Broadway.com: Spamalot "a good match" for Aiken

Broadway.com caught up recently with Clay, in his third week of performances on Broadway's Spamalot. The 3 page interview has Clay talking about his role as Sir Robin, as well as providing some new insight into how radio is not influencing the production of his 3rd mainstream album, currently on track for a May release.

Here is a preview of the article... make sure you read the entire article at Broadway.com.

Everybody knows that Clay Aiken can sing, but—surprise!—he can also hold his own on a Broadway stage. To be more precise, he can hula, ogle scantily clad girls, discuss flying coconuts in a British accent, pretend to poop in his tunic, do a Cossack-style line dance and perform a lightning-fast patter song ("You won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews") without dropping a syllable. As Sir Robin in Spamalot, the 29-year-old American Idol runner-up appears perfectly at ease in the world of Monty Python—which, he recently claimed, he thought was a person until he saw the show.

The truth is, Clay is smart guy who knows what works for him, and he was shrewd enough to realize that Spamalot, in its own nutty way, would be a good match for his talents and his sunny sensibility.

How did you feel after your first Broadway performance?
I thought, "Well, thank god that's over!" [Laughs.] A lot of people had asked me if I was nervous, and I didn't know the appropriate response. I really wasn't. I don't know if that's bad—to not be nervous. Yeah, it was the first time I was doing this, but the audience thing doesn't freak me out that much. I figured I was going to screw up at some point, so there's no reason to be nervous about wondering when [laughs]. It was actually somewhat relaxing, because the rehearsals are sooo grueling. It's not just the schedule, it's all the information and learning "this that, this that, this that, this that." Having the opportunity to go out and do everything you learned was kind of refreshing and kind of nice.

Is it fun to sing the show's politically incorrect song about Broadway shows needing Jews to be a success?
You know, I'm kind of politically incorrect myself. I do worry sometimes, because it's a very fine line between humor and anti-Semitism, so I'm very careful as to how I say it. It's interesting, though—the first time I saw the show, I remember that being the song I laughed the hardest at. Every time I've seen it, it always gets the biggest laugh. I don't know that I'm doing it justice because I can't really get the audience's reaction. I'll watch other people's scenes and listen to the audience laughing and enjoying themselves, but in mine, I can't hear the audience for the amount of breathing that's going on in my ear [laughs].

What are you enjoying most about being on Broadway?
I love the people I work with. I really enjoy getting there [to the theater] and talking to them and listening to what goes on backstage. It's kind of nice to have a big group of people to work with as opposed to being by yourself [doing concerts]. I've only been doing this for three weeks, so it's still new.

How do you see your career progressing? Will you continue to do covers or record new music?
We did the cover thing last time; it's not a goal to do that again right now. Our next album is going to be all new stuff. That's kind of what I wanted to do last time and we took a detour. We're in the process of working on it. There's not horribly much to say about the next album, but we're hoping it's out in May.

Where are you on the spectrum of, say, a singer like Michael Buble vs. the kind of pop music they play on a top-40 station?
I'm not going to compare myself to anybody. I don't know that I want to be on the spectrum. I don't plan to be on the radio. I'm not cool enough to be on radio. I'm still dorky and not relevant enough to some people to be on radio, and it's not a goal of mine. We've got this amazing producer who's going to do the entire album, and one of the challenges for him has been not worrying about radio, because he's been so attuned to trying to make hits. We're like, "Uhhh, nooo," because once you try to cater to the radio stations, you stop catering to (a) the listener and (b) me. I was discussing this very thing with my executive producers the other day and we said, if you try to make the music fit what you think radio is going to want, you're going to miss the mark. But if we just go out and do what we do well, then it's going to be natural and maybe radio will like it. It's not something that I'm averse to; I would absolutely love it if it happens, but it's not something to work toward at the expense of doing what we want to do.

Target.com Lists New CD

Target.com is now also listing Clay's new album, scheduled for release this spring. There is not much information there for now and pre-orders are not currently being accepted, although we hope that will change SOON!

AmericanIdol.com Poll - Which Idol should get their own TV special?

AmericanIdol.com is asking "Who would you like to see in their own TV special?". Clay is one of the choices.

Vote at AmericanIdol.com.

Tidbits 2/10

• Clay was flashed today on CNN's news ticker, which runs across the bottom of their screen - "Clay Aiken on his role in Spamalot...I'm so sore I couldn't even get off the toilet the other day."
  
• Toronto Star - Clay's comment to New York Magazine gets the tabloid treatment -

  Us Weekly - This week in thank God for small mercies: Clay Aiken has shut off his sex drive.

• INEMA.com.br - Suzie McNeil article - "She is featured singing duets on American Idol finalist Clay Aiken’s fall release; “A Thousand Different Ways”."

• Carolina On My Mind - Valentine's week in the Clay nation!
  

What's Hot From Spamalot 2/10

Its a cold and windy day in New York, so much so, that for the first time Clay was not able to come out and sign autographs. But in spite of the frigid temps, we still have some hot stuff from Spamalot.

• Here is a great video made by MDClayAddict of Clay signing autographs the night of January 26. You can also download the video at Viddler.
  
  
  
  
• Lots of fans are taking some great pictures of Clay at the stage door. Here are a few really good closeups taken by jax5230 at The Clayboard (check them out at the Clayaboard thread for a look at some nice big pics!):
  
  
  
  
• We've got a review from Livelong Carol at CDB (courtesy of The Clayboard). She is one of the lucky people who was in the seat where the grail was!

