broadway shows

After nine inspiring, crazy, unpredictable seasons on the air, the only thing certain is that even an appearance on 'American Idol' can launch you toward off-the-charts success.

For a performer of any kind to make it to Broadway, though, you need more in your quiver than arrows pointing to image or personality. You need the solid, confident, cultivated talent that not only catapults a song across the footlights, but the chops to do it eight times a week. Acting ability, imagination, perseverance -- these are all key. The 'Idol' contestants and winners who have starred on the Great White Way know this. After all, if you've survived week after week, facing and conquering new musical challenges over and over, you're probably in good enough shape to make Broadway your home.

Quite a few 'Idol' favorites have come to the New York stage. Some stay for months, eating up the adoration of fans. Some are jazzed by the rigor of playing a role night after night. Some job in for a spell, then spearhead national tours, able to sing for the public wherever they live. However they do it, performing on Broadway is a mark of pride and distinction for nine 'Idol' favorites -- with the 10th set to arrive, we hope, later this year.<

As Allison mentioned in her review of last night's Glee, it was an awesome episode. The show featured some great songs, some great lines, and a few surprises about some of the students and faculty. If you haven't watched it yet, I won't give away too much.

My favorite song was "Defying Gravity," the ballad from Wicked, sung in a "diva off" by Rachel (Lea Michele) and Kurt (Chris Colfer), with each performance inter-cut with the other. They both have fantastic voices, and I'm in awe of Colfer's spot-on tone and intonation. Just gorgeous! But I have to agree with Allison that perhaps Rachel has the more Broadway-type voice that jumps off the stage and grabs you.

I don't know, though. It's a tough call as to which has the bigger diva voice. What do you think? If you were a Broadway casting director, who would you choose to sing this song -- Kurt or Rachel?



(Thanks to Rickey.org for posting the video.)

Having trouble staying awake today? This high-spirited trailer for Spike Lee's vibrant documentary/musical, Passing Strange, should help get you going.



We told you about Passing Strange back in May when PBS picked it up as part of its Great Performances series. Lee's doc is a filmed version of the theatrical stage production of the Tony nominated Broadway musical of the same name. It's about a young black man who travels to Europe in the 1970s to become an artist and live a bohemian lifestyle.