After last night's top 4 performance, there are few things that are clear in this competition. Steven Tyler relishes in the thought of a trendy feathered earring, and Lady Gaga must have a personal vendetta against pants. If there's one thing that's unclear, however, it's who the front runner is in this competition. I feel like this season is one of the few seasons where I can't pick a favorite based on talent alone. There's such a vast array of styles being offered, particularly in this top 4, that it's hard to compare them to one another.
In what seems like eons since the American Idol contestants have had an interesting theme to play with, tonight they got a chance to sing songs from the extensive catalogue of Leiber and Stoller. And while tonight's theme selection has probably left most viewers scratching their heads, us theatre folk of course know that they're the guys who wrote hits like 'Hound Dog,' On Broadway,' 'Love Potion #9,' and 'Stand By Me.' Thank you, Smokey Joes Café!
Back in Season 3 of the Fox talent search juggernaut American Idol, then 16-year-old Diana DeGarmo narrowly missed the coveted title, walking away as the first runner up. Fast forward to 2011 and the now 23-year-old is currently starring as the iconic Doralee Rhodes in the national touring company of 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL, the Dolly Parton-scored Broadway musical adaptation of the cult 1980 film. The show performs a single-week run at the Segerstrom Center of the Arts in Costa Mesa from May 10 through May 15. DeGarmo recently chatted with BroadwayWorld's Michael Lawrence Quintos to talk about Idol, early shows, and her Dolly-fied role.
Just three weeks from now the American public will have dubbed their new idol, who will be one of five personalities that we've come to know and love- a scarf-tail lovin' rocker; a young, country heartthrob; a sassy, growling diva; a cutesy, southern powerhouse; and the guy who should play Effie in a gender-switched version of DREAMGIRLS. But who will it be?
It's getting down to the nitty gritty in Idol-land, with the season ten finale three mere weeks away. Three weeks! Where has the tie gone? While the bunch that's left certainly isn't the top five that I would have picked out, it's very difficult not to feel totally invested in their fates considering that I've been writing about their every move since January. I just love these kids!
So I have been spoiled here in Denver over the past several months with many excellent productions that included quality writing, standout performances, and great technical execution. It pains me to say this - mostly because of my love and admiration for Dolly Parton - but 9 TO 5: THE MUSICAL was not the fun musical romp that had every gay bone in my body singing the theme song.
This week on American Idol, the Top 6 sang songs by musica legend Carole King, and the previously saved Casey ABrams got eliminated for the second time. Check out photos from the episode below!
After 9 surprisingly entertaining Carole King-inspired performances the top 6 contestants who we've come to know and love, became the top 5 on tonight's elimination show. But who would be the next victim? Ryan started out the night by stating that MANY would be disappointed by tonight's outcome and I had tragic flashbacks of the Pia-elimination that shocked the country. Please don't let it be James!
After ten years of FOX dominating mid-week television ratings, NBC has finally responded to mega-hit ‘American Idol' with its own vocal competition- ‘The Voice.' It took them long enough! Premiering just last night, music stars Christina Aguilera, Adam Levine, Cee Lo Green, and Blake Shelton took a turn judging America's talent, seated in oversized revolving thrones that made Idol's panel look like a picnic table.
Right from the opening few notes of "9 to 5: The Musical", now performing at the 5th Avenue Theatre, the show wants to draw you back to connect with the original film. And while the show is a solid bit of fluff and definitely improved from the last time I saw it (but we'll get to that in a minute) occasionally those moments of connection get a little cheesy and desperate.
According to an audition notice, the musical revival of CARRIE will hold a development lab at MCC from May 25, 2011 through June 7, 2011. Stafford Arima will direct, Matt Williams will choreograph, and Mary Mitchell-Campell will musical direct.
From a Casey -on-JLo smooch to a shockingly awesome performance from Ms. Reinhart, last night's episode of American Idol was chock-full of welcomed surprises. Beginning with the unexpected performance from the already eliminated half of the top 13, the shockers just kept coming- perhaps the best of which being the sudden harsher-than-normal criticism from the judges! Finally some legit guidance for the voters that need it!
After the great Pia Toscano debacle of 2011, last week's elimination of Paul McDonald was refreshing to say the least. Though I can't deny that I already miss his uncomfortably white teeth and the kooky way he pranced around the Idol stage, it was his time to go.
Last night on American Idol, the top 8 sang songs made popular on the silver screen, and Paul McDonald became the next elimination victim. Check out photos from the episode below!
After last week's shock elimination, it seemed that everyone on the AMERICAN IDOL stage was especially aware of how quickly things can change. One minute, a contestant seems easily on top, and the next, they're out of the competition.