  LivelongCarol at CDB writes:
  Can you believe it? I went to Spamalot for the second time in a week today and it was my lucky day. I had the lucky seat; seat #C101! During the play when they are looking for the holy grail, the King sends a peasant to find the grail in the audience. He said "its seat C101." The peasant came into the audience to where I was sitting and said "Stand up, please". He somehow planted the cup on my seat and said, "Oh look, here it is." Someone from the stage (it might have been Clay) said, "We should reward her, bring her up here". Holy crap, I felt my knees shake and my insides jump around, but somehow I managed through it all. In the first row was Sandy (ItsAClayDay) and Donna (ThankYouClay). I was so happy to see them, they encouraged me to go up. The peasant helped me up to the stage and they asked me my name. They all repeated it (including Clay) and sang a song to me. That is where I had the thrill of a lifetime....Clay sang to me on bended knee. I only looked at him briefly since looking into those green eyes can be overwhelming. I was soooo nervous, I just kept looking around. They gave me a trophy and a certificate and then took a picture of us all with Clay kneeling down in front of me. Clay handed me the picture and I thanked him in the way that he says thank you at the end of a concert..in sign language when he touches his chin with his fingertips. I was then wisked off stage.
  
  Funny thing is, lots of people came up to me in the lobby when I was leaving and congratulated me. Outside, near the stage door, someone asked me for my autograph and a picture!! LOLOLOL My sister and I went into the restaurant across the street (Junior's) and some more people came over to the table and said "Aren't you the lady who was on stage with Clay?" That struck me so funny that people would do that. Also, Clay didn't come out today to sign autographs, since it was bitter cold and very windy. The security people said they were afraid the wind would blow over the barriers and hurt someone.
  
  Oh and the play? It was wonderful, again. Dear Lord, this experience leaves you so joyful and upbeat upon leaving the theatre. Its that funny! Lots of NJU there today. They were very enthusiastic and cheered loud and long for Clay. Our boyfriend is going places folks, just you wait and see! I can't urge you enough to try to get to see this play. If there is any way you can manage it, please do it. You will never regret one thing about it.

  Here's a funny and short video of Clay "immitating" one of his fans. You can find it at YouTube.
  
  

What's Hot From Spamalot 2/09

Some fun stuff for you today here at What's Hot from Spamalot.

• First, here's a great review from ClaysFayevorite at The Clayboard:

  ...She and Claylily unexpectedly happened upon some FRONT ROW seats this week so they headed to NYC for the day. They were all excited about the new Clay shirt, button, and rectangular magnet with the shirt picture on it. She said the theater was full, as far back as she could see into the balcony, mostly NJU, lots of men. The woman next to her was not a fan, had not seen Clay since AI, but was very impressed with his performance. She had seem Spamalot before Clay's run began and seem to like his performance better. They thought Clay was again very animated, so much more so than when he began the show. Sitting on the floor (at Camelot) he was rocking out, stamping his feet, really into it and enjoying himself. When the CanCan dancer comes up behind him, just before "RunAway", he let out a loud "Whoop!" Right after "...I have to push the pram alot" , when the girls come out of the prams, he said "Come to Daddy, Baby!" She said during the guard scene, right after " ifififummm, ifififififummm.." he kept "puffing" his lips out. She said Tom (Prince Herbert) was very funny in the castle scene. He kept making faces until Lancelot cracked up and couln't deliver his lines. They were disappointed that Hannah wasn't there again. At the curtain call he was all over the place, once again, hopping, jumping up and down, just rockin'! The Knights of Ni sang "Rehab". At the stage door he was wearing blue sweat pants with a white stripe and a very bright green hoodie. She said even though the theater was filled, there were not as many people at the stage door ( guessed it was because it was mostly NJU in the theater). Oh, she did say that Clay got a wonderful reception from the mostly NJU crowd (EEE!!!) He told them at the stage door that he would sign one thing for each person. She couldn't tell if the person in C101 who was called to the stage was a fan or not, she seemed to freeze when Clay tried to give her the picture and he had to prompt her to "take it, take it". He didn't shake her hand.

• A couple of days ago, Clay introduced us to his "Dresser". Yep, that caused some commotion! And he did after all tell us to "spread the word" on the boards! Well, thanks to dardar1126 at the CB, here are a couple of great articles about "dressers", the people who help the cast change into their various outfits. Not the glamorous job you might think it is!
  
  The Dresser, By Peter Filichia - Here's an excerpt:

  As for the job itself, Fleming reports that some actors are neat and take off their costumes very carefully, but others carelessly leave them inside out or with a shoe stuck up a pant leg. "Sometimes that's because of the ferocity and quickness of their changes," he admits, "but sometimes it's the actor's temperament. Most of the time, though, they take off their things nicely, so I have time to fold them, put them in the basket, take them downstairs and hang them up."
  
  The fastest change he's ever had to do? "Jekyll & Hyde on the road," he moans. "Twenty seconds to get Philip Hoffman from a suit into a tuxedo. The tux was rigged," he confesses, "hooked together with sewn-together pants attached to the vest, and under the vest was a fake shirt. Most of the time, audiences actually see a real suit, unless something has to happen quickly. That's when we cut things apart." Velcro is not used as much as we might think -- "because it makes a loud ripping sound we wouldn't want the audience to hear."

  Meet The Dresser by David Finkle - Another excerpt:

  But real-life dressers abound on Broadway, and it's far from a glamorous job. These people work arduously in obscurity for a union rate (Local 764 in Manhattan) of $92 per show....At this point, Lugo dresses four of the women in the ensemble and assists on one other change, following what he and his colleagues know as "tracks." He explains that, "Backstage, everything is tracked from point A to point B to point C, like a train line. Your track is your physical movement backstage. You do a pre-set of a costume, and you know you then have to dress an actor for a quick change stage right. Then you have to help with a quick change stage left, and then you may have another change in the basement. We create areas in the theater where people can go to with a minimum of fuss."

• Windstar2 from The Clayboard remembered a hilarious line from one of the first shows back in January. You'll enjoy this!

