TONYS 2009 Q and A: Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Nominee - Constantine Maroulis

Broadway's surprise 'head banging' hit Rock of Ages, is among the celebrated ranks of this year's Tony Contenders, earning no fewer than five nominations-including a Best Actor nomination for star Constantine Maroulis. 

A Season 4 veteran of American Idol, Maroulis is the first contestant from the hit FOX series to earn such a prestigious distinction. But it shouldn't come as such a big shock as the actor attended the The Boston Conservatory of Music, where he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theater from the Boston Conservatory of Music and a minor in voice from the Berklee College of Music in 2002. 

After graduating the Conservatory, Maroulis trained as an acting apprentice at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and toured in the Broadway international touring company of Rent, performing the lead role of Roger Davis. Since appearing on the nation's most watched television show, Constantine has starred in several stage productions, released his own solo album, toured the country, and even held a recurring role on CBS' daytime soap opera, The Bold and the Beautiful.

He appeared in The Wedding Singer on Broadway as well as a thrilling turn as Judas in The Premier Theatre Company presentation of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Jesus Christ Superstar" at The Henderson Theater in Lincroft, New Jersey in June 2008.

The 33-year-old singer, who plays wannabe rocker Drew Bowie in Rock of Ages, took a few during his very busy "Meet the Nominees" day to talk about the excitement of being nominated for a Tony, his love of the stage and his devotion to his director and cast.

BWW: How did you find out about the nominations?

Constantine Maroulis: I had been really sick with a bad cold all that week and fighting through it, so I was waking up crappy and tired, and just out of it, you know? I didn't set my alarm or anything for the Tony nominations, I didn't want to be ‘that guy' (laughs). I was actually asleep for the beginning. I usually fall asleep with Sports Center on, that is my bedtime entertainment, so the TV was on when I woke up. Once I was finally up I turned it on in the background just as they were literally saying ‘The Nominees for Best Leading Actor in a Musical.' I said, ‘Oh, OK, whatever.' I heard them read off Gavin Creel and Brian d'Arcy James and then the Billy Elliot boys, and then without warning, ME! It was amazing. Very, very surreal - truly just surreal.

BWW: You truly started your creative journey on the stage, so while a surprise to some, this is actually something you have trained for your whole life.

CM: Right. It is a wonderful, wonderful thing, to be performing on that stage every night. I studied at the Boston Conservatory, and my BFA is actually in musical theater. Long before I became known for Idol or whatever, I was doing eight shows a week in Rent on tour, so it's really been a long progression for me professionally, but it has always been my passion. 

BWW: There is real honesty to your performance in the show, you hold together a great deal of the "truth connection" for the audience in the midst of all these outrageous characters.

CM: Thanks for saying that. I've been blessed in this life, and certainly in the last few years, and while I'm an actor doing the work, every actor needs a great director, and I am just blessed with Kristin Hanggi. I was super excited to sit down and to get to know Kristin, because they originally called me years ago to play the Stacee Jaxx role. You know this show started out in a bar in LA, from that bar to the Tony Awards, surreal. So, James Carpinello plays Jaxx on Broadway, but I went to the audition with his sides in hand. It was Kristin who had the idea of me for Drew. She is just amazing. She called me back in and said, ‘No, we need you for Drew.'

BWW: And what an inspiration, because you are perfect for the role.

CM: To create a role on Broadway, with Kristin, working with this cast, it is just amazing, a gift. This show has a wild energy, but we play the truth of the story, it is important that we play that truth. Kristin is instrumental in that. I'm so happy for her and her nomination. As for me being recognized it is just, it is all about The Cast.

BWW: It is an incredible ensemble.

CM: They are amazing, I just happen to be out front a lot of the time, and get some of the attention. But, I'd be nothing without the rest of The Cast. I think it's going to be hard to replace people in The Cast too. If the show runs a long time, you know for years and years. They are so connected. I loved being a part of the show, I could play it forever, but I would probably get too old! Hah!

