'Idol' has finally reached the top 12 contestants of season nine, where they make the jump from a small, intimate stage to the full audience at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles. This is where the eventual 'Idol' winner will be crowned and it presents a new set of challenges to the singers, who now have a fill a much larger space with their talent. Luckily, many of the contestants were able to step up immediately, as the performances tonight were, in general, very strong. It was an excellent showing and proved why each of the contestants has earned their way into the top 12.
This week we are taking a listen to two wonderful releases from Broadway and West End luminaries John Barrowman and Elaine Paige. Though both have appeared on Broadway, Barrowman in PUTTING IT TOGETHER and Paige in SUNSET BLVD as well as an acclaimed appearance in SWEENEY TODD at City Opera, they are best known for their fantastic work on the West End stage, Barrowman having created roles in MATADOR and THE FIX and Paige having a legendary career creating such impressive roles as Evita, Piaf, Grizabella in CATS, Florence in CHESS, as well as THE DROWSEY CHAPERONE and other appearances in addition to a multi-decade recording and concert career. This could not be a more prescient time to discuss either of these two powerful performers: Paige, with her excellent weekly radio show on BBC Radio, and Barrowman with an upcoming multi-episode arc on ABC's DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES beginning this Sunday...
A night with a number of surprises rounded out the final separation of the guys and girls, as America found out the twelve contestants that will make up the finals of "American Idol." Each of the contestants sent home this evening had standout performance within the past three weeks and many contestants who did make it through were shocked at their fate.
"Idol" tonight saw the last separation between the men and women, with the top eight gentlemen performing before learning to the top twelve. The guys gave a solid show, showing versatility and an ability to adapt songs to their personal styles. It seems that, tonight, the guys as a group gave an overall better performance than the women did last night, in a surprisingly strong showing.
The Tony Award-winning Broadway production of HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical has partnered with Clear Channel New York to create 'Love Out Loud: A Donation of LOVE from HAIR on Broadway,' a series of fundraising auctions benefitting The Fresh Air Fund.
Last night, March 9, The Tony Award-winning revival of HAIR: A Tribal Love-Rock Musical welcomed a completely new Tribe on Broadway, led by American Idol alums Ace Young and Diana DeGarmo, and newcomer Kyle Raibko. BroadwayWorld was there to capture their debut.
Ladies night tonight featured the top eight women remaining on "Idol." On a night that Simon called "the worst night to go" and is widely regarded as one of the more important nights in the competition, several contestants came out strong, while a few made terrible choices that may spell the end of the show for them. It seemed a generally safe night for many of the contestants, but was entertaining nonetheless.
The Original Cast of the current Broadway revival of HAIR played their final performance last night on Broadway and we were there! The new Tribe will debut on Tuesday, March 9, at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, as the current cast takes the production to the West End, opening April 14 at London's Gilegud Theatre.
Four members of the remaining "American Idol" hopefuls had to be sent home tonight, and the results shows only grow more emotional each week. The evening began with the top twenty contestants singing the Black Eyed Pea's hit I've Got a Feeling and the song was just, well, awkward. This is not the type of song that lends itself to a group performance and the "Idol" staff showed us exactly why that's the case. The harmonies were odd, the rapping by many of the contestants didn't fit, and the song just sounded odd. Katie Stevens was the standout, as she seemed to actually be enjoying herself and was having fun with the song. (Perhaps this is more the type of song she should be choosing on a weekly basis?)
The women were back tonight and ready to perform after last night's last minute switch. The theme was still Billboard Chart Toppers and the night had some songs that were up to Billboard caliber. Others, however, fell flat, as contestants were again plagued by poor song choices. Of all the judges, Randy seemed most frustrated by the multitude of poor choices. Hopefully this is a skill that will come with time and the contestants will get better. Some of the ladies, however, knew exactly where they wanted to be and were spot on in their selection.
"Idol" surprised viewers tonight, sending the gentlemen on to perform instead of the previously scheduled women. At the top of the episode, Ryan Seacrest explained that fan favorite Crystal Bowersox was taken to the hospital and was recommended to not perform by her doctors. "Idol" producers, as well as the guys themselves, were accommodating and decided to go tonight and allow Bowersox the night to rest.
American Idol contestants Janell Wheeler, Ashley Rodriguez, Joe Munoz and Tyler Grady were the first four cut from the ninth season of the competition. In the video below, Entertainment Tonight talks to the foursome about their journey on the reality show.
The first results show of 'Idol' brought about at least one unexpected decision from America's votes, as 'Idol' said goodbye to four of the Top 24 competitors. The night featured performances from two performers from last year's 'Idol,' as well as the four losing competitors.
After last night's disappointing performance from the women, America, as well as the judges, was hoping from a step up from gentlemen. And, while they did have a better overall showing than the women, it was another disappointing night from the "Idol" contestants. Several of the performers were good, but none seemed to up the ante and knock their song out of the park.
In a year where 'Idol' is clearly pushing for a female winner, the first performances by the top twelve women was quite a letdown. Even the judges seemed to notice a rather lackluster group of performances from each of the twelve female finalists, with Simon seemingly growing more and more frustrated as the night went on. There were few bright spots in the evening that should have been a step up from the final performance in Hollywood, but none of the contestants progressed, with many of them taking a step backward on the first night.
According to the Huffington Post, American Idol Semi-Finalist Todrick Hall has caused some controversy regarding performance refunds for a show Hall wrote and directed.
AMERICAN IDOL's Top 24 semi-finalists walked the red carpet for their first star-studded special event held at STK + Coco de Ville in West Hollywood on February 18, 2010.
After learning the first seven of the Top 24 last night, tonight's episode left audiences in anticipation, waiting to see if their favorite singers would be selected through to the next round. Some of the choices seemed obvious (i.e. Andrew Garcia), while others left audiences wondering if they would receive good news or leave the judging room in tears.