  It was during the scene where Prince Herbert, Lancelot and Prince Herbert's dad are all up in Prince Herbert's room. Lancelot has just come to "rescue" what he thought was a damsel in distress but finds Herbert ... all dressed for his wedding. (White gown and pink slippers ... LOL!) Prince Herbert's dad is questioning Lancelot for killing his guards and some wedding guest (father of the bride and hurting the bride herself) and Prince Herbert tells Lancelot not to worry about his dad cause he has a rope to escape on. Prince Herbert throws the rope over the edge of the balcony and proceeds to climb over. Lancelot and Prince Herbert's dad keep talking about the fighting. Prince Herbert pops his head back up and tells Lancelot to hurry, or something, and then Prince Herbert's dad goes toward the rope, takes his knife out and cuts the rope and Prince Herbert falls. On this one performance, as Prince Herbert's dad is walking over to cut the rope, he said, "This Meet and Greet has gone on long enough." This either was said at the Saturday night performance on 1-26-08 or the Sunday afternoon performance on 1-27-08.

  By the way, for everyone's information, a Clay Aiken meet and greet NEVER goes on long enough!!
  
  
• Here's another review, this one from Claygal at The Clayboard:

  Spamalot cast rocked again, especially Sir Robin! Seeing the show from the last row in the orchestra, Row S, #109, had direct view of the stage and what's amazing is that I could even see all the foot work (for a short person). Clay was definitely on a "high" and he's projecting his lines with greater confidence than when I saw him during the opening night performances. Orchestra was packed with great audience response to just about every scene. Could hear some fans reaction to my right also. The loudest audience reaction I heard during his performances was when he started up with the "Bottle Dance". Timing was perfect! The lady sitting next to me was very familiar with Monty Phthon as she used to be a big fan she said in her teenage years. She recognized him during the idol days, so the line when he's introducing himself to the audience was very meaningful! Entering the theater took exceptionally long and people were still getting to their seats as the show opened. One guy passing us in line outdoors yelled out his approval with thumbs up for "Great Show"! Nice, good sized crowd at the stage door tonight and what was so exciting is that I finally got close enough to see him and get my progam signed! That's what I'll put in the frame that I purchased from Playbill. He looked good dressed only in his green sweatshirt, no coat. We were very lucky that it hadn't started raining yet as he started from the left side of the stage door where I was standing and by the time he had worked his way to the other side,drops started coming down, so Jerome signaled him to go in. There were still a lot of people standing on that side who were disappointed, but many cameras getting photos of him. I wonder when he actually gets to sleep as he seemed so energized during the finale and was the only one still jumping around as the curtain came down!!.......Merchandise--t shirt is very nice, so got one and there were magnets of the same photo. It just dawned on me that anyone that needs an umbrella could purchase one there exactly like the umbrella number for the song: "Look on the Bright Side of Life"! Signing off from NY Live with Spamalot! I feel invigorated even after having gotten up at 3A.M. Amazing to find a cure for depression! Oh, miss Hannah.

• And one final review, which will prove that one never knows for sure which seat will get picked to go onstage. This review is from Clayinct, also at The CB

  Our seats were row B 101-103, so my daughter Kim sat in 101, hoping she'd get picked to go on stage. Today was her 18th birthday -- so we could hope! There were Claymates and NJU around us. I said hello to Claylily, who was sitting in the first row. The people directly in front of us were also celebrating their son's birthday, so he sat in A101. When the show started I was waiting with baited breath for Clay's first scene -- and I have to say I have never laughed so hard in my life. My face hurt from laughing so much. He did such a good job in all the parts, making his voice sound different for each one. When he had his big number, you could really see the look of determination on his face during the bottle dance. Oh, and you could really hear his "come to daddy" during the Las Vegas type number. That made me really laugh!
  
  My husband's favorite part was when he played Brother Maynard -- I thought he'd never stop laughing! The other two performers I really liked were Patsy and Brother Herbert -- both of them did such good jobs! After the show was over, I let Kim run for the stage door and I joined her as soon as I could get there. She was able to get right up to the railing. Another lady waiting was also celebrating her birthday, and when Clay came out, Kim mentioned that to him, so he said "Happy Birthday" to them. After she got her playbill signed, I gave him the big program to sign and when getting it back, it almost hit Kim in the face and Clay made a comment about here it is your birthday, and you get hit upside the face! -- that made her day....
  
  ....Oh -- and Kim didn't get picked -- it was seat C101. We had warned the couple behind us when they sat down and the women did a great job hamming it up when she got picked. Too bad -- it would have been a great end to Kim's birthday!!

Tidbits 2/9

• RCA press release ... the usual Clay mention:

  RCA Records is home to superstar artists Christina Aguilera, Dave Matthews Band, Foo Fighters, The Strokes, Velvet Revolver, Avril Lavigne, Clay Aiken, Kelly Clarkson, Daughtry, and more. RCA Music Group is part of Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

• Lancaster Eagle Gazette interviews Mandy Wilkins, a Clay Aiken fan and recipient of the prestigious Mary M. Good Humanitarian Award:

  On your nightstand there is a picture of ...
  
  "Clay Aiken with a pink bow. Everyone that knows me, knows my infatuation with him! Someday we will get married."

• Times News - random mention ... "But she did accompany me to the Super Bowl party and sat transfixed. She's a big football fan and I doubt if she'd have gone to the movies with either her celebrity heartthrob (Clay Aiken) or her idol (Miley Cyrus)."

• Nothing here yet
  

What's Hot From Spamalot 2/08

• What's hot today from Spamalot is the new Sir Robin merchandise...a blue t-shirt and a button, both with Sir Robin's picture on them! Thanks to CLAYMELIA2 at The Clayboard, we have pictures of both items:
  
  
  
  T-shirts are $25 and buttons are $5. Something tells me they are gonna sell like hotcakes!!
  
