| Member Name: |
Mick2 |
| Contact User: |
You must be logged in to contact BWW members.
|
|
Most Recent Message Board Posts:
View Off Topic Posts
re: Clay Aiken to RETURN to broadway
Aug 13 2008, 12:49:52 AM
QUOTE
Yes, I am still in awe of Hannah Waddingham, Tom Deckman, Christopher Sieber, and Rick Holmes. They were awesome.
Yes, they were. And just about every recap I read on Clay's boards attested to the fact. So, while most of the Clay fans probably wouldn't have gone if he weren't there, the whole experience drew lots of them back for many shows. I can't imagine anyone topping those three men, and Tom Deckman is in a league of his own. Those guys gained a ton of new fans
|
re: Congratulations to Clay Aiken!!!
Aug 9 2008, 09:06:42 PM
Nice to see there are a few classy posters here.
Congratulations to Clay and Jaymes Foster.
Welcome to our world, Parker Aiken!
|
re: Hannah Waddingham
Mar 6 2008, 06:39:46 PM
She is wonderful. Absolutely gorgeous and what a voice and presence! She does appear to be about 6'3"
|
re: Clay Aiken Deftly Acts Supremely Silly - AP Review
Feb 28 2008, 02:26:59 PM
That's some fun footage right there, Cartwheel - thanks.
I love the "Broadway spares no expense!" line. And the "even my wig is going gray" one, haha.
|
re: Clay Aiken Deftly Acts Supremely Silly - AP Review
Feb 26 2008, 02:50:04 AM
HeddaG and Stagefan2, I enjoyed those reviews and glad that you enjoyed the show. : ))
|
re: Clay Aiken Deftly Acts Supremely Silly - AP Review
Feb 25 2008, 03:35:11 PM
Nah, I ignored it because it was so inaccurate. Clay was neither tentative, withdrawn, nor un-silly in this role. I had to conclude that this so-called reviewer didn't even see the show.
But, whoever would like to believe that one, let them have at it. No skin off my nose.
|
re: Clay Aiken Deftly Acts Supremely Silly - AP Review
Feb 25 2008, 03:17:13 PM
I like this review - except for the fact that she didn't even mention the impressive Mr. Deckman (and didn't know a Menorah from a candelabra).
|
re: Clay Aiken Deftly Acts Supremely Silly - AP Review
Feb 24 2008, 02:27:55 PM
I agree with that assessment, Mikers. Tom Deckman was so adorable I just wanted to take him home with me. The rest of the cast was fantastic, too. I liked Jonathan Hadary but he just seemed really short to be a king - Clay and Christopher towered over him.
|
re: Clay Aiken Deftly Acts Supremely Silly - AP Review
Feb 23 2008, 06:42:04 PM
SaraRFan, I have only seen Sara's performance on the internet, but I thought she did a great job. However, if I have to choose, I'd choose Hannah's performance to see again. I think she's prettier, and sings a little better. Just a personal preference - I love Sara's "Callie" character on Grey's, and as I said, I think she did a good job as LOTL as well.
|
Clay Aiken Deftly Acts Supremely Silly - AP Review
Feb 22 2008, 04:02:20 PM
http://movies.msn.com/news/article.aspx?news=302088
Clay Aiken Deftly Acts Supremely Silly
Let's clear things up right away: Clay Aiken can handle supremely silly.
That's not an inconsiderable talent when you are appearing in something as daffy as "Monty Python's Spamalot," the madcap medieval musical that has just added the "American Idol" alum to its cast.
We knew Aiken could sing. "Idol," television's favorite trial-by-fire, proved that. So it was only natural that Broadway, eager for new faces that might sell tickets, would call — just as it did for Fantasia, Frenchie Davis, Constantine Maroulis and others from "Idol."
But don't go expecting a star turn. Aiken is a team player — and that's meant as a compliment. The ingratiating performer fits seamlessly into the extended high jinks of "Spamalot," which has been running at the Shubert Theatre since March 2005.
The guy gets the goofy humor that is the Python trademark and goes with the flow, most prominently when he is portraying the perpetually petrified Sir Robin. It's one of three roles he plays in the musical.
Aiken also exudes the physical buffoonery that underlines the cartoonlike nature of the characters and their quest to find the Holy Grail. He radiates a delightful benign bewilderment. What's more, for someone born and raised in North Carolina, Aiken does a credible British accent.
And the rest of the production, directed by Mike Nichols, holds up quite nicely, too. The tale, concocted by "Python" legend Eric Idle, is loosely based on the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," and film buffs will recognize some of their favorite bits from the film. Idle also wrote the lyrics and shares credit with John Du Prez for the music.
If there is anything approaching show-stopper status in this "Spamalot," it's the performance by Hannah Waddingham as the Lady of the Lake. The statuesque Waddingham, who originated the role in the London production, is sensational. She's funny, sexy and blessed with one of those powerhouse voices that really shakes up the score.
But then Nichols and choreographer Casey Nicholaw have kept the musical in tiptop shape. From Jonathan Hadary's robust King Arthur to the preening Galahad of Christopher Sieber (an original New York cast member who recently returned to the show) to Rick Holmes' sexually fluid Lancelot, the cast gets a high amount of laughs from low comedy.
And then there's Tom Deckman as the hilariously fey Prince Herbert and David Hibbard as the aptly named Patsy, singing and tapping his way through the show's best known moment of musical cheer, "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life." This is ensemble comic lunacy at its most inspired.
