Once Again The Stage Door is Drawing a Crowd

In the days before Clay joined Spamalot again, a few people were wondering whether or not he would come out the stage door and sign autographs like he did before. That question was answered the very first night. And not only is this tradition still intact, but the crowds are as big as ever! Take a look at some of the pictures taken at the stage door this weekend:





In addition to these great pictures, here is a YouTube video from the Stage Door.

You Tube Spamalot Stage Door - Sept. 19th, 2008 (By MegLeisey)

Pictures From Curtain Call of Clay's 2nd Successful Opening Night

Once again, Clay had a very successful opening night as Sir Robin in his second run of Spamalot. Clay, as well as his fellow cast members, were welcomed with loud and enthusiastic cheers and standing ovations by the audience of both fans and non-fans.

Broadwayworld.com had this to say about Clay:

Clay Aiken returned to the scene of his triumphant Broadway debut Friday September 19th as he reprised the role of 'Sir Robin' in the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Monty Python's Spamalot. Clay's debut on Broadway earlier this year was met with wild enthusiasm from both his legion of fans and the New York press.

In addition, Broadway World posted numerous pictures of Clay and the other cast members at the curtain call. Below are a few of those pictures. Be sure and check them all out at Broadway.com.

Clay Is King on Broadway

King Clay Aiken Broadway In Detail: Fun Has Begun




Clay's return to Broadway has been met with open arms from the cast as well as the media for sure. The following is a report from Broadway.tv.com on their views. Of course I would say we all agree, LOL.

Spamalot Crowd Crowns King Clay

While he may be playing a “Sir” on Broadway in Spamalot, it is safe to say that he was King Clay Aiken at last night’s opening. Of course, Spamalot has an excellent new king in Michael Siberry, and an awesome Lady in that lake with Merle Dandridge too. The new additions to the cast of Spamalot all seemed to walk on air, and this up close look at the celebratory curtain call can’t help but put a smile on your face. American Idol star Clay Aiken is a natural on Broadway. This is the excitement that happens on those rare occasions on Broadway. At the moment, forget Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe in Equus, and Katie Holmes, Tom Cruise and their entourage of Scientology protesters at All My Sons, or even forget Entourage’s Jeremy Piven in Speed-The-Plow, or Ace Young in Grease. The big story on Broadway today is Clay! He is back on Broadway, and the fun has begun.

J. Pellegrini/WireImage.com.
-Broadway Magazine, Broadway.tv

Melissa meets Clay 09-19-08

Melissa with King Clay…



You always go to the theater, or the concert hoping against all hope that you will come within just a few feet of Clay so that you can say that you had, but almost never do we feel that we will achieve what Melissa has, LOL. You go girl! She not only got within a few feet of him, she got his autograph, she got a hug, a whisper in her ear, a soft shoulder to lean on, and numerous photographs with him. Please read on as she reports it as she saw and felt it…

I am Melissa - aiken4aikenstouch - the girl in a wheelchair that Clay took a picture with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t even know what to say I can barely type LOL. This was all my dads doing he left Spamalot early and saved me a spot right at the front. Clay came out and signed my playbill and Dad asked if we could get a picture and he said we’d do something and Jerome told me to stay put (like I was going anywhere!!!!!) and when he was done Clay pulled me through the barrier hugged me and asked me "What’s your name sweetie" and I said "Melissa...O My God" LOL then he said "Let's turn around" and he knelt beside me for the picture and while we were waiting he whispered in my ear "Is dad gonna ever take the picture" LOL and then it was done let me Just say that he has very comfy shoulders to lean on *Thud* and he gives the best hugs EVER. Thank you Clay for making my dream come true!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Later she wrote:

YOU GUYS ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOO AMAZING I FEEL SO LOVED It is so nice to know that even if it was only for a minute Clay knew who I was and even if he doesn't remember, it is something I will NEVER FORGET!

Also check out her video remembering her time with Clay at You Tube.

Photos Galore From Opening Night!!

What's the next best thing to seeing Clay in Spamalot for yourself? Why, the answer's easy...seeing Clay via lots of clack! And do we have clack for you!!

From Getty Images, we have a sampling of pictures from the curtain call. Getty has a total of 21 images. Click on the first one at their website to enlarge it; then you can scroll through all the enlarged pictures. We have 12 here for your viewing pleasure:



From Clayboard fans who were there, we have pictures from the stage door:

From Clayshines:



From Toni7babe:



From lsdollylovesclay:

Another Blog From Clay

Clay blogged again on Friday, September 19, at The Official Fan Club. Take this link to the OFC and check out what all he had to say. If this doesn't melt your heart, nothing will.

