Reviews of Clay in Spamalot? — Page 5

Sorry, I just can't get past this interview in Newsweek. This guy comes off as a complete freak. I'll check out the performance in a few weeks because a buddy of mine is joining the cast from the tour and report back...


Clay in Newsweek

Since the other posts aren't showing up, this is in response to what musiclover4 wrote that wasn't showing up until he/she posted it again after this post:
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Reviews of Clay in Spamalot?
Posted by musiclover4 2008-01-24 08:45:47.0

Interesting that someone would pay all that money to see a show they don't like. everyone is entitled to an opinion. That being said, this thread has been fairly decent and civil, and it would be nice if it didn't turn into bashing the poster.
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My response:

Pretty much like MassiveMeGo bashed Kelly2 who actually wrote an unbiased review? You know, that works both ways. I'm reposting my comment that's not showing up with about 10 others.

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MassiveMeGo wrote: "Throw Kelly2's review on the trash heap.

I hate Spamalot. I hate Clay Aiken. I spent money to go see it because I hate it so much.

Riiiiiight. We believe you."
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MassiveMeGo, you wonder why the regular posters of the board give you newbies such a hard time. The above would be one of the reasons.


ETA poster names.

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Updated On: 1/24/08 at 09:24 AM

"Sorry, I just can't get past this interview in Newsweek. "

Try this AP interview instead. Things are much better when the reporter stays on topic.
Associated Press

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"Throw Kelly2's review on the trash heap.

I hate Spamalot. I hate Clay Aiken. I spent money to go see it because I hate it so much.

Riiiiiight. We believe you."

Massive,

Kelly2 didn't write her review of the show to have you call her a liar. That was HER opinion of the show. Putting your hands over your ears and crying, 'No! I don't believe you!' isn't going to change anything.


Kelly2,

Thanks for writing the first real, personal review on this thread.

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Sorry Marissa, I did miss it. Thanks for the review. I hope we'll see many more in the coming days ahead.

I wrote a review very early this morning, but I don't even see it on here unless I scroll back from my Post Message page.

Is it only invisible to me on this thread? Someone after me said that happens sometimes - weird board glitch I guess.

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

Updated On: 1/24/08 at 05:41 PM

"Mick2, Kelly2, and Marissa2"


I'm seeing a trend...

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"So long as they agree with you."

LePetiteFormage - if you go back through the thread you'll find that Clayford27 has said nothing that warranted that response from you. He/she has been nothing but fair in regards to Clay. Your sarcasm must be intended for someone else, certainly not a Clayford27. If you must be sarcastic, at least be sure it's aimed at the appropriate party.

To those who are giving us actual reviews - Thanks, it really is appreciated.

Updated On: 1/24/08 at 07:49 PM

Okee-doe-kee LePetiteFormage - There just seems to be so much unfriendliness going on - folks on the boards (myself included) might be getting a little over-defense. Sorry if I mis-read your meaning, and the apology to Clayford was very nice. So thanks for clarifying and welcome, although alittle late, to BWW.

Updated On: 1/24/08 at 08:11 PM

Updated On: 5/8/09 at 08:27 PM

StageFan2, thank you for coming to my defense, it's greatly appreciated! :)

LePetiteFromage, thank you for the apology, I appreciate that as well. Due to the terrible rep Clay fans have, especially on this board, but mostly in general, I can understand where that came from. I mean, obviously I'm a big Clay fan, but I do try to stay unbiased, especially in this situation. And obviously I know that not everyone is going to like him, and that's fine, because everyone's entitled to their own opinion. It's to be expected. And I thanked those three people for their reviews because I felt they were honest and had some constructive criticism in them. And that's why I really like this thread. However, since we're all clarifying things, my main issue on this board was in the several other Clay threads (and not only the Spamalot-related threads, basically any other thread about Clay) where it was just a bunch of blatent attacks on him and the fans and discussions about his sexuality, all of which had nothing to do with his actual performance. So, I don't remember what I posted in those. I do know that in the past I did let that kind of thing get to me and I've probably posted about it, but now I'm just trying to ignore it. So if I came off as a crazy Claymate in those other threads and I bitched at someone over something they said, I do apologize. That was definitely not my intent. Anyway, I really am happy that this thread was made strictly to talk about Clay's performance and everyone's thoughts on it. I'm always happy to hear what people think of Clay's performances, whether positive or negative, as long as they give good reason to back up their opinions. :)

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Why do you think I'm implying something?


Oh, Stagefan2 can be added...

Is their something I'm missing with the 2's?

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