Playbill is a magazine in the United States that covers the field of performing arts. Established in 1884, Playbill now serves theatre in most major American cities. In recent years, Playbill has added many of the nation’s prestigious performing arts organizations including Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Opera, and the San Francisco Symphony. Playbill is one of the largest consumer magazines, distributing an average of over 3.9 million copies each month.
In the last 12 years, Playbill has featured many articles about Clay Aiken. They have ranged from information about the Raleigh Fundraising Concert, Bringing Broadway Home in 2010, to remarks about Clay in Drowsy Chaperone in May -2013.
There was also coverage of Clay and his role of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and a wonderful report about the Best of Broadway Reception for Candidate Clay in October, 2014.
But there are two articles about Clay Aiken that are my favorites:
On October 19, 2010, Playbill.com published an interesting article featuring Clay Aiken and his work with Trick or Treat For UNICEF. The well-written article covered some history of the Trick or Treat For UNICEF program. Did you know that it is 65 years old?
Clay also recounted one of his favorite Halloweens in Raleigh. When Clay was in 4th grade, he had a haunted house in his backyard. There were hundreds of visitors who came to see the ghouls and ghosts. Clay said that he was the greeter and because he was not of fan of ghosts, he wore a clown costume. Even in 4th grade, Clay did his own thing!!
The article is full of lots of fun and loads of great information about the UNICEF program. I hope you will read the entire article at Playbill.com
On July 3rd, Playbill.com posted a poll on twitter. They posted:
Who was YOUR fave Bway replacement? Why? Tweet us 2 be featured on @Playbill!
Well, guess who ended up as one of the winners of this poll? Yes…it was the talented Sir Robin. Opps…I meant Clay Aiken!
A few day later, Playbill posted the following:
Playbill Poll: From Clay Aiken to Liza Minnelli, Readers Pick Their Favorite Broadway Replacements
Last week talk-show host Wendy Williams stepped into the long-running Broadway revival of Chicago, while earlier this spring, “Glee” star Jane Lynch joined the cast of Annie. Playbill.com asked our readers who some of their favorite replacements were throughout Broadway history.
Broadway has a rich history of replacements, from Pearl Bailey in Hello, Dolly!, to Harvey Fierstein and Rosie O’Donnell in Fiddler on the Roof, Bryan Batt in La Cage aux Folles, Bernadette Peters in A Little Night Music and Betty Buckley in Sunset Boulevard.
Here are some of our reader’s favorite Broadway replacements.
Nancy Housteau: Clay Aiken in Monty Python’s Spamalot. He was the perfect Sir Robin. Blended with the rest of the cast perfectly.
dakota2424: Clay Aiken @clayaiken in Spamalot because he was terrific as Sir Robin!
Canuck1949: Absolutely @clayaiken was my favourite Bway replacement actor. Amazing
In 2008 “American Idol” finalist Clay Aiken made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award-winning musical Monty Python’s Spamalot in the role of Sir Robin. His appearance was so popular, he returned for an encore run later that year.
You can visit the Playbill site and see the entire article and slideshow. Just click on PLAYBILL
I hope that Playbill will continue to support Clay Aiken and report on his professional appearances.
Do you have any of the Playbills that feature Clay?
As a theater fan I love to read Playbill. Wish I had copies with clay featured.
Broadway loves Clay Aiken, he made an impact with his performance as Sir Robin and as himself! I'm hoping we will see him again on That Great White Way!
I have 2 Playbills from Spamalot (4/2008 & 10/2008). Also a signed program from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from the Ogunquit Playhouse. I'm sorry I didn't save all of the ticket stubs from Clay's concerts just so I could recall the dates I saw him perform. Lets hope that Playbill will have many more articles on Clay in the future.