AIKEN NEWS NETWORK OCTOBER 19

[clayMaine-iac]

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 (unless they read it in the random post comments, where it appeared before this), 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.

Director Mike Nichols had some lavish compliments for his new actor: "Clay Aiken is amazing beyond that glorious voice," Nichols said. "Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character."

Also, if not amazing, quite interesting how many Idols have taken the Broadway or stage route: Off the top of my head, Fantasia, Diana, Frenchie, Vanessa Olivarez, the finalist formerly known as La Toya and now just plain London. I am quite confident you can add many more names to that short list.

USATODAYBLOG

[clayMaine-iac]

Clickable

[clayMaine-iac]

Clay Aiken to join 'Spamalot' cast
BY JOE DZIEMIANOWICZ
Wednesday, October 17th 2007, 4:12 PM


       From tour-a-lot to "Spamalot."

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.

Aiken, 28, said the chance to work with both of those men was "a reason to jump at this opportunity."

"Clay Aiken is amazing beyond that glorious voice," said Nichols. "Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character. People will be surprised by his wide-ranging talent."

"Claymates," the name for Aiken's rabid fans, may also be astonished to see their favorite shaggy-haired singer in a blond pageboy and knee-length tunic - the getup Robin sports in the musical spoof about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and the quest for the Holy Grail.

"The producers and creative folks I have had the chance to meet and work with so far have been unbelievably welcoming and wonderful," added Aiken, who has sold millions of records since competing on "Idol" in 2003.

"They've really made me feel at home already, and I haven't even started yet."

"Spamalot" isn't the first show to capitalize on Aiken's fame and fan base.

He was the focus of the Off-Broadway show "Idol: The Musical," which opened and closed on the same day last August.

Aiken joins a growing roster of "Idol" alums plucked by Broadway: Fantasia is now starring as Celie in "The Color Purple" and Tamyra Gray is currently playing Mimi in "Rent."

NYDAILYNEWS

[clayMaine-iac]

Clay Aiken is the latest Idol alum giving his regards to Broadway.

The singer—and presumed shrubbery aficionado—will join the cast of Monty Python's Spamalot on Jan 18, playing the role of 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," Aiken said in a statement.

"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."

Aiken is slated to stay with the production through May 4.

"Clay Aiken is amazing beyond that glorious voice," Nichols said. "Turns out, he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character."

The musical's book is by Idle, a member of the original Python gang, and its score is by Idle and John DuPrez.

Sir Robin (full title: Sir Robin the Not-Quite-So-Brave-as-Sir-Lancelot) is the most chicken-hearted of the Round Table crew, whose real aspirations is not finding the Holy Grail but singing show tunes.

EONLINE

[clayMaine-iac]

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.
 Tickets are available at www.telecharge.com.
 The thoroughly irreverent "Spamalot" has a book written by Python member Eric Idle that was "lovingly ripped-off" from the screenplay of the cult favorite, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail."
 The film, which hilariously details King Arthur's quest for the Holy Grail, was written by and starred all six Pythons - Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Idle, Terry Jones and Michael Palin.

POLLSTAR

[paclayfan]

 Here is a youtube showing the inside of the Shubert (from the CH)

http://youtube.com/watch?v=cFhla77q2_4

[clayMaine-iac]

Sales update:

Clay holds at 200 and has sold 518,000.

USATODAYBLOG

[clayMaine-iac]

Celebrity xRank

170  Clay Aiken

SEARCHLIVE

Deanna!!

[clayMaine-iac]

 

SPAMALOT TICKETS

Spamlot is a very frequent show!!

[NCSandhillsDeb]

Good morning everyone!!!!!

Thanks for the news Deanna.  Wow, the Shubert Theatre is intimate, just printed out our tickets this morning.   

Debbie

[clayniac4ver]

i know that clay aiken will do great in the play of Spamalot

GO CLAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

alyse