  Here's a great review for us about Friday night's show:
  
  
• From Pink Armchair at the CH:

  Nice full house tonight, and the general mood, it seemed to me, was much lighter and funnier, and the actors were a bit sillier. During the "Knights Who Say Ni" scene, the song they sang had something to do with Amy Winehouse and cocaine. And the Lady of the Lake inserted Posh Spice into her "diva" song, followed by their lyric "tell me what you want, what you really really want." And during the finale, Clay was hopping and skipping and jumping, with a big loony grin on his face. Very funny stuff!....
  
  ....Clay was just marvelous. He's seeming more comfortable all the time, and I thought his big number was hilarious. I really hope we get to see Hannah Waddingham tomorrow...I'm finding her replacement a bit (sorry to say this) underwhelming.
  
  Big crowd at the stage door tonight...Clay was very funny. When he first came out, a bunch of fans were gathered around Tom Deckman out in the alley and Rick Holmes (Lancelot) was still at the other end of the row, signing autographs for some squealing fangirls. Clay was jokingly dragging a pretty blonde dancer along with him, who laughingly fought him off and left in a hurry, giggling. Clay seemed very relaxed and in a good mood, and signed everything we put in front of him.

• Here's another review from d4kkkks at The Clayboard:

  The audience is almost the same as the other night. At the backstage door, group of excited teenagers added and Clay just play along with them while they are all shrieking while Clay is giving autographs. Usually I saw mostly groupie fans like me and now they are young generations screaming to Clay. I am so proud and happy while watching them.
  
  Clay really knows how to make you come back. He is really into every character he is portraying. Each day is different. I extended my Thursday show tonight and I am having a second thought of watching him again tomorrow during matinee show before leaving for work at night. He is really very entertaining. I can't get enough of him. I enjoy his facial animation and dancing most. I am so happy to see the audience positive reactions from fans and NJU. I am all the way back of the orchestra and laughing hysterically but no sound because I like to hear the audience reaction. At the end of the show I didn't realize Jerome is along behind me watching too.
  
  I did a little things to make Clay signing easier for him. And he said, " I like it! You came prepared". I just smile and said "Thank you". I was in front of him but I saw un umbrella of hands above me reaching for Clay' autographs. I saw Clay back up a little and said something funny before he autograph my Spamalot T-shirt. I walkathon to Port Authority to catch my 11pm Bus. What another wonderful night with Clay.

• From a blog called NYCLuvsNYC comes the following stage door pictures with this caption:

  Joining the list of American Idol alumni who become Broadway performers is recording-artist, CLAY AIKEN. He made his Broadway debut as Sir Robin in Monty Python's SPAMALOT at the Shubert Theatre (225 West 44th Street). He will be with the production through May 4, 2008. I made pictures of Mr. Aiken signing autographs for his enthusiastic fans at the stagedoor of the Shubert Theatre after this evening's performance.

  
  

Signed "Sir Robin" Broadway Bear On The Auction Block

A Sir Robin "Broadway Bear" is on the auction block at Broadway Cares. The bear is signed by Clay and his Spamalot predecessor David Hyde Pierce.

Sir Robin

SPAMALOT
2005
Signed by: David Hyde Pierce, Clay Aiken
Sir Robin ("not quite as brave as Sir Lancelot"...) has finally found his niche as Knight of the Round Table - and Vicious Chicken Slayer! One must put up quite the noble fight stalking one's quarry in a hen house, as you can see by his bear counterpart's disheveled hair and sullied tunic. Sir Robin wears all that really tough stuff that every knight must have. The absolutely authentic looking "metal mesh" is actually a painted knit. Those dandy shoulder and elbow guards are painted leather stretched over a thermo-plastic base, studded with metal grommets. His boots were formed with heavy paper, covered with painted leather. The belt is painted ribbon and lace on a leather base. The cotton tunic is hand-painted. And of course there's no part of his raiment that hasn't been lovingly crafted. Well... except for those Abracadabra Superstore chickens. Squeeze their bellies—hear them squawk and set loose those eggs... Only from the mind of Monty Python!

ORIGINAL DESIGNER: TIM HATLEY
BROADWAY BEAR CREATED BY: BRIONNA McMAHON

Signed by: David Hyde Pierce and Clay Aiken

2005

The auction is open to "pre-bidding" until February 16, and the current bid is $1000. All proceeds go to Broadway Cares' campaign to fight AIDS.

Tidbits 2/8

InStyle - Clay Aiken's American Idol transformation -

American Idol Transformations
Clay Aiken
"We have a lot of people on the show, towards the latter part, to help contestants with their style and image," says Cowell. Aiken was one who was subject to such help, getting a makeover of spiky hair that became his signature look on the show. Nowadays, the 29-year-old from North Carolina has grown out his hair and bangs, and filled out his lanky figure.

• Toronto Star quotes Clay from Learning to Sing:

  "The only reason people go to bars is to get drunk and have sex. To me, bars are what hell is like."
  CLAY AIKEN

• More American Idol mentions today:
• Hollyscoop - "Winners should be able to spend the day in Clay Aiken's dressing room, or win a free Sanjaya haircut. "
• The News Tribune - "Hey, Paula! If you’re not interested in the soupy musings of Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Blake Lewis and other top (or near-the-top) Idols, at least check out the foreword by colorful show judge Paula Abdul."
• 411 Mania -

  -Bad street, Atlanta, GA. Baddest street in the whole USA.
  It's the last of the five stops on the American Idol 2007 Audition Tour, taking place in Atlanta, Georgia. It's actually the shows 3rd visit to Hotlanta, the city we have to blame for Clay Aiken.
  

