Clay Aiken as Sir Robin
How did we let January 18th pass us by?? Were we too busy with holidays and Inaugural festivities?? How could we forget??? January 18th was an anniversary of sorts.
The audience arrived, the orchetra tuned up and the lights dimmed. Clay Aiken took the stage for the first time on Broadway. Playing the role of Sir Robin, Guard I, and Brother Maynard in the award winning musical, Spamalot, Clay sang, danced and acted……..all at the same time.
Mike Nichols, the director of Spamalot, said about his new star:
“Clay Aiken is amazing beyond that glorious voice. Turns out he is an excellent comic actor and a master of character. People will be surprised by his wide ranging talent…….This guy is not only a star, he is a lot more. We are lucky to get him for Spamalot.”
Clay went on to receive glowing reviews from the Broadway critics, the Broadway community and the Broadway audiences. Fans traveled from points all over the world to see the show and support Clay in his Broadway debut.
Aiken’s run on Broadway concluded on May 4th, but he returned in the fall for another 4 months of goofy humor and supreme silliness.
Clay made stage door appearances, signed Playbills, raised money for BroadwayCares and won the hearts of the Broadway world.
We don’t know what is next for Clay Aiken; however, January 18th will always be an anniversary to remember.
I can't believe it has been a year. What wonderful memories Spamalot created for us. Clay was so wise in realizing that this would open a whole new door for him and it did. Broadway loved him and so do we.
I sooooo remember 1/18/08!!! I sat on the boards, hitting refresh just WAITING for reports!!! I was so nervous, even sitting on the other side of the country. Of course once the reports started rolling in, I sat back and wondered WHY I was so nervous, like with everything else he does, Clay excelled.
I was so lucky to be able to attend Spam – both the first and the second run – so many memories, so much FUN!!
Has it really been a year? I wish I could of seen him in Spamalot.
Oh, how much fun that was on January 18, 2008! Waiting for the reports, nerves in a frazzle, hoping he did well, and then finding out he did VERY well! Broadway was very good for Clay. I’ll bet he will miss it.
Thanks for this article. Helped me re-live the past year!
OMG…I year ago?!!
I was lucky enough to attend *ahem* five concerts on the first “closing night” and what memories – I remeber it like it was yesterday..
He was a natural star on Broadway…hes a natural star.period.
Anyone can tell I’m a natural Clay Aiken fan! *g*
I didn’t go on opening night, but waited with everyone else for first reports back from the show. It was wonderful to hear how well he was doing in the role–some said like he’d been doing it for a long time! Then the first stage door pictures appeared, another wonderful sight!
I do hope someday he will get another role that will feature his voice. He really fits in well on Broadway.
I was on pins and needles that night and stayed up until the wee hours to get those stage door pictures. We were all just so proud of him–still are, come to think of it.
Would love to see him back on Broadway–such a star, but still so humble.
What an exciting day that was when Clay first took that stage and wowed the Broadway fans. I’m betting we’ll be seeing Clay on Broadway in the future.
“OH WOW!!!!!” I can’t believe it’s been a whole year….it has gone extremely fast…. I’m a bad Clay fan…I completely forgot about the anniversary…
The wonderful thing about it is that Clay was embrased on Broadway. He was a hit… It’s like a check list for him…He conquered Musical Theatre…what next Mr. Aiken…The world is yours…you can do anything, of that I am sure…but I sure want to hear that glorious voice again…
I’ve been playing clack from HRSP Orlando, and his voice was beyond perfection in that concert….Go back and watch it, it just fills your heart again…..and lets you hear and see what a wonderful performer he is.
It was a night to remember!
I didn’t get to see Clay in Spamalot this year, but I am glad he had this experience and got rave reviews for his performance! I want to see Clay in concert this year….I need to hear him sing!!!!!!!!!