Clay Aiken Deftly Acts Supremely Silly - AP Review- Page 2

[Mick2]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 3:35pm

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 Clay was neither tentative, withdrawn, nor un-silly in this role.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.

[musiclover4]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 4:20pm

Don't get your panties all tied up in a wad. We already acknowledged the EW interview. IMO, it wasn't all that bad but if you want to focus on it, go right ahead. I've come to the conclusion no matter how well Clay does on Broadway, a lot of you won't ever give Clay the respect he deserves. Well too bad, because he respects his fellow cast members as well as the talent on Broadway. I just read where Clay also donates a percentage of his Spamalot souvenir sales to the BCEFA and not to his own foundation. So much for respect.



Updated On: 2/25/08 at 04:20 PM

[StageFan2]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 5:45pm

I saw the show this weekend. Let me just say it still made me laugh. I think it's a fun show, even if I do know the dialogue and silly bits by heart..."are you suggestin' coconuts migrate?" Cracks me up everytime.

To my thoughts...for starters Hannah Waddingham owns the stage whenever she appears. She alone is worth the price of the ticket. Sara Ramirez was amazing, but Ms. Waddingham is brilliant. Chris Seiber back as Galahad, no need to comment further. Tom Deckman had me in stitches with his Prince Herbert - but Borle's original Prince Herbert had me falling out of my seat with laughter -and I mean literally sliding out of the seat. David Hibbard won me over with his Patsy. Jonathan Hadary is definitely my choice for King Arthur over Tim Curry. I like Curry, but with the exception of when I saw the show in previews - he always seemed to be "phoning it in" as YankeeFan described it.

As for Clay Aiken. I was neither unimpressed nor impressed. He didn't embarrass himself nor bring the production to a grinding halt. He has the ability, but it needs work. He most assuredly has a fine singing voice. His accent stayed pretty consistant throughout - with the exception of when he was singing. Understandable - that's tough for anyone -no harm done. I think he has comedic skills, but they need honing. The great timing I'd heard about was playing shy this weekend, as I saw none. What I've heard of his ability to play "silly" seemed to me flambouyant and frenzied, not silly. He needs to settle down abit. He tends to overplay a role which is intended to be underplayed. As for his dancing - I have to agree that he appeared tentative. Although I don't think he has reason to be. I think if he weren't being so careful (or giving the appearance of such) he would be able to adequately handle the dancing for Sir Robin. There's nothing very difficult involved. I just had the impression throughout that he was worried about screwing up. The audience was loving his every move - so even if he had messed up, they wouldn't have noticed or cared. They've probably thought it "cute". A word I became too accustommed to hearing from the 2 ladies next to me. It was the only word they used in discription from the moment Clay showed his face. Adjective challenged people should not try to be discriptive in public. It gives those of us with a vocabulary 'word rage'.

Anyway - all'n'all a C+ performance. Certainly nothing to be ashamed of considering he doesn't have much time on a stage. I think more time in rehearsal would have done him a world of good in the confidence department.

There's nothing that I could detect in his performance that will have casting directors knocking down his door, but with a bit of practice, a few dancing lessons, and some self confidence in his natural ability - I wouldn't discount him from the stages of Broadway entirely. Interestingly enough - I think he's better suited for a serious play. Wouldn't mind seeing him give that a try at all. Might even pay to see it.



Updated On: 2/25/08 at 05:45 PM

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 6:06pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 06:06 PM

[dominique]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 6:46pm

I appreciated your review, stagefan. It's a fair review, and what I've hoped for all along are some honest reviews from long-time theater fans. There have been a few, but I think many people on this board haven't seen Spamalot again since Clay joined.

What you say about Clay makes sense and is believable. Fans see through forgiving eyes, but you sound objective enough. Clay surely has a lot to learn, and compared to actors who have studied and practiced their craft for many years, a C+ is not out of line. Some others (some reviewers for instance) would give him higher than that, but people will differ on the details.

I think he does have comedic timing but it is hindered by his over-earnestness, a weakness he has when singing, too. I think your advice to Clay to relax and lighten up is well said, and I hope it is something he will be able to do in time. I know that Clay can be very silly and very funny, but this gig must be highly challenging to him and he does have a tendency to try too hard sometimes.

