'Idol' Taylor Hicks takes on Broadway
Well, the gray-haired, crazy-dancin' crooner hasn't made much of a splash since he took top honors on American Idol Season Five.
But starting today, Taylor Hicks will take a shot at being "the one that you want" in his Broadway debut playing the role of "Teen Angel" in "Grease." He's just another in a long line of "Idol" contestants to hit the Great White Way.
Others include: 2005 winner Fantasia Barrino ("The Color Purple"), 2005 finalist Diana DeGarmo ("Hairspray") and 2003 finalist Josh Strickland (Disney's "Tarzan").
Hicks starts today and will hold the role through Sept. 7. And apparently, Hicks and his "Soul Patrol" are so sure he'll be a hit, immediately after tonight's performance he'll celebrate his stage debut with a handprint ceremony at the Planey Hollywood in Times Square, tonight at 10:45 p.m.
We're pretty sure he's happy to sign autographs.
For those of you who want to relive the Hicks 'Idol' glory ... here it is:
-- Lauren Johnston
Comments (3)
I'd say he has made a pretty good splash. His CD has world wide sales of around 790,000 - 849,250. Not bad for any artist today and this was with very little radio play. He has been on back to back tours making even more money than his CD sales. He will be recording his next CD while in NY and has a DVD coming out soon as well has two early pre-Idol CD's. I'd say he's been a pretty busy guy. I wish him all the luck on Broadway and envy those who get to see him. He is the ultimate showman. I was lucky enough to see him in one concert and he just blew the audience away.
Thanks for posting this, Lauren. I think that Taylor Hicks will do a great job on Broadway. I saw him on tour at the Ryman Theater in Nashville and he and his band were fantastic.
Here are my favorite vids from AI:
You Send Me (Sam Cook):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsOgJNINAa0&NR=1
Try A Little Tenderness (Otis Redding): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BK2ZeIh1OTk
Something (Beatles): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKsJ6jxlWJo
You Are So Beautiful (Joe Cocker): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=na4HDTxEfWQ
Taking It To The Streets (Doobie Brothers):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXEybqPs6is
I'm sure he will be glad to sign autographs, too. He is a very nice guy, always takes time for his many, many fans.
He sure did sign a lot on his two back to back very successful tours. People were very anxious to get his signature on his two pre AI albums. They were such good albums and selling very well at the tour shows. He sure has made a "splash" with us and I know there will be a lot of his fans coming from all over the country to NY. I know of some coming from overseas.
Can't wait for his new CD. He is a great stage performer but an even better singer. An acoustic performance he did just lately was one of his best. Seems like he is at home on any stage whether it is a smokey bar or Broadway.