• New York Daily News - "Winning the TMI Award this week is ... Clay Aiken, for saying, "I've just kind of shut [my sex drive] off, maybe. Is that bad?" No, what's bad is you flapping your mouth about it."

• Carolina On My Mind - Clay nation introduced to Clay's Spamalot dresser -

  Clay Intros 'Spamalot' Dresser
  
  At the post show stage door gathering after Wednesday's performance of "Spamalot," fans got a little more than autographed playbills, pictures, and video from Clay Aiken when he introduced "the lady who takes my pants on an off."
  
  According to Morganette, Clay entered Shubert Alley with his arm around a red-headed gal, introduced her as his dresser, and suggested they pass the word to the message boards all over the Internet.

Claymates Show Up at GMA With Clay Aiken Signs

Claymates were spotted this morning on ABC's Good Morning America in New York, armed with signs that proclaimed: "OH WHAT A KNIGHT and I'm here to see Clay Aiken".

No news on whether Clay is scheduled to make an appearance on GMA, which is co-hosted by Diane Sawyer, wife of Mike Nichols - the director of Spamalot.

Washington Square Article Discusses Big Names on Broadway, Including Clay

The Washington Square's reporter, Linnea Bloomquist, in her article They've Got Big Names on Broadway? Big Deal, does not seem impressed with Broadway using big name celebrities in their musicals. However, in discussing the musicals and celebrities, they did one thing I liked...they included Clay Aiken as one of their big names!

For whatever reason, there are people who seem to think that Broadway is a step down from Hollywood or the music industry. Not sure why, though, because this is really just another avenue for showing the amazing talent of some very talented people, including Clay.

This article talks of "stunt casting", which is casting A and B list stars to raise ticket sales in a musical that would possibly otherwise die. In mentioning the many talented stars who have had success on Broadway and have breathed life into a show that would possibly not have continued to survive, this article to me is spotlighting the extreme talent and versatility of these stars. Clay, for example, has already shown that he is a great singer and comedian. Now, he is showing his natural acting abilities. And this, they would call "stunt casting"? I would call it instead "inspired casting" or "smart casting"! Just like Hollywood, why wouldn't Broadway want the best they can get to continue to draw the crowds?

Note what this article says about Clay:

And how is Clay Aiken's Broadway debut going? He will go on as brave Sir Robin eight times a week until May 4, and though his reviews have been surprisingly good, his presence alone will not make or break "Spamalot." The Monty Python musical has consistently played to full houses and will certainly persevere for several years to come, with or without stunt casting. Aiken is one example of stunt casting that was intended not to salvage a floundering production but to boost already steady ticket sales.

The reporter says Clay is surprisingly good. Many people have been very pleasantly surprised at Clay's acting and comedic ability. The "surprise" part will soon go away as more people see the many talents that he has. Then maybe the idea of stunt casting stars will be a thing of the past, and the idea of "casting the most talented" will take its place as the norm.

Check out the comments after the article. I was pleasantly surprised myself to read some really great comments from people who appear not to be Clay fans.

What's Hot From Spamalot 2/7

As long as Clay is starring in Spamalot, there will always be something hot to report. Let's see what sizzling news we have from February 7.

Clay has a message for all his fans. He introduced his "dresser", Shannon, and he says he wants it out on the internet that she helped him in and out of his clothes!! Okclayhoman at The Clayboard puts it this way:

At the stage door, Clay came out with his arm around a redheaded girl, and introduced her to the crowd, and said, "she's the one that helps me get my pants on and off." It was really cute!

What a big tease he is, and I'll bet he got on the message boards and was doubled over laughing at all of us as we spread the news!! Here's some pictures of Clay and Shannon as he tells everyone the news!

Tidbits 2/7

Clay wins another Insider poll on Feb. 6, 2008.

• The Patriot News - Clay Aiken generates buzz for Spamalot -

  A touring production of popular musical "Monty Python's Spamalot" arrives at Hershey Theatre tonight for a five-day run.
  
  But the big buzz for this show is back on Broadway, where "American Idol" heartthrob Clay Aiken recently was picked to take over the role of Robin Hood.
  

• American Idol mentions
• iVillage - "“They call me the black Clay Aiken,” proclaimed Raysharde Henderson. Need I say more? I couldn’t even do it justice."
• This Is North Scotland -

  It's the city that previous American Idol winner Fantasia Barrino, Dreamgirls' Jennifer Hudson and finalist Clay Aiken auditioned in, so the Idol judges obviously had high expectations for Atlanta.

• TV Envy -

  The American Idol machine stopped in Atlanta, the very last city on the tour, perhaps in hopes of finding another Carrie Underwood, Clay Aiken or Jennifer Hudson.

• Extra -

  As for Clay Aiken, who's currently starring in "Spamalot" on Broadway, Simon seems rather satisfied that the season two runner-up ended up exactly where he predicted.
  
  "[He is] very at home," Simon huffed.
  

• Huntsville Times - article about songwriter who has written for Clay -

  Burr, who performed with Pure Prairie League, has more than 20 ASCAP Awards and has in the past been named Songwriter of the Year by the Nashville Songwriter's Association, ASCAP and Billboard. He has written songs for singers Clay Aiken, Michael Bolton, Ricky Martin and Kelly Clarkson, and performs with Ringo Starr and Carole King.

• Vancouver Province - Suzie McNeil finding her own success, after duetting with Clay on ATDW - "duetted with American Idol's Clay Aiken"

• Nothing here today
  

What's Hot From Spamalot 2/6

I've noticed that now, on an almost daily basis, there is lots of news and tidbits to be found online from the fans who are attending Spamalot. So, for the next few months, when there is something awesome to report (as if there ever won't be), we'll include those items here in What's Hot From Spamalot. Bigger Spamalot stories will have their own article. So, here goes Edition 1 of What's Hot From Spamalot!

