• Playbill -

  The Spamalot bear — signed by Clay Aiken and David Hyde Pierce — raised the most money at the annual Broadway Bears fundraiser, which was held Feb. 17 at the B.B. King Blues Club & Grill on West 42nd Street.
  
  The Spamalot bear brought in $17,000 for the annual event, which benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Broadway Bears XI — hosted by Bryan Batt — earned a total of $127,000 for the charitable organization.

• Theater Mania -

  Forty specially-made bears, each dressed in original, handmade costumes representing the theater's most legendary characters, were auctioned. Top bids for bears were the $17,000 Spamalot bear signed by Clay Aiken and David Hyde Pierce; the $9,000 Lion King bear signed by Tom Alan Robbins; the $8,000 Cyrano bear signed by Jennifer Garner, Kevin Kline, and Daniel Sunjata; the $5,000 Little Mermaid bear signed by Sherie Rene Scott; and the $5,000 Wicked bear signed by Idina Menzel.

• MTV takes a look at six seasons of American Idol -

  Season Two: 2003
  
  WINNER: Ruben Studdard
  
  RUNNER-UP: Clay Aiken
  
  CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : By casting Ruben, Clay, Kimberley and Frenchie, "AI 2" broadens America's definition of "pop-star image." Fans eat it up. However, by voting on voice over looks, the season ends up being fairly predictable, where the singer who deserves to go home each week does. The final Ruben/Clay showdown is a tight race (one that Seacrest calls a "photo finish"), and although Studdard is the victor, Aiken ultimately wipes the floor with him in record sales. The disqualified Frenchie ends up paving a path that several "Idol" contestants (including Aiken) will follow once their pop music careers stall: Broadway. Speaking of struggling singers, in 2007, Ruben wins a new title: First "Idol" to be dropped by a record label. Ouch.

• Via Brightstar of CH, posted at The Clayboard by LoveOMC -

  back from a wonderful evening at the Metropolitan Room. Sean McDaniel, and Ben Cohen performed the music from a new play called: Big Tent-the Tammy Faye story. What a fabulous evening. The playwright was there very, young and talented. They had a variety of Broadway actors perform,and they were awesome. Quiana performed the last number and was fantabulous.
  she received the nights only standing O.
  
  Clay was there, he was seated at the last moment. he looked awesome, purple v-neck, brown tie, brown shirt,hair brushed oo to side. everyone behaved. no one bothered him. I could was seated facing Clay and the stage, from where i was sitting he really seemed to enjoy the show.

  At YouTube is a video of Quianna singing "Just Move On" from the musical.

• Nothing here today