BWW: You could play all the roles and end up playing Hertz!

CM: Right! That is a good idea, I could play the German father, love it!

BWW: The music has such a big theatricality to it, it almost belongs on a stage in some ways? The radio could hardly contain it in the 80's.

CM: I agree, absolutely. A great song is timeless, whether it's written by Andrew Lloyd Webber or Whitesnake. And these songs lend themselves perfectly to theatrical settings. But we work hard to make them real, to keep the characters honest.

BWW: Speaking of Andrew Lloyd Webber, you are a fan of his music, we spoke before and The Phantom of the Opera is a role want to play one day isn't it?

CM: That is my favorite! One day, I mean who knows? That show ain't goin' anywhere anytime soon. My hope too is to continue to do interesting new works, big and small, that is something that I really want to continue. I am so blessed to be able to be a part of this community, this is just a really special time.

BWW: Thanks for taking the time, all the best!

CM: Thank you to all the guys at BWW, thanks for all the support.

The "totally awesome" cast for Broadway's new, smash hit musical features Constantine Maroulis, ("American Idol" Season 4, Broadway's The Wedding Singer, RENT) reprising his critically acclaimed role as "Drew." He is joined by Broadway's best 1970's & 1980's period actors Amy Spanger (The Wedding Singer, Kiss Me Kate) as "Sherrie" and James Carpinello (Saturday Night Fever, VH1's "So NoTORIous") as "Stacee Jaxx".

Also featured in The Cast are Adam Dannheisser (The Coast of Utopia, Twelfth Night), Mitchell Jarvis (Fiddler on the Roof), Michele Mais (Roza), Lauren Molina (Sweeney Todd), Paul Schoeffler (Sweet Charity, Nine), Wesley Taylor (See Rock City), Ericka Hunter (Flower Drum Song, 42nd Street), Jeremy Jordan (Little Dog Laughed tour), Michael Minarik (Les Miserables), Angel Reed (Saturday Night Fever tour), Bahiyah Sayyed-Gaines (Pal Joey, The Color Purple), Katherine Tokarz (White Christmas, A Chorus Line ), Andre Ward (Xanadu, The Producers), Savannah Wise (Les Miserables), Tad Wilson (The Full Monty) and Jeremy Woodard (Glory Days).

Rockin' in the on-stage band, ARSENAL, are Music Director/ keyboardist Henry Aronson (Theatre: Rocky Horror, RENT ), lead guitarist Joel Hoekstra (Night Ranger), drummer Jon Weber (The Orion Experience, Theatre: Hedwig), bassist Winston Roye (Ace of Base, Theatre: Bright Lights, Big City) and guitar player David Gibbs (Counting Crows, Film: That Thing You Do), who also wrote the original arrangements. The Music Supervision, Arrangements & Orchestrations are by Ethan Popp (Tarzan; Europe: We Will Rock You, Mamma Mia)

The show is written by Chris D'Arienzo (writer and director of the upcoming film Barry Munday), directed by Kristin Hanggi (Bare, Pussycat Dolls on the Sunset Strip) and choreographed by Kelly Devine (Jersey Boys - Associate Choreographer).

"Live with Regis and Kelly" is executive produced by Michael Gelman, and is distributed by Disney ABC Domestic Television. Produced by WABC-TV in New York, "Live with Regis and Kelly" airs in more than 200 markets across the country. To get more info go towww.bventertainment.go.com.

Following an extremely successful off Broadway run and the sale of the film rights to New Line Cinema, ROCK OF AGES opened on Broadway, Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre (256 W. 47th Street).

Previews began on Tuesday, March 17, 2009. All tickets (including VIP Green Room and Premium Seats) can be purchased via Ticketmaster.com/ 212-307-4100 or in person at The Brooks Atkinson Box Office, 256 W. 47th Street.