Thanks for the review. It's always enlightening to hear from those who have seen a lot of theater, and know of what they speak.

[StageFan2]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 7:12pm

Thanks dominique. I'm glad you don't find my review offensive. I would never want to offend any of Clay's fans. I appreciate that you found the review objective. I always keep in mind when viewing a show or performance, that the people on the stage are doing what I could only have hoped for at one time. But I have neither the talent nor the guts. It helps a body see through more respectful, more gentle eyes.

That said - Clay deserves an A+ for throwing himself into what is for him; unchartered territory. He opened himself up to failure and ridicule. He deserves neither. What he deserves - is our respect for his efforts. Here's to him. I wish him much continued success.

Oh and LePetite Professor - Description / descriptive - duly noted. Updated On: 2/25/08 at 07:12 PM

[My_Candle]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 7:25pm

"Certainly nothing to be ashamed of considering he doesn't have much time on a stage."

I haven't seen it yet myself, but I am a little surprised by this comment. I thought that between his guard scenes (like with the coconut jokes), Brother Maynard, and Sir Robin, that he was on stage quite a bit.

[StageFan2]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 7:29pm

I was referring to his experience as a stage performer in general Candle - not his time on stage in this production. Sorry - perhaps I should have more clear on that point.
Updated On: 2/25/08 at 07:29 PM

[LePetiteFromage]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 7:29pm

Updated On: 5/7/09 at 07:29 PM

[StageFan2]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 7:32pm

Yea I win! Thanks LePetite - exactly what I meant.

[arabella]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 7:40pm

StageFan2, even though I can't say I agree with you on every point, I also enjoyed reading your thoughtful, respectful review.

Clay has said in the past that he appreciates constructive criticism because that is the only way he will improve. I'm sure he will continue to fine tune his performances as the weeks progress. And yes, relaxing and having fun in the role would be good. Absolutely. I agree that he really, REALLY wants to do a good job on Broadway and may be trying just a little too hard. That's not necessarily a bad thing but maybe he needs to dial it back a notch.

I'm looking forward to seeing the show again later in his run.

Thank you again for sharing your comments.
Updated On: 2/25/08 at 07:40 PM

[My_Candle]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 7:44pm

Thanks for the clarification, StageFan2. Which of his roles did you enjoy the most?

[StageFan2]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 8:23pm

Thanks for your comments arabella.

Your welcome Candle. My favorite Clay role...actually it was Sir Robin. On a whole he handles the part well. He seemed to grasp the concept of the character well enough, he just, at times, seemed uncomfortable. Most noticeable, at least from my perspective, with the dancing. He is obviously comfortable when singing and appeared to be happiest and most at ease when doing so. But singing is what he does best. The other stuff is new.

Not being familiar with Clay - my impression is that he is basically shy and I think it plays into his appearing uneasy. I had the same impression of shyness at the stage door. He was very cordial and friendly, but seemed taken aback by the fervor surrounding him. Not uncomfortable really - perhaps just a bit mystified by it all.

[HeddaG]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 8:53pm

I saw the show on Friday and, after having seen the original cast, the touring company, and now this cast - I have to say I thought the energy and excitement of this cast was fabulous. I loved the original cast but was impressed - perhaps even more so - with this one. Agree with Stagefan2 about Hannah. She's extraordinary. Didn't find Clay frenzied however. Did find him surprisingly good. Perhaps because my expectations were fairly low. I find the goofy silliness of Spamalot actually extremely difficult. Maybe because as an actress I always found comedy so much tougher. The characters have to be over the top but they also have to come from some real core so as not to be completely unbelievable. I thought Clay managed that quite well. His portrayal of Robin was much more innocent and naive which I think was a great fit for him and for the role. I actually found his scenes with Chris Sieber funnier than Chris and DHP - I felt like Clay actually gave Chris more to work with. And I was impressed with Clay in that he appeared to really have worked out different behaviors for his characters. Had this been the performance of a seasoned Broadway performer, I would probably have thought it was good and fit in well with the whole production. Because it was someone I perceive to be a singer with limited stage experience - I was impressed.

