Clay Aiken on Spamalot, stage fright and sequels
Posted by Lorrie LynchCan you think of any better revenge on that high school musical director who cut you from the cast than to end up in a hit Broadway show? I can't. And that's just what has happened for Clay Aiken — the Broadway part, not the revenge, necessarily. He got cut from the musical when in high school in Raleigh, N.C. and next month he'll make his Broadway debut.
I just got off the phone with Clay, who was so full of energy and good conversation, he was better than a cup of coffee to jump start my afternoon. He was happy to answer questions from Blog readers, though there was not time to do them all. Thanks for sending them, everyone. You are informed followers indeed.
The American Idol alum, who is in Cleveland today, confessed that he was talking to me while he was still in his pajamas; he was waiting backstage to do the sound check before the show there tonight. He'll go to Minneapolis for three days, then Omaha and Chicago before he leaves with UNICEF to work in Mexico for the holidays.
He says he won't even have time to think about Spamalot until Jan. 2 and he has not ever seen the movie, Sylvie. In fact, he only saw the show a year ago. "The first time I saw it, I thought, 'This is stupid.' It was lost on me." But about six months later, on a second viewing, he saw that it is "irreverant, silly, silly, silly and it's all it's supposed to be. I laughed so hard. It's the funniest show in New York." He IS a little worried about the dancing, or as he put it, "God help us with the dancing part." He'll have just about two weeks to learn it before his debut on Jan. 18. And he's curious about what it will be like to do eight shows a week all in the same place. Spamalot, he says, "is the closest to a 9 to 5 job I've ever had in my life." And, Lissa, it sounds like he'll work on the new album primarily after the show is wrapped up in May.
Clay does not experience stage fright but he did remember for me that the last time he had it was the first week he was on American Idol. As for what other musical or play he might like to do someday, there seems to be no question - Huck Finn in Big River. He recalls seeing that musical in Raleigh when he was very young and realizing "Oh wow. These people are making a living singing. It seemed more attainable." The cool part of that story is, the young actor playing Huck that day that Clay saw it, was Martin Moran. And it is Moran, currently playing Sir Robin in Spamalot, who Clay will replace.
I asked about writing a sequel to his book Learning to Sing, and at first he laughed about it being called Learn to Shut Up. But Clay says he doesn't see a sequel. He says the first book felt right because he had so many experiences to share that might benefit someone else. Though he's grown much and "there would be a lot to get in" he doesn't see how it would benefit anyone else.
I did get to ask how he relaxes, wondering if he had a hobby or sport. But Clay says the best way for him to relax is to be alone. He likes staying on the tour bus when everyone else is gone, or just going to the mall by himself. He says he recharges best by himself. No doubt he is going to love New York.
Comments (60)
What happened to Emeril Lagasse's cooking show?
Whatever happened to Barbara Mandrel? She was supposed to be in a movie I thought after she quit singing. She was a wonderful country singer.
Thank you
What happened to Breaking Bad? Also where is Don Johnson and what does he look like now?
Great job!!!
Thank you very much for considered our questions!
Thank you for the great article.
Good Job!
Thanks for that great article. I wish I lived in America and could see him in Spamalot. I'm sure he'll do a wonderful job. Maybe, if we're lucky, we'll get to see a snippet of it on a TV show some time.
I would like for you to ask Clay what sound is going for on the next CD. I would love to hear a little R&B or more songs like invisible. You sing it so well. My god childen love invisible and will get very excited when they here it. As one sister did to the other, "HERE IS OUR SONG".
loved your interview. It was fun and informative.
what is michael t weiss doing?
what is michael t weiss doing?
what is paul gross of tv's due south doing?
what is paul gross of tv's due south doing?
Clay is the epitome of the whole package! Ne is beyond multitalented, a HUGE heart, truly the STAR of the world' children! GOD Bless you always Clay Aiken wherever you may roam, Whatever you will undertake. From all the fandom we know 110 percent, you'll be great in SPAMALOT! Can't wait to see you in April. What a blessed b-day present it would be!!
I'm a big fan of the Dog Whisperer. Is there a charge for him to come to your house to train your bad dogs?
Helene B. Miller
Brick,NJ
Thanks so much for the excellent interesting article, Lorrie and Kathy.
Loved your "he's better than a cup of coffee". How true that is! He has more energy than anyone I know. He is such a fun and talented and all around GREAT ENTERTAINER! He's absolutely hilarious!
Also...loved the idea of the book sequel...."Learning How to Shut Up" Sounds exactly like Clay!
Thanks again for your well-informed article.
Loved your article - love Clay Aiken!!! Best voice I have ever heard!! Also is so entertaining and funny on stage! He is so intelligent - just love to hear him in interviews!!
I hope you'll have a chance to ask him about his UNICEF trip to the disaster zone in Mexico over Christmas week.
Thanks for a great article, Lorrie. Clay is a wonderful guy -- funny, charming, smart -- and he has the most wonderful voice I've ever heard. He is a man of character, as well. He needs more articles likes yours.
Clay fans,
I'm putting together an item on Clay's debut in Spamalot for the print magazine (to run on Jan. 20) and would love to have a reader question to put with it because so many readers keep track of him.
Will one of you allow me to use your name, city and state on a question that would ask - How did Clay Aiken get the role in Spamalot on Broadway?
He answered that in our talk and I'll use that for the print column.
Because the posts don't show that I'll need you to leave it in the body of the post OR, send it to whosnews@usaweekend.com.
Thanks all.
Lorrie
Thanks for the great article. And REALLY thanks for the info on UNICEF. I am going to be in Mexico last of this month on a mission trip with my church. Would it be awful to pray that just maybe our paths would cross?
Thank you this was great if he did write a book learn to shut up i would laugh the whole time b/c of the title
Thank you this was great if he did write a book learn to shut up i would laugh the whole time b/c of the title
Thanks for a positive article. I know he will be great in Spamalot. I hope he doesn't "Learn To Shut Up" because we all need to continue hearing that beautiful voice.
Thanks so much for such a good spirited interview with Clay. He is a super person and roll model, and people need to hear the good - your article said it loud and clear! Thanks again
WHAT A WONDERFUL CONCEPT - WRITING AN ACCURATE REVIEW ABOUT A SUPER TALENTED GUY!! THANK YOU!