From The Clay Board Spamalot Week 3 Thread

• From Clayngel - Clayngel is one of the lucky ones who got to go onstage during Spamalot because the grail was in her seat! The picture taken with her onstage is at the beginning of our column above. She said about this experience that it was:

  ...one of the most memorable and special moments ever...I am surprised I didn't pass out when I got to go up there because I was shaking so badly. But it was amazing...I stared into those green eyes and just watched him singing to me. I'm still in an Aiken-fog and don't remember the whole thing...

• From katymom at CV

  News from Spamalot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Clayoradoan called and they're selling Clay Spamalot buttons tonight and hopefully tomorrow there will be tshirts. It's quite full and it seems to be primarily NJU's...He's doing great and fits in totally. The LOTL is the same as last night, so Hannah is not yet back.

• From Morganette at the CH:

  Just got back to the hotel from the show and I'll try to do a little recap....
  
  I see it's already been reported about Shannon.....At the stage door, Clay came out with his arm around a redheaded girl, and introduced her to the crowd, and said, "she's the one that helps me get my pants on and off." It was really cute! And Jerome wasn't there, but another guy was.
  
  Clay was wearing the light blue Carolina hoody and looked great.
  
  I bought one of the buttons, they're really nice. Bought a tee shirt too that says "I'm not dead yet". I asked if they were going to have tee shirts with Clay on them, and she said they hope to get Clay shirts in tomorrow, but she didn't know if there'd be a picture of him on them, she said something about a shield. I hope the Clay items will all become available online.
  
  The place was packed again, it really looked like it might have been sold out. The view from the second row is NICE!! And it's interesting how you can see right down into the orchestra pit!
  
  The crowd seemed more enthusiastic than last night, not near as many kids there and more Clay fans, it sounded like. I was talking to a lady in line while waiting to get in, and she commented she wasn't a Monty Python fan, and she didn't like any of their movies, especially the Holy Grail one. We figured she must have been surprised when she discovered what the play was about! She said she didn't like the Monty Python movie called Blazing Saddles either! Hmmmmm....haha!
  
  I noticed a part that I haven't seen anyone mention yet......During the Camalot scene, when the knight brings out the big Spam towards the audience singing Spam, Spam, Spam, Spam, then Clay goes out to center stage and sings "Lovely spam, wonderful Spam" a couple of times, and another knight has to pull him back as if they think he'll just keep singing......It's very funny!
  
  As the people were exiting the theater, we noticed that pieces of the confetti (they're quite large) that had landed on them were blowing off and flying up into the sky, swirling all around. When they explode the confetti over the audience at the end of the show there's lots of it everywhere. We wondered if they just sweep it up and reuse it each day.
  
  It's much colder here tonight, with more wind. I hope everyone traveling in the snowy areas can make it to NY. I saw in the paper it's supposed to be about 20 degrees colder here tomorrow.
  
  All in all, the show tonight seemed to me like it was a little more "on" than last night, and Clay seemed more relaxed and friendly at the stage door. He was kidding around with Rick Holmes (Lancelot) who was also signing a few autographs, saying that they should just start signing each other's names.
  
  We were a little disappointed that Hannah W. wasn't there again, but the understudy did a nice job.

• From AustenFan:

  That was an absolutely amazing show. Such a live audience. People cracked up. During the guard people people were laughing so hard they almost couldn't breathe. Just all out laughter the whole time. Clay has got to have one of the best 'deadpans' I've ever seen. May come in handy with Shannon getting launched on the shuttle. And the scene afterwards with Lancelot and the dancers had more energy than I've seen in the past. I think they played off the huge response from 'You Won't Succeed'
  
  Important details? The 'raising of the tunic' on the mid to low side. Last week we got rather a high tunic rise. I guess he wanted to give us all a chance to recover.
  
  Non Clay related changes - when Tim the Enchanter described the fierce 'killer rabbit' - instead of saying 'look at him go after that daisy' while the rabbit chewed up a flower - he said 'look at him go after that mushroom' and there was a mushroom on stage instead of the daisy. Why? I ask not such deep and important questions. I just sit back and enjoy.
  
  Some ad-libbing in the C101 scene. And a very lovely lady won. She looked so sweet up there. Clay's first scene in the window was just hysterical. He got a laugh on every line. He was so comfortable with it that he just played with it and got every laugh out of it. The timing with the other actors on stage was so spot on.
  
  Clay got great applause when he appeared in the All For One number. Clay's 'Idol Of Our Age' and yodeling into the super high held note - got huge applause. People laughed big time at that moment.
  
  The audience just erupted for the big number 'You Won't Succeed On Broadway'. They burst into applause even before the Bottle Dance because Clay's inflections and timing was so great. He got laughs for the dialogue part and not just the dancing. So the audience was primed. And when Clay started 'shaking his thing'....they went wild.
  
  Another understudy for Lady Of The Lake. Different woman than the last understudy I saw. While the other understudy had better vocals and much more power (this woman could barely be heard in the duets) - she had much better comic timing and a better feel for the character. She played for laughs and didn't take it too seriously. So I think it worked better. When I was at the stage door a while back Hannah Waddingham (Lady Of The Lake) came out to sign autographs and we were telling her what a great voice she has. She said it was 'knackered' as she wasn't used to doing the two shows on Sunday. They do four shows in two days which is rough. Maybe she's finding that tough to get used to and that's why she's missed some performances.
  
  The Knights of Nid did another rap that ended in 'Stay In School'. Shoutout to Brooklyn in the rap so enjoy all you Brooklyn folk.
  