But attention Aiken fans. He appears in "Monty Python's Spamalot" only through May 4.
Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
Edited to add link to article with author's byline:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/02/22/entertainment/e114231S74.DTL
|
re: 'Spamalot' Clay Aiken
Feb 17 2008, 07:21:13 PM
Complete and utter bull****. I didn't just fall off the turnip truck.
|
re: 'Spamalot' Clay Aiken
Feb 17 2008, 07:11:40 PM
I think anyone with half a brain can tell who the trouble makers are. I don't know why you'd want to expose yourselves as the hateful beings you are, but what you say only reflects on you, not on Mr. Aiken. I wonder if BWW really approves of those who join just to post like trolls and who tell new members that just want to talk about the show/s to go away if they don't like their nastiness. Somehow, I doubt it.
|
re: Eli Stone on NOW!
Feb 1 2008, 02:25:42 AM
I loved the first episode. Just about perfect in the "quirky and different" department, for me. I'm crazy about Johnny Lee Miller anyway.
|
Reviews of Clay in Spamalot?
Jan 27 2008, 02:42:46 PM
Mythus, how lucky were you!! He does sound like an absolute sweetheart!
There is a really cute picture floating around from the stage door last night, of Clay leading the Spamalot fans in a Happy Birthday tribute to Tom, and him hiding his face. It's adorable! Hard to believe he is 29, the same age as Clay.
What I wouldn't give to be that light on my feet again! I used to work out 2 hours a day most days, before I became an internet junkie.
|
Reviews of Clay in Spamalot?
Jan 25 2008, 02:16:21 PM
BroadwayBabe19, I certainly considered your review to be legitimate.
I'm glad I gave it a shot even though I've never been interested in Monty Python because I abhor bathroom humor. For me, if even the potty humor is hilarious, they're doing something right.
Also, even though they do gay jokes, Jewish jokes, Christian jokes, you name it - it's not done in a mean spirited way, it's merely very silly and you can't help but laugh.
I'd really love to buy a DVD
|
Reviews of Clay in Spamalot?
Jan 25 2008, 12:15:01 AM
Of course I can't force a discussion on people, how absurd. Just wishing I could read more reviews.
Ah, well, guess I'll mosey on out of here and check back in a few days. Maybe there will be something by then, or maybe this thread will be lost on page 50 by then... : ))
|
Reviews of Clay in Spamalot?
Jan 25 2008, 12:08:32 AM
TheatreDiva, I wasn't being either, I was just trying to answer the question to the best of my ability.
Can we just try to get along now? I have nothing against anyone, but I dislike all the bickering very much.
|
Reviews of Clay in Spamalot?
Jan 24 2008, 11:24:28 PM
I wish EVERYONE could stop being so defensive and paranoid.
As I said, BWW seemed to "assign" the number 2 to my screen name. Maybe it's doing it to all the newbies, or it's another weird little glitch or something.
I just wish more people would come comment about the show. Good or bad, as long as they are being honest and not unduly biased one way or another.
|
Reviews of Clay in Spamalot?
Jan 24 2008, 09:29:52 PM
"Mick2, Kelly2, and Marissa2"
I'm seeing a trend... "
So it would seem. All I know is I tried to sign on with just Mick but apparently that was already taken. I you assure I don't know Kelly2 or Marissa2 from Adam (Eve? lol) if that's what you're implying. Not that I can see anything wrong with it if I did.
|
Reviews of Clay in Spamalot?
Jan 24 2008, 05:41:42 PM
Thanks, TheatreDiva90016. I guess it's OK to try again, then:
I think Clay did a very creditable job, even on opening night - and will only improve with time and experience. All three of his British accents were well done, I thought (not that I'm an expert but I've certainly seen enough Jane Austen, Charles Dickens and William Thackeray renditions on PBS to recognize the flow, and have always had a bit of an ear for dialects and accents). He may have been short of perfection on a word here and there, but who cares about that? It was his First Knight, haha.
I'd really love to see it again in a month or two, when he has any little kinks worked out and is relaxed enough to improvise a little more. Not that I have any complaints about his performance Friday night at ALL - I just believe that he'll be fantastic in a month or two.
I didn't see his facial expressions as "mugging." Yes, he plays the part totally differently than David Hyde-Pierce (who I adore) did, but that's all to the good as he's making the role his own. I think he dead-panned it when needed, and was animated when needed. I thought he was hysterical in that Guarding Prince Herbert scene. Also Brother Maynard saying "Get your hand off my knee, you dirty bastard" had me ROFL.
More than anything, I think, I was impressed that he remembered all that choreography. He has always shown in concerts that he feels rhythm from deep within, and has come up with some interesting moves, but this is a much higher level of difficulty, and he pulled it off, even with those enormous feet of his, LOL. I hope he'll have lots more confidence in his ability to dance after this.
I can't decide which character part I liked him best in - he was just good in all of them, IMO, and I laughed more than I ever dreamed I would, not really being much of a Monty Python (or bathroom humor) fan.
Now if I can just inherit a boatload of money before May 4th so I can do it all again!
The Spamalot script is genius, AFAIC, since it turned a non-fan into a definite fan. That "Not Dead Yet" schtick killed me every time! : ))
I really enjoyed the above article by the Associated Press - that was refreshingly upbeat for a change. So glad to know that the people associated with Spamalot think highly of him and were pleasantly surprised at what he was able to learn and do.
There was also a good radio interview which you can listen to here:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4178073
|
You must log in to view off-topic posts.
|
|
