Comments on: Clay Aiken – A Valuable Asset

By: lovinclay

lovinclay — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:43:42 +0000

Clay was just amazing as Sir Robin in Spamalot. He brought in lots of money for the show and Broadway Cares. I didn’t get to go but I never missed a night of all the video’s of backstage and believe me it was exciting.

He also got his picture in the famous Sardi’s Restaurant and that is quite the accomplishment. I am sure that anyone would love to have Clay back on Broadway in a minute. If he ever goes back to a Broadway run I would be very happy and try in any way to get there this time around.

By: IamMesmerized (Carole)

IamMesmerized (Carole) — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:34:26 +0000

Fortunately, I had the chance to go during the second run. Enough of kicking my own butt for missing the first run made sure I didn’t miss the second one. As it was, I went for the weekend, stayed with a fellow fan, met lots of others and went for the standing room on Saturday night and great seats for the Sunday matinee. I loved it so much that I wish finances would have allowed me many more visits. NY City is very expensive, even if staying with a friend. I am sure that a very small percentage of former fans did not go because of Clay’s announcement but most of us couldn’t have cared less though, were happy for him and I think the numbers showed it in the final analysis. I read somewhere online that without Clay, Spam would have closed in September as the crowds dropped right off after he left in May. If it wasn’t such grueling work, I would love for Clay to go on a Spamalot tour so everyone could get to see him as our beloved Sir Robin.

By: Lakelady

Lakelady — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 02:49:02 +0000

Possibly the box office heard some of that when disgruntled fans tried to return tickets. I doubt that they would know when fans bought tickets on line.

I did make 2 trips the first run and 1 trip the second run. The end of the year is always busier for me. Nevertheless when I went in early November, midweek, there were quite a few fans in the first few rows and they appeared to all know each other. I didn’t really see a difference from the spring.

I would also go to see Clay on Broadway again as would my husband, who loved Spamalot and thought Clay was great.

By: Carolina Clay

Carolina Clay — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:44:40 +0000

Musicfan,

Thnx for starting the dialogue. I only saw “Spamalot” through the recaps of others, but I know Clay Aiken brought much excitement — and a bundle of dollars — into the Shubert Theatre.

Happy Fourth of July!

Caro

By: Hope

Hope — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 22:30:29 +0000

Eric Idle is a great talent, but in this instance, he didn’t know what he was talking about. Clay was still a draw and us fans that didn’t go, didn’t go because the economy was bad and Christmas was coming up.

By: clayam

clayam — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:23:31 +0000

I and my four friends could only afford (time and money wise)to travel to NYC from AZ. to see Clay in Spamalot once, but when we were there we went to four shows and each time it was better than the previous one, Clay was such a delight!

I also had my dream come true and got my picture taken with him, also the money we spent was for a good cause.

By: RIFAN

RIFAN — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:16:00 +0000

I was lucky enough to go in the spring and then again in the fall when Clay was back in Spamalot. But, I know of so many fans who went many times in the spring not knowing that Clay would be back. If they had known he was coming back in the fall, they might have reserved one of their many trips for then rather than going so many times in the spring.

I will always be grateful that I was able to go back. Clay Aiken was just outstanding in that role! He was responsible for a huge number of ticket sales and for a great deal of money that was raised for Broadway Cares. Even the local restaurants benefited from his presence.

I hope to see him back on Broadway some day. If he is, the fans will be there!!

By: fgs

fgs — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:25:10 +0000

Clay was wonderful in Spamalot. Even though he was brought in to build up sales, he worked hard at learning the role of Sir Robin–his co-actors spoke highly of him from the very beginning. Appearing in eight shows a week would be very tiring work with only one day off per week.

A trip to NYC and to see two shows can easily run $1000 with airfare, hotel, meals, tickets and other small expenditures. This is a lot different than buying an $85 ticket to go see a concert nearby or even to travel to 2 or 3 concerts and spend a couple nights. Most people didn’t know Clay would be back in the fall and spent their travel money for the first run. The economics of going on more than one trip to NYC speak for themselve.

By: Jan

Jan — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:21:44 +0000

I think he assumed that many quit going because he came out. Some did, but I read over and over on many boards that no one knew that Clay was going back for a second run and they spent all of their Clay money on the first run and could not afford to go the second run.

If I could have, I would have been there without a doubt.

By: tnmtmama

tnmtmama — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 18:59:19 +0000

I was one of the fans who attended the first run of Spam and would have loved to go again in the fall. Unfortunately, I was unable to go for financial reasons. I hope Mr. Idle was just being “funny” and doesn’t really believe that people in the real world would stop watching a talented singer/actor simply because he is gay. How sad for all gay performers.