If you aren't a member of the OFC, you can join so you can read all of Clay's blogs, take part in the contests, and enjoy a variety of other things. Just head over to the OFC via this link: JOIN OFC

A Visit To Spamalot, Pre-Clay Show

Have you ever wondered what Spamalot was like from the time Clay left until now? Well, now we can get an idea about this. The Clayboard's imsnoqueen went to see the show Thursday night, sans Clay. Here is her review. I think you'll enjoy it very much. I've bolded a few parts that I especially found interesting.

I went to see Spamalot last night, to evaluate the show pre-Clay Return.

The new king, who recently joined the cast, plays the role as a more goofy character. The comedic timing on a few of the jokes was a bit off, as he didn't give the audience time to laugh. In addition, he talks a bit fast, so some of the lines were not discernible. But, overall, he gave a good performance. I liked his "I'm All Alone" performance very much.

David is back as Patsy...I love him!

The outgoing Sir Robin did a nice job, particularly on "You Won't Succeed on Broadway." The actor who played Sir Robin did not flip up the back of his tunic, when he sat down at the piano. He played the piano quite well, and included a section from the song "I will Survive." He enunciates very clearly and talks slower than Clay. He's smaller and more "bouncy" than Clay. I feel Clay plays the role with a stronger English accent, more comical, and as more of a "chicken."

The Knights Who Say Ni joke was that he was the father of Sarah Palin's daughter's baby. His exit line was, "I have to go now and check on my AIG stock."

Sir Galahad did a great job, particularly in the role of Prince Herbert's father, and his presence seemed to outshine Sir Robin, as a starring character.

The Lady of the Lake was a smash with the Diva song. She doesn't have the operatic voice, like Hannah's, but added her own spin. There was a line in the song, where she said they were going to replace her with Britney Spears, rather than Posh Spice. During the part, where they are searching for the Grail, she somehow incorporates part of Rihanna's umbrella song...ella...ella...ella.

The peasant seat was B101 last night. There are a lot more lines from the cast, speculating on what the meaning of B101 is. The peasant brought onstage was an older man, who was completely surprised.

As has been mentioned before, the "Idol of My Age" and "Spam Spam Wonderful Spam" singing parts were not in the show. I expect that those will return tonight.

During the "Run Away" song, the girls in the chorus seemed to be grabbing Sir Robin's butt more, so we (and Clay) should be looking forward to that.

I think Prince Herbert got a new wig.

Overall, the show was excellent, and the audience was enthusiastic, although there were no standing ovations, even at the end. The cast is so good, and the show is so colorful and energetic. It's almost exhausting to watch. The orchestra was full. I'd put the mezzanine at 25% full. I couldn't see the balcony, other than to see that here were people up there.

There were 5 people at the stage door. The King signed autographs, and Tom Deckman and Bradley Dean came out while I was there.

We spoke with one of the cast members, who said that the cast was very happy about Clay's return. He said they'd been at about 60% in sales, since Labor Day, and that the expectation is that Clay's return will increase sales. He said that tonight is close to being sold out, and that sales are good for the first weekend and next week.

That's all folks!

Clay's Second Opening Night at Spamalot a Huge Success

Once again, Clay has shown just what an all around talented performer he is. His second opening night in Spamalot was perfection, according to several fans from The Clayboard who posted their experiences at the musical there.

For those of us who could not be at the opening night, here is the next best thing. Read on to see just what a wonderful night it was from the fans who were there. This is fairly long, but you'll love every second you're reading it! We will list the fan's screen name and the comments they have about their New York adventure:

Toni7babe:

Good Morning from New York!! EEEEEEEEEEEEE!! I am here already!! Waiting for my shuttle at the airport but wanted to pop in and tell y'all the brochures for Spamalot that are in all the stands at the airport now have the pic of Clay and other's in Spam coming out of the holy grail cup... like the pop up advertisement pic that was posted yesterday. He is front and center and a weeee bit larger than the others.

In Red above it...the print is : Now with International Superstar and then bigger in yellow CLAY AIKEN!!!

WOO HOO!! I love him!! and I love NY and Spamalot!! They treat him well!

Claycrazzy12:

I was sitting outside at Juniors in Nyc and at 1:30 Clay wearing a dark blue north carolina hoddie walked by with Jermone! He looked great! My brain didnt process it in time to take a picture! Just wanted to let everyone know!

Toni7babe:

Claymates gave huge ovations to everyone!!! Orchestra and Mezz is full...cannot see balcony... Flirting with all the girls on stage....... Tremendous cheers when he sang "Idol of my age"........ huge cheers for "Spam...wonderful Spam..." Showing a lot of love to everyone.... Lady Of The Lake has great voice but does not have command of the stage or "tracts of land" that Hannah had....

