VIDEO: Clay Meets Fans at Stage Door

Clay came out to the stage door last night to meet a few anxious fans who came to see him in his opening night on Broadway's Spamalot.

Thanks to farouche for the video! Download the video at Badongo.

Clay Mentions Lecherous Broads in Interview

The Broads over at Lecherous Broads for Clay Aiken sure got a smile out of this one! Clay mentioned them, by name, during an interview earlier this week with Time Out New York -

In an interview with Time Out New York Clay spoke publicly (again!!!) about Lecherous Broads for Clay Aiken.

“There’s even a group called the Lecherous Broads for Clay Aiken! We appreciate them, but sometimes they’re like that cousin you love but can’t quite understand.”

Awwww, he lurves us. His passion and longing for his Kissin’ Cousin Lecherous Broads simply seeps from between the lines!

Of course at LBFCA we’ve seen the signs of Clay missing his Broads.

Showing up in an AP interview signaling us with a yummy New TIE.

Tidbits 1/19

• Spamalot is making news still, as Clay opened in New York last night:
• Toronto Sun -

  NEW YORK -- Clay Aiken, who joins the cast of Monty Python's Spamalot this week, says its humour was initially lost on him.
  
  "The first time I saw it I thought it was the stupidest thing I'd ever seen in my entire life," the American Idol runner-up told Newsweek. "My tour drummer is the Spamalot drummer, and (he) said you've got to see it again."

• The Sunday Paper - Barry Manilow concert listing ...

  There’s only one entertainer you can turn to—the master himself, BARRY MANILOW, who hits the stage at 8 p.m. at Philips Arena tonight with “An Evening of Music and Passion.” That’s right, you heard us. Call him the Sultan of Schmaltz, the King of the Copacabana or the original Clay Aiken

• Raleigh News & Observer - Barry Manilow ...

  Manilow concert reviews turn up with some regularity on McMann's blog, seantm.blogspot.com (he's also a Clay Aiken fan and writes about him there, too). But even though he's a journalist, McMann has never interviewed Manilow. It would be, he says, a daunting task.
  

• West Virginia Gazette Mail - American Idol ...

  The most successful, though, was runner-up Clay Aiken. He’s sold more than 6.5 million albums, faring better than winner Ruben Studdard, who has sold only about 3 million. He’s also written a memoir, guest starred on several TV shows and is now appearing on Broadway in “Monty Python’s Spamalot.”

• Spam, Spam and more Spam! Spamalot and Clay Aiken take over NYC -
• Clay - The MAN - oh, what a "knight"!
  
• Something That Really Happened - Spamalot reports from the boards
• The ConCLAYve - Clay Aiken... "Destiny's Child" -

  I did not think of Beyonce and company when I titled this blog. Or even Barack Obama, despite Rolling Stone's article wondering if he fit that label. To me, Clay Aiken embodies the name, especially tonight.
  
  Why tonight? Well, Clay begins a 3.5 month starring role in Monty Python's Spamalot this very evening. He often said his career path has taken various turns because his belief is “let go and let God”. Personally, I think God bought Destiny lunch because there are so many things that seem to place him on a path to be right where he is tonight.

• Chexxxy's Pearls
• There Was A Man -"Clay Aiken on Broadway: This Is The Knight"

  Opening night is finally here. After much preparation for the role: singing, dancing, acting, piano, interviews, and doing press, it is finally time for Clay to show the world not only does he belong on Broadway, but that Broadway is lucky to have him. Only the best singers are on Broadway, something Simon Cowell never seemed to wrap around his tiny pea-brain. It not the place for wannabe pop stars who can't make it on American Idol. It's for the elite-- the best singers, and the best actors. The performers have to bring it night after night; they have to engage the audience; they have to give a performance like it is the only one they are giving. There is no retake for that particular audience. There is no doubt in my mind, that Clay Aiken will bring it as he always does.
  

• Anew and Afresh - it's the Clay Aiken bus!

  NYC residents are so lucky...to live in a city that has my pretend boyfriend Clay Aiken's face on their public transportation. Must be Utopia. heee!
  
  Break a leg tonight, Clay! (I direct that directly to him 'cause you just know he's checking my blog while they're doing his make-up or something. Don't you think? ;-D)
  
  

Clay "Blown Away"

Clay blogged early this morning to thank us for the fantastic opening night at Spamalot last night. He said the entire Spamalot cast was impressed by the Claymate audience!

1 day down, 15 weeks to go!

Spamalot Welcomes Clay Aiken: Photos & Recaps

What night it was! Clay officially debuted on Broadway last night in the role of Sir Robin on the Tony award winning Spamalot.

Check out some of these great photos from Broadway.com and Getty.