  You all know about the 'pants remover' by now. And Clay kibbitzed (that Yiddish for joked around with - Clay is gettin down with Jewish culture ya know) - with Rick Holmes who plays Lancelot. He was very gracious in signing autographs. I think you heard about 'signing each others names.
  
  Anyway, just a great night. To quote someone from the crowd, 'Clay, you rock'. And boy did Clay rock out during the dance scenes. I'm seeing abdominal flexiibilty ladies. Shake it baby.

  
  

New Approved Bubel Aiken Fundraiser By Rhode Islanders For Inclusion Awareness

Are you looking for just the right gift to give someone you love for Valentines Day or Easter? Or for their birthday? Or to give them something special just because? You're gonna love the new item that the Beta Alpha Group, Rhode Islanders For Inclusion Awareness, is selling right now.

Just look at this darling bear. Not only is he the exact perfect color of the BAF logo, but look how at home he looks on the "Snuggle Up With Clay Aiken" blanket!!

Cindy at The Clayboard tells us about this fundraiser and the BAF 9" Logo Bear:

They are plush 9 inch, perfect for sitting on your office shelf, on your bedroom dresser, for gift baskets, or you can donate some to a local children's hospital or program for a child's special cuddly friend. The footpads display the message "INCLUSION AWARENESS". Each bear comes with a BAF hangtag. This is the first of 3 editions planned, you'll want all 3 for your collection, and each edition will be different. We only have a limited amount of the first edition, and production on the second edition will begin when these are sold out. BAF will receive $10.00 for each bear sold.

Total cost: $17.00 (incl shipping)
BAF- GETS $10.00
My cost for bear- - $5.50
materials/shipping- $1.50

I take Paypal or checks. Please PM me or email cindyskuce@cox.net to order and I will provide payment information.If using Paypal, there is an additional cost of .53.

It might be a good idea to buy a couple of these, one for you and one for someone you love. I have a feeling they are going to be going, going, gone real soon!! And the thought of every Clay fan not getting one is just, well...unbearable!!

Tidbits 2/6

• TVGuide.com - Clay is listed as #1 Best Male American Idol Audition

  1) Clay Aiken, "Always and Forever" | Watch on YouTube
  Clay looked like the elf from Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, but he sounded like a superstar. The judges didn't know what to make of his dorky style mixed with his insanely good vocals. But they voted him through and Clay went on to sell millions of records. Frighteningly enough, he also became the object of affection for thousands of "Clay-mates."

  Watch Clay's audition at YouTube.
  
  
• Billboard.com - Merry Christmas With Love was #4 on the Top Christian Catalog Album list for the week of December 31, 2007.
• What Not To Sing - An interesting site found by Rainlover at The Clayboard. This is an American Idol database arranged by seasons of songs that each contestant sang. My favorite parts from the Season 2 page are bolded here:

  Through it all, though, Team Turmoil delivered a solid season of performances. Season Two owns the highest average approval rating of any so far, and it's the only one in which each of the Final 12 turned in at least one above-average rated performance. Aiken's 68.5 average rating led the way, with Locke, Studdard, and Trenyce also coming in (deservedly, we'd say) with 4-star averages. Even the four contestants who finished with 2-star figures – Clark, Demato, Grigsby, and Rasmusen – seem to us a slight cut above other seasons' also-rans.
  
  For what it's worth, we consider it a tossup between Studdard's "A Whole New World" and Locke's "New York State Of Mind" as the best of the season. Aiken earns a special achievement award for his twin triumphs in the Final 5; we have a feeling that his 93 average in a multi-song week will stand as the record for a very, very long time.

• American Idol Atlanta auditions brings out the talent. Clay auditioned in Atlanta for AI2 -
  
• Read Express - "'That's something I wish we'd done to Clay Aiken years ago,' Simon says."
• Austin 360 -

  Host Ryan Seacrest points out that three “American Idol” superstars — Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Hudson and Clay Aiken — have been discovered in Atlanta in past years.

• Rocky Mountain News - "Atlanta is no stranger to American Idol success. Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino and Jennifer Hudson all hailed from auditions there."
• Boston Now -

  It's the last of the five stops on the American Idol 2007 Audition Tour, taking place in Michael PS Hayes hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. It's actually the shows 3rd visit to Hotlanta, the city we have to blame for Clay Aiken.

• Curlio -

  American Idol went to Atlanta on their audition tour, trying for yet another success story from the city. That's where they found Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino, and Jennifer Hudson. Ryan Seacrest is also from Atlanta, and his parents showed up at the auditions.

• Reality TV Magazine -

  The American Idol judges made their third trip to Atlanta as part of the American Idol 7 auditions. Atlanta was the audition city for previous American Idol standouts Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino, and Jennifer Hudson.

• MSNBC -

  Joshua Jones also made it through, but probably won’t need to take more than a couple of days off from his job as a glass cutter. Though he sang well, the judges were disturbed by his “demonic” eyes and finally had him sing with his back to them. “It’s something we should have done to Clay Aiken years ago,” Simon said, though he still proved to be Jones’ lone no vote.

• Kennesaw State University's The Sentinel - "Yes, I will grant that Idol has produced some superstars namely- Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood- and if you really want to stretch it, Clay Aiken has had some staying power of his own."
• Access Atlanta - "In its first three seasons, 'Idol' mined plenty of great talent out of the local auditions, including former Norcross resident Tamyra Gray, Clay Aiken and Season 3 winner Fantasia."
  
• Lycos PR - press release for Lycos50 - Clay #6 this week.

• Something That Really Happened - getting tired of American Idol -

  I am a fan of American Idol. I really am. I love to watch new talent get the chance to shine. But, you know, tonight is the third time in the auditions that Simon has made a snide remark about Clay with the other judges laughing. It is really turning me off of American Idol. I am not going to want to watch the program if I have to listen to them slamming Clay Aiken every week.
  

