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Interview with Constantine Maroulis
And other happenings from today’s “Broadway in Bryant Park”
It’s still rock ‘n’ roll to him (Photo: Josh Kurp)
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Today was the third installment of “Broadway in Bryant Park,” sponsored by 106.7 LiteFM. While A Little Night Music, Falling for Eve and Chicago brought in their devoted fans, the real hot ticket was for Rock of Ages, especially because said ticket was free. If you were there today, you may have noticed an increase in females from previous weeks, especially of the teenage variety. That can be attributed to former-American Idol contestant and current-Rock of Ages cast member: Constantine Maroulis.
Encore spoke to Mr. Maroulis before the Rock of Ages performance:
How difficult is it working with a prerecorded track rather than a…?
I hate it, I hate it, I hate it. I don’t like to work with track. You saw how I was getting frustrated up there [during soundcheck]. It just doesn’t sound right. I’ve passed up probably a million dollars worth of business in the past few years on gigs that they wanted me to just come in with a track and perform, and I just don’t want to do it. It’s so inorganic. But sometimes, you’ve gotta do what you’ve gotta do, and this is a great opportunity to promote our show and people want to see us here. They want to rock out with Rock of Ages. For them, I do it.
What made you want to be a part of Rock of Ages in the first place?
I grew up in the theater and came from an acting background. I went to school at the Boston Conservatory and trained in all aspects of theater. And American Idol just kind of came about for me; I needed a job. I’ve always dreamed of creating a role on Broadway, and this truly was a dream come true. It started off as a small gig on the Sunset Strip in a workshop setting, and now it’s a big time Broadway and international hit. It’s been quite the blessing.
What’s your favorite song to perform from it?
I love them all. I grew up with all these songs. A great moment is the last song in Act I [“Here I Go Again”] because we all get to perform it together. Everyone comes back out. All the characters are on an emotional peak, and things are about to explode, literally. And Journey, you can’t beat that. “Don’t Stop Believin’” at the end of the show sends everyone home on a good note.
Between Rock of Ages, Glee and The Sopranos, “Don’t Stop Believin’” has taken on a pretty amazing second life in the past four or five years.
It’s iconic. It’s absolutely one of the biggest songs of all-time, if not the biggest song. It’s not something I can speak from through experience, as far as writing a great song—I’ve tried—but sometimes a group just connects on a song and it just works. The simple piano intro, the fantastic vocals, a great melody, the inspirational message, the just-enough level of cheese in there that makes it so universal and so appealing; it’s all so recognizable right away. It’s just got the hooks, man. It’s been a part of this show for five or six years now, so we didn’t copy Sopranos or Glee or any of that. But I’m glad it’s worked across all mediums.
Can you talk a little about the national tour the show is going on?
It starts September 21 in Chicago at Bank of America Theater, one of the most beautiful theaters in Chicago. I toured there almost 10 years ago when I was in Rent, and I’m looking forward to my return. There’s a big Greek community there, showing me a lot of love. I’m just excited to take the show out on the road; come September, I’ll have been here for two years, so it’s time to move on. We’re going to do a year on the road and engage the people who haven’t gotten to see it yet. I’m really looking forward to the tour and creating the show all over again.
If you could stage a musical around artist, who would it be?
Hm, that’s an amazing question. I love Queen, but I don’t think [We Will Rock You] got it right with their show. It had some success in London, but didn’t really work over here. I think there’s more potential with their songs and the Beach Boys songs, too. I dunno, there are so many greats. It’s all about storytelling, man, and great melodies. Maybe a real Beatles musical, like an Across the Universe but for the stage.
Here are more sights from today’s event:
The cast of Falling for Eve.
“All That Jazz” from Chicago.
Jason Patrick Sands, who sings “All I Care About is Love” in Chicago, is one lucky man…
…but not as lucky as whoever “Roxie,” a.k.a. Jill Nicklaus, is pointing to. She and Donna Marie Asbury are performing “My Own Best Friend” here.
“When I grow up, I want to be Roxie Hart!” But it’s sweet that Jill took the time out to sign autographs for her young fans.
Another day, another devil horn. The cast of Rock of Ages.
The view from the crowd.
Next week’s performers at “Broadway in Bryant Park”: The Lion King, The Addams Family, Wicked and Next to Normal.