Here is a fantastic recap from the CB's PinayRN4Clay:

Spamalot recap:

January 18, 2008- Clay's debut

Oh what a night! I spent the night grinning and laughing out loud and I was not alone. The sold-out Schubert Theater pulsated with cheers for Clay and company. The cast memebers were all excellent but Clay was undeniably the one with the biggest applause. All the numbers were treated with huge cheers, but Clay generated the most oohs and aahs, and the loudest ovation at the finale. What a star!!! image image image

First thing first, Clay gave his all to the show. He was a sentry, a guard, Brother Maynard and, of course, Sir Robin.
Let me just break in detail his appearances-

Act One-

Scene 3- Clay was the first tower sentry encountered by King Arthur and his servant Patsy. King Arthur was trying to recruit knights for the Round Table to join him in his search for Camelot. Clay's first appearance was greeted with squeals as the audience realized it was him up on the tower. The cutest British accent ever and the most expressive face! How he could remember his lines I don't know. He was bantering with the other sentry as they discussed whether swallows could successfully carry a coconut.

Scene 4- Clay as Sir Robin with Sir Lancelot and the Not Dead Fred. Honestly, I can't remember what he was singing here because I was transfixed by his handsome face and the long, reddish hair. I think this is when he first shook out his leg in a dance; who says he can't dance?

Scene 7 & 8- The King and all the knights singing "All for One". They gathered in Las Vegas-Camelot complete with showgirls and all the glitz. Clay was hilarious as he ogled and ran after the girls.

Scene 10- The knights were taunted by the French soldiers and they ended up running away. I dare say, Clay's trot was the cutest of them all. image

Intermission-


Act Two-

Scene 3- Sir Robin with the minstrels- Now, Clay didn't sing here but his facial expressions were priceless as he reacted to the lead minstrel describing all his "brave exploits", and he finally stopped the minstrel's singing about Sir Robin's body parts being injured. I am telling you ladies, you need to sit up front to be able to capture the nuances of his performance. I think this is where he first "soiled" his suit. This is what Mike Nichols had been raving about- Clay has great comedic timing.image

Scene 5- Sir Robin and ensemble. King Arthur had been tasked with the job of creating a Broadway musical. I think the reference for Idol was mentioned here. This is Clay's big number as he announced that you need Jews to launch a successful musical. He sang "You Won't Succeed On Broadway". A piano came out , Clay flipped his knight suit to reveal his backside (alas with thights, image), sat down and stretched his arms up then tinkled the ivories for a minute. He then threw a sexy backside glance image then proceeded to do the "Fiddler on the Roof" dance, this time with grails. Ooops, he reached out for the wrong grail but no one was the wiser as he dazzled the crowd as he performed the sore-muscle-inducing dance. Imagine him on his knees; he stretched one long leg out, then glided on his other knee. A lot of people gave him a standing ovation for this.

Scene 7- Clay appearing as the 1st guard. Laugh-out-loud turn as he tried to understand the instructions from Prince Herbert's father (another king) to make sure that his son doesn't leave the castle. He's just full of surprises as he carried out a really complicated conversation with the king.

Scene 9- Clay came out as Brother Maynard (in a brown frock with a moptop and cute glasses). He skipped when King Arthur actually meant for him to skip reading a long passage. A lucky fan (I'm sure she is a Claymate) who was found with the Holy Grail under her seat was brought up the stage and received the first Arthur award. Well, she was stealing glances at our Clay. I hope she gets a copy of the groupshot.

Finale- "Find your Grail" medley. Sir Robin sang about finding his Holy Grail in musical theater. Marvelous!! image

In the curtain call, Clay was second to the last to come out. He's a superstar. Even his castmates are acknowledging that when they turned and pointed at him as the whole audience erupted in cheers. Standing ovation. I was choked up with so much pride for Clay. His face was lit up as he absorbed the love from the audience and the respect from his peers. A nice salute at the end from Clay. Awww.

Isn't he wonderful?

More...

I forgot to mention that Clay yodeled at the show. Call me biased but he was the best yodeler of them all. There was also a new song written just for him. He also belted out in full glorious voice in his last number. I don't remember what scene it was, but he talk-sang a few lines from "People" by Barbra Streisand.

His dancing was enthusiastic; he was gyrating and shaking his bonbons and even did a hula dance.

It was great seeing my friends Linluvsclay and Zippy again. It was nice gushing about Clay during the intermission. The not-just-us people were probably amazed at the turn-out and at the level of enthusiasm from the Claymates. The man next to me was guffawing at all the jokes even much louder than me.

I paid $20.00 for a Spamalot Souvenir brochure that the seller was hawking as a Clay Aiken brochure. It turned out to only have the 2-page fold-out poster of Clay in his Sir Robin costume clutching the chicken and the same cast description that was in the Playbill. The rest of that brochure has previous actors who parlayed the different roles. It was funny though that when the man first came out with the brochures, a group of fans descended upon him then squealed loudly when someone unfolded the poster with Clay in full splendor. He came back several times to replenish the rapidly dwindling supply. He told me that Clay's fans are amazing.

My friend and her husband thoroughly enjoyed the show. This is their first Clay outing ever and they wouldn't shut up as we rode the subway back home. They were caught up in the excitement because all around us in Junior's (a restaurant just a few feet away from the theater) were groups of females giggling away. My friend correctly guessed that they were Claymates.

EEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! I've been back home for about 2 hours already here in Queens, NYC but I couldn't sleep yet. I'm still on a Clay high. I want to see him again!!!!

Official Fanclub To Get A Refresh

As we've been promised since October, a new version of Clay's official fanclub will finally come online over the "next few days", Clay said in a blog today. The new layout will feature a completely new design with better ways for fans to talk and interact with each other.

Clay Blogs: It's Showtime!

Clay posted to his official fanclub blog today about Spamalot. Although we can't reveal explicitly what Clay said, the gist of Clay's message is twofold:

1. NO CAMERAS OF ANY KIND
2. BE GENTLE!
   

New York Daily News: Clay ready for role as "new kid on the stage"

The New York Daily News has posted a great article about Clay's new role on Broadway's Spamalot, titled "Clay Aiken's big knight on Broadway". The article combines many quotations from Clay himself revealing some interesting stuff. Take a look:

Pop singer, how-to author and now, Broadway hatchling, Clay Aiken debuts Friday as Sir Robin in "Monty Python's Spamalot," the squirrely musical spoof of the Arthurian legend.

In the past couple of years, Aiken has fielded offers from other Broadway shows but passed because he was either busy or not very interested. He chose "Spamalot," he says, "because it's completely different. A lot of the stuff seemed, for lack of a better word, boring."

"Spamalot" is anything but. "It's the silliest thing on Broadway," he says, adding that it felt like a good fit even if Robin doesn't warble all that much. "I have a part with minimal singing," he says. "My big number is a Noel Coward-style patter song."

His powerful pipes are, after all, his claim to fame. The show's humor pulled him in. "It appealed to me," he says, "in the same way that it appeals to audiences."

Aiken credits fellow "Idol" alum Fantasia with playing a part in bringing him to Broadway. "Seeing her in 'The Color Purple' helped me decide to do this," says Aiken. "I was blown away. She said she was enjoying the experience."

Having his fans, those notorious Claymates, in the audience could ease his mind and let him know he's among friends. "They're coming out in full force," he says. "They'll be in the house."

And so will Clay - through May 4. When Fantasia's spotty "Purple" attendance record comes up, Aiken declares he's not using her as a role model when it comes to showing up for performances. "I plan," he says, "on making them all."

ABC Issues Press Release for "The View"

ABC has posted a new press release about upcoming guests on The View. The press release mentions Clay, who is scheduled to appear on the show on Tuesday, January 22 to talk about his new role on Broadway's Spamalot.

"All My Children" stars Debbi Morgan, Darnell Williams and Rebecca Budig, Colin Powell, Clay Aiken (Broadway's "Spamalot"), Julie Benz ("Rambo"), Tom Brokaw (author, "Boom") and Joan Lunden are among "The View" guests, live, JANUARY 21-25 (11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, ET) on the ABC Television Network.

Tidbits 1/18

• HULIQ - "5th Grader" special celebrity episodes continue in 2007 -

  A special celebrity edition of Fox�s Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? is set to hit TV screens on January 17 8:00-9:00PM ET/PT. Celebrity contestants this season have included Clay Aiken and Kellie Pickler (both of American Idol fame), Regis Philbin (Live with Regis and Kelly), TV personality Billy Bush, skateboarder Tony Hawk, and this week, Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson.

• About.com - article about Kimberley Locke -

  When season 2 of American Idol came to a close in 2003 most fan and media attention was focused on the top finishers Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard. Despite having her first single squeeze into the pop top 50, it seemed like the contestant who finished in 3rd place, Kimberley Locke, might be destined for obscurity in the music industry.

• StarPulse quotes Clay from his Newsweek interview -

  "We have a presidential election going on, and for whatever reason this is what people are interested in? I think that is probably the saddest thing. Leave her alone, just leave her alone." American Idol star Clay Aiken blasts the media for ignoring politics and going after troubled Britney Spears.