Tiny, Yet Powerful, Clay Mention By An Amazing Man, Steven Rosenhaus

When I first read the following item posted on The Clayboard, I thought, "How nice, a positive Clay mention by a blogger named Steve Rosenhaus". Since I saw that he had written a book called Writing Musical Theater, I decided to see just who Steve Rosenhaus was. Now maybe I'm the only person who has never heard of him. But for those of you like me who don't have a clue who he is, you will be amazed to read about this man whose mention of Clay was simply two short sentences.

First, the item I found on The Clayboard, which was taken from Steven Rosenhaus' Live Journal

Steve Rosenhaus:

Quote:
Yes, I know that because of the book Writing Musical Theater that my co-author Allen Cohen and I are considered experts in musical theater. And I also know that as such there is an expectation to see Broadway, off-Broadway, and off-off-Broadway shows with cynical eyes and ears. But sometimes I just want to be audience, and just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show without thinking about it to any great depth. I can always to do the deep thinking later . . .

Clay Aiken: Yeah, the guy from American Idol, playing Sir Robin, Guard 1, and Brother Maynard. Surprisingly good.

Yeah, that's all he says about Clay - but that's what is so nice about it. He's, I think, the kind of person Clay's looking to reach. And what's really nice is in his blog tags - he doesn't even mention Clay - so he's definitely not looking for hits from the "Claymates". All the more reason to believe he was surpised by how good Clay was.

Be sure to read his complete Live Journal about Spamalot...very interesting!

Now, read about the many musical accomplishments of Steven Rosenhaus, and so see why his short critique of Clay is so powerful, check out his biography at this Sigma Alpha Iota Philanthropies, Inc. web page. Here's a few of his accomplishments:

Yamaha Piano Artist Steven L. Rosenhaus (b. 1952) is respected as a composer, lyricist, arranger, conductor, author, educator, and performer. His concert music has been called "clever, deftly constructed and likable" by The New York Times, and Back Stage magazine has called his music and lyrics for the off-Broadway show Critic "sprightly, upbeat, and in the ballad repertory, simply lovely."...He holds a Ph.D. from NYU, as well as M.A. and B.A. degrees from Queens College, C.U.N.Y.; The book "Writing Musical Theater" by Allen Cohen and Steven L. Rosenhaus is published by Palgrave/Macmillan. William Squier's review for MusicalWriters.Com calls the book an "appealing....practical guide for beginning and journeymen writers....[It is] thorough without being condescending and detailed without being overwhelming." Steven Rosenhaus has received numerous awards and grants from ASCAP, the American Composers Forum, and Meet The Composer, Inc.

After reading that (and check out all of his other accomplishments at the website), I think it is an understatement to say that his short comment, "Clay Aiken: Yeah, the guy from American Idol, playing Sir Robin, Guard 1, and Brother Maynard. Surprisingly good", is an amazing critique!!

OC Register Praises Clay as Spamalot's Sir Robin

The Orange County Register has filed a short review of Clay in Spamalot, and they have nothing but praise for Clay's leading role as Sir Robin:

So how did Clay Aiken fare in “Spamalot”? He stepped into the role of brave Sir Robin on Jan. 18, and I could just imagine the critics rubbing their ratty little paws together in glee. Aiken, with his goofy, self-deprecating persona and Eisenhower-era morals, seemed like easy prey for the snarky New York arts media.

But — surprise! — some of the comments have been quite positive, if a little strange. Check out Ariel Levy’s lengthy, backhandedly complimentary piece in New York magazine here.

Whatever you think of Aiken as a performer, you gotta love his devotion to his audience. That’s him last month, above, braving 19-degree weather to mingle with his ”Spamalot” fans. Would Liev Schreiber or Frank Langella stand out in the cold just to mix and mingle with the hoi polloi? Not when it’s cold enough to freeze the ink in autograph-seekers’ pens.

Tidbits 2/5

• Columbus Ledger Enquirer - American Idol auditions in Atlanta -

  Previous Atlanta auditions for "American Idol" produced Season 3 champ Fantasia Barrino and Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken, bottom. And the host of the show, Ryan Seacrest, is from the metro Atlanta area.
  
  Memorable former Atlanta auditioners include Season 3 champion Fantasia Barrino, and Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken. Host Ryan Seacrest, who was present briefly during the first phase of auditions, is originally from the Atlanta area.

• Clarion Ledger - AI ...

  Viewers are annually treated to American Idol audition videos featuring rejected contestants who falsely believe they are the next Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino or Jennifer Hudson.

• Boston Herald - "Losing on “American Idol” doesn’t mean you can’t wind up a winner. Just ask Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken, Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler."
  
• UWeekly - "Victoria’s Secret put out their “What’s Sexy” list, and it named Ryan Seacrest as having the sexiest smile. Ryan Seacrest sexy? Really? Who else was on the list, Andy Dick and Clay Aiken?"
• Waterloo Record - AI article mentions Kevin Covais, a former AI finalist -

  "At 5-foot-4 and a kind of pale juvenile diabetic, I knew I was no Bo Bice or Constantine Maroulis. Gosh, I wasn't even a Clay Aiken -- which is pretty scary.''
  

• 2Snaps.tv - Newsweek interview -

  Clay Aiken revealed that he has NO sex drive at all (I heard there are drugs to fix that) and that he is still a virgin.
  
  Here is an excerpt from Clay's interview with NY magazine:
  
  He does not plan on dating, and he is not involved with anyone.
  
  “Heck, no,” he says. “My dogs.”
  
  He has never had a romantic relationship with anyone, unless you count the girls he took to dances back in high school in Raleigh.

• Carolina On My Mind - Clay in Spamalot receiving great reviews from fans, critics.