A Constantine Maroulis Print Media Site [entries|friends|calendar] Rocker's Paradise: Constantine Maroulis [ website | Rocker's Paradise: Constantine Maroulis ] [ userinfo | livejournal userinfo ] [ calendar | livejournal calendar ]

Q&A With Constantine Maroulis [22 Jun 2007|06:52pm] Q&A With Constantine Maroulis SOAP OPERA DIGEST. COM INTERVIEW BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL Interviews By Deanna Barnert Former season five AMERICAN IDOL contestant Constantine Maroulis joined THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL this year to play a singer named Constantine. Soap Opera Weekly: Are you following the fan reaction to your arrival at B&B? Constantine Maroulis: A little bit. The fan mail has been insane. They've been sending boxes back to New York for my assistant to take care of it. Weekly: Are you bi-coastal? Maroulis: I'm going back to New York tonight. I'm being honored at this massive Greek-American event called the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund. There's a lot of prominent Greek Americans there, like Bob Costas, Olympia Dukakis, Melina Kanakaredes (ex-Eleni, GUIDING LIGHT) from CSI, Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Pete Sampras. I'm receiving the Humanitarian of the Year Award. I do a lot of charity and I always have. I love it, but I guess now that I'm "somebody" it means more. But it has always meant a lot to me. Weekly: How do you like being out here in Hollywood? Maroulis: I've always loved it out here. I've been coming out here a long time. My brother lived out here for about 10 years. After the IDOL thing it was crazy for awhile. I'm a New Yorker. I have a way of blending in and not being noticed. The weather, the cars, the houses here are amazing. Weekly: Did you turn to anyone for tips? Maroulis: My good friend Frank Dicopoulos (Frank, GL) called me during my second week and said, "I saw you! You didn't tell me when you were airing!" Weekly: We had no idea you are such a tall guy! Maroulis: That's me! Between 6'3" and 6'4". Television, especially the way IDOL is shot, condenses. I also lost some weight since my time on the show. Weekly: Wasn't Shanelle Workman (ex-Gabby) on the show when you two dated? Maroulis: I wouldn’t say we were "dating." We met and went out a couple of times. We all became friends. That's how I met Adrienne (Frantz), who's also a good friend. That was when I was on IDOL. My favorite part of the day was the downtime I had where I could lay in my dressing room and do nothing. I would put on the live feed and watch rehearsals of B&B, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and some of the East Coast stuff. It was great, because we're so used to seeing the finished product at home, but it's great to see people casual with their scripts and their robes, going, "What the hell is my line again?" I first saw [Shanelle] there, and she came to rehearsal, and we all became friends. She's getting married now, which is great. We have the Greek connection. She's got some Greek in her, and I come from a huge, 100 percent Greek family. Weekly: So you could relate to My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Maroulis: Sure. I was there the first day, and it was a great movie. It was very stereotypical, but I think we could have taken that movie and put it into an Italian home, Spanish home, Jewish home, whatever. It's the idiosyncrasies of first-generation Americans. It's good stuff.

Constantine Maroulis takes time, finds his voice on debut disc [22 Jun 2007|06:50pm] Constantine Maroulis takes time, finds his voice on debut disc By Jill Menze, Billboard.com Tuesday, June 19, 2007 NEW YORK — Rather than rushing to put out an album fresh off of his run on "American Idol," season four contestant Constantine Maroulis opted to take his time crafting his debut. "I spent the last couple of years putting a little distance between myself and 'American Idol,'" says Maroulis, who became known on the show for his smoldering glances and leather jacket-clad rock star persona. "There were so many great things that came my way after the show and things I wanted to experiment with — the main thing being to find my voice and the sound I wanted to accomplish on my first album." After appearing in the Broadway production of "The Wedding Singer" and the off-Broadway play "Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris," Maroulis teamed with co-producers Jim Boggia and Marc Copley for his debut, "Constantine," which drops Aug. 7 via the singer's own Sixth Place Records. The first single, "Everybody Loves," is available on iTunes and was recently featured on the daytime soap "The Bold and the Beautiful." The Brooklyn-born Greek artist also has enjoyed a guest spot on the soap since May 14. His character, Constantine Parros, is based on the singer's real life, only "he's far more successful, and he's a rock star, if you will." On the show, his character heads his own record label, which parallels Maroulis' recent launch of his Sixth Place, named after his final standing on "Idol." Maroulis reports that he co-wrote four of the songs on "Constantine," which dabbles in hard rock, dance tunes and ballads. Even with the variety of sounds, Maroulis says he took a more commercial approach to the record's sound, as evidenced by the anthemic, Train-like first single. Elsewhere, "Girl Like You" is a "more uptempo dance-rock track" with a hooky chorus, and the ballad "Sister Sister" is "very Beatles-esque, and it hits close to home." Maroulis says his goal was to simply put out what he feels are a batch of good tunes. And although he acknowledges there were things he could have done differently to stick around longer on "Idol," Maroulis is content with how things turned out.

CMST CONSTANTINE CHAT [16 Jun 2007|08:46pm] CMST CONSTANTINE CHAT greekboy wrote:I'm in, I'm in....WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHPPPPPPPPPPPPPP??????????? sweetconni wrote: :waves: Nice to see you! Congratulations on the TV show and CD! greekboy wrote: THANK YOU!! Yeah things are pretty cool right now I guess... TinaRockerRose wrote: Hi Constantine, loved the show today !! greekboy wrote: Yeah the show was cool...I sat with my hand over my mouth going, "OMG, OMG!!!" LoveMyCon wrote: Hi C~ :waves: Where will you have the East Coast CD Release Party? greekboy wrote: YES we are planning one now. Not sure of the details. It will be in NYC on or right around the release date. You all will be the first to know. Jackattak wrote: Love all the new pic's of you.... do YOU like any of them??? Especially the Beautiful one on the main page of B&B???? greekboy wrote: The pix from the album shoot me and C Team all picked together...they are cool. Most proper shoots I get