Jerome is standing at the side of the audience. Doesn't know why. He is so cute!!!! Lots of new chorus girls.... Sideburns are quite a bit shorter.... so cute!! Held chicken up high....so cute... Huge cheer for Hula. Slo Motion horse action was jerky and great...... He was really really cute. Puckered his lips a couple of times.

Not showing any nervousness at all. Moving very well.... Did not screw up any lines.......

When cymbal went off during "Quail" scene.......he got up on this knees and said "Stop that"!!! He is wonderful.....great..... Hasn't missed a beat.......

From BFS on CV cellcert:

King is more animated than Jonathan Hadary was. Beautiful voice. Clay is making more faces than before....more animated. Tower scene was terrific and amazing. So much better.

King is funnier and much more into it. Lady of the Lake is stunning...awsomely beautiful...and sings beautifully. We can hate her from afar!!! LOL

Sir Robin giving the King some funny looks...like "what is wrong with you" type things. Did not kick the French Taunter's castle door as he did before.

When the LOL takes off the glove of armor in Camelot, he bobbled the catch.......

Tonibabe:

Bottle dance was perfect! 6 or so photographers went up near the stage during the bows. He didn't really play with the ribbons much. Not all the regular gates are up at the stage door. She's going to try to get pics!

Facial expressions during Brave Sir Robin were terrific...right on......

Tons of people at the door....

Huge curtain call....... very loud.....curtain call went on for quite a while...standing ovation.

Sir Robin comes out for bow just before King.

I'm not sure who said this, but it was posted by Joy2talk2U:

Two NJU Canadians there for the first time.....loved it so much that they are coming back tomorrow..!!!!....

Clay is out......hoodie.......Jerome there..... So many people that she can hardly see him. OMG....much screaming....... down on his knee with a child posing for a picture.

From Clackhouse via Clayshines:

I think he stopped to take a picture of himself with a woman in a wheelchair. How great that he did that.

From Susan via Joy2Talk2U:

2nd row seat...... sat next to peasant. Peasant got handshake and pat on shoulder from Clay.

Bottle dance.......massive use of tongue......total concentration. His performance was like he never left the show. Loved, loved, loved the new King. He was so funny.

Crowd was very very loud. It was amazing to be there.

Here is a really sweet story from tiggy52winkle:

I've been reading the reports and just got a call from Fab4Clayton. The young lady in the wheelchair that Clay bent down and took a picture with was one of our Baltimore Claymates!!! She is just overjoyed as you can imagine! He signed her playbill and then her Dad asked if he would take a picture with her and of course Clay obliged. Apparently he gave her a hug, too. Fab4Clayton thinks she got it on video! Luckily she also got her program signed. She said Clay looked wonderful and was very friendly to the crowd. Signed LOTS of autographs; she was way down by the end. He looked really happy tonight. Most of the other details about the show have been covered by others already so I won't repeat. I just can't tell you how Clay made that young woman's night tonight!

Here is hosaa's last phone message to another friend before she headed over to Sardi's:

Just got a call from Hosaa - said CLAY WAS GREAT!! Like he had never been away. Clay came out for a very short time to sign autographs, but she was about 5 deep behind the line. She said the TMZ photographer was right at the head of the line, and the paparazzi were out in full force, so let's hope we get some GOOD publicity out of this! Hair was short and flattened down like he had just got out of the shower. woo hoo!! LOL Said he looked VERY young. Big crowd - lots of people who had just come to see the show and got Clay as as added bonus. Said they were impressed with him. He was winking, etc. and was just wonderful. She was headed to Sardi's for the after-party. She couldn't hear very well, and there was lots of background noise so I'm not surprised. She said she had a wonderful time, and would try to write later but wasn't sure if she would be able to do so until tomorrow. She got one picture of him and one of the Lady of the Lake.

More Pictures, and a Video(!), Posted From Clay's Attendance at "A Tale of Two Cities"

As most of you know, Clay attended the first night of the musical "A Tale of Two Cities" Thursday night, and CDD posted pictures from WENN Photos.

And, just as we had hoped, there are more pictures to share with you today. And a great minute-long video at broadway.tv!! Check it out there. Look above to see 4 screen caps made from the video.

And now for the pictures...These first picture was at the theatermania website:


(© Joseph Marzullo/WENN)

The following four pictures can be found at contactmusic.com:




We'll keep our eye out for more photos and post them right here at CDD if we find them.