• Page Six - crazy Idol auditions in Dallas - "Kyle Ensley is the early contestant to be this season's Clay Aiken: Randy tells this nerdy little guy that his version of Queen's "Somebody to Love," felt "glee club." Who doesn't need a little more glee in their life?"
• Houston Chronicle - another Idol article ...

  Kyle Ensley wants to become governor of Oklahoma. The producers put a campaign spin on his package. A tie, geeky glasses and shaggy hair do not a pop star make, but his voice isn't terrible. A bit vanilla, but Simon gives nerdboy a yes.
  
  Randy thinks it was "very academic." I'm not sure what that means. A few digs at Clay Aiken, and Paula say yes! America, the beautiful.

• Baltimore Sun - AI ...

  Clay Aiken
  The jug-eared North Carolina native charmed viewers with his "geek-to-chic" metamorphosis but still came in as runner-up on Season 2. He has since eclipsed Studdard in popularity - particularly with his "Claymate" fan base. His first two albums sold more than 4 million copies combined. His third release, 2006's A Thousand Different Ways, went gold. This year, the 29-year-old will move to Broadway in Monty Python's Spamalot.
  
  Fever chart position: 7

Clay Set To Debut in Spamalot Tonight!

Clay will make his Broadway debut on Spamalot tonight in New York City. Claymania has not only taken over at the Shubert Theatre, but Clay's face is now plastered on New York City buses and he has risen to the #3 most searched for term today at Yahoo.com.

CDD has your complete Spamalot coverage. Here's today's run down of Spamalot mentions in the media:

• WRAL - BrainGame news quiz -

  Question 5
  American Idol Runner-Up Clay Aiken thought the play was, in his words,"The stupidest thing", he'd ever seen. This week he joins the cast in New York. Name the play based on a Monty Python movie.
  The Meaning of Life
  The Life of Brian
  Spamalot
  

• Broadway.com -

  Spamalot
  A hilarious and haphazard musical search for the Holy Grail courtesy of the Monty Python boys. Get tickets now to see Clay Aiken, starting January 18!

• Playbill -

  On Jan. 18 Monty Python's Spamalot, the Tony-winning musical at the Shubert Theatre, welcomes "American Idol" finalist Clay Aiken, West End leading lady Hannah Waddingham and the return of original cast member Christopher Sieber.
  
  Aiken is making his Broadway debut in the roles of Sir Robin/Guard/Brother Maynard, which were originated on Broadway by Tony winner David Hyde Pierce. Aiken's stint is currently scheduled to continue through May 4.
  
  Aiken — who was bested by Ruben Studdard during the second season of "American Idol" — has gone on to sell more than 6 million albums, co-author a best selling book ("Learning to Sing: Hearing the Music in Your Life") and play six sold-out concert tours. He was a focus of the short-lived Off-Broadway musical Idol: The Musical and has appeared on "Ed," "Saturday Night Live" and "Scrubs."

• New York Observer - "Clay Aiken debuts in "Spamalot" today. (Goings On)"
• New York Magazine -

  Are You Aiken for Spam?: For pathologically undemanding theatergoers who can’t wait for Shrek the Musical, Clay Aiken joins the cast of Spamalot tonight. [Playbill]

• Buffalo News -

  Get ready! The “American Idol” superstar, Clay Aiken, joins the Tony award-winning musical “Monty Python’s Spamalot,” making a line at the stage door of the Shubert Theater on West 44th Street beginning tonight. And he’ll stick with this hilarious show through May 4.
  
  Director Mike Nichols: “Clay is amazing, beyond that glorious voice. Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character. People are going to be surprised by his wide-ranging talent, since the first impression is of great country charm and a singer to remember. This guy is not only a star; he is a lot more. We’re lucky to get him for ‘Spamalot’!”

• Chortle -

  Clay Aiken, the 29-year-old American Idol runner-up who joined the cast of Monty Python's Spamalot on Broadway this week, has admitted he was no fan of the show. ‘The first time I saw it I thought it was the stupidest thing I'd ever seen in my entire life,’ he said. ‘I thought Monty Python was a person until three months ago.

• The New Yorker -

  Starting this Friday, the former “American Idol” runner-up Clay Aiken joins the cast of “Monty Python’s Spamalot” as Sir Robin—a role originated in the film “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” by Eric Idle, and on Broadway by David Hyde Pierce. Is it a coincidence that the seventh season of “American Idol” also began this week?

New York MTA Buses Decked Out Clay Aiken-Spamalot Style

Spamalot is advertising Clay's new role on Spamalot on the sides of some MTA buses in New York City. Now those are a set of hot wheels!

It's Getting Very Close!

... and here's the photographic proof.

We're 3 hours to show time, ladies and gentlemen!