Tom Deckman, RIck Holmes and David Hibbard were fabulous and anyone who hasn't seen the show would not be disappointed in this cast at all. I don't know if Clay's involvement has reenergized the cast or if the fact that Nichols has been coming in often to give notes has kept it fresh - but I enjoyed it as much as the first time I saw the show.

I wanted to do the stage door - if only to see the crowds - but was told that Clay was sick and not coming out to sign autographs. They said he'd be skipping it the whole weekend but I guess he must have felt better if StageFan2 was able to see him at the stage door. I'm disappointed now that I wasn't able to do it on Friday.

[gilliane]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 8:54pm

I read that Clay was sick and they said Friday he wasn't going to do the stage door all weekend because of it. Did that change? I was going to go back and see it again yesterday (want to see it again before Chris Sieber leaves) but ended up not going because I've been really sick myself.

ETA: obviously HeddaG and I have been reading the same places :) Updated On: 2/25/08 at 08:54 PM

[StageFan2]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 9:19pm

Hedda and gilliane - no need to be disappointed. I saw Clay earlier, the previous weekend when I was tooling around the city taking care of some business. I was on 44th anyway so I wandered over to the Shubert after the matinee to check out the madness I'd heard about and to determine if I wanted to attempt the stage door this past weekend. I did not. The rumors were true. I don't know if he did the stage door this weekend. I don't recall hearing an announcement saying he wouldn't, and I didn't read anything about his illness.

I can't imagine the disappointment of some of the fans sitting around me. They were definitely there to see Clay. Devasted comes to mind. :-O


**Edited for clarity** Updated On: 2/26/08 at 09:19 PM

[Mikers]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 9:52pm

Did you see these guys the day you went?

[HeddaG]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 9:55pm

Thanks for the update StageFan2 - I'm not really disappointed. I was just kind of hoping to experience some of the Claymate mania. But unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I didn't have any Claymates surrounding me at the theater. Just seemed like regular theater fans mixed in with what I could tell were definitely Python fans -- but no Claymates that I could tell. I don't think I'll stop by the stage door any time I'm tooling around the city - but I just might check it in April when I'm seeing The Country Girl if gets out around the same time. Might be fun to experience all that energy.

[dominique]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 10:47pm

That said - Clay deserves an A+ for throwing himself into what is for him; unchartered territory. He opened himself up to failure and ridicule. He deserves neither. What he deserves - is our respect for his efforts. Here's to him. I wish him much continued success.

Aw Stagefan thanks, that was a sweet thing to say. :)

[Cartwheel]

Posted: 2/25/08 at 11:31pm

Thanks for the review, StageFan2.

[Mick2]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 2:50am

HeddaG and Stagefan2, I enjoyed those reviews and glad that you enjoyed the show. : ))

[SaraRfan]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 12:26pm

Thanks everyone who answered my questions, I decided to go and will be seeing it soon. I'll post my review here. I still have doubts that Hannah can match Sara but I hope to be surprised.

StageFan, I'm confused. Are you sure the crowds you saw after the midweek matinee were at the Spamalot stage door? I read here on BWW that there is a midweek matinee so I wanted to see that but when I went to buy tickets I was told there are only matinees on Saturday and Sunday.

[Mikers]

Posted: 2/26/08 at 6:00pm

That is correct SaraRfan. There is no midweek matinee.

[SaraRfan]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 11:56am

Thanks Mikers. StageFan did originally say he went to a midweek matinee didn't he, before he edited his post? I'm not losing it?

My friend and me are going to NYC for 3 days during spring break so we're going then. Does anyone else do the stage door with Clay? Someone said upthread that Christopher Sieber is leaving, when is that? I hope he's still there when we go.

[StageFan2]

Posted: 2/27/08 at 1:11pm

You're not crazy SaraRfan - I had originally written "earlier in the week." I didn't say midweek, either way - bad on my part and I apologize for the confusion. The only one I saw at the stage door was Clay. But I'm sure the others would come out as well. I'll probably see it again in April. I'm wondering if Clay's performance may have been hinder last weekend because of his illness - I may have judged his performance unfairly if that's the case. So, in order to be fair, I guess I'll just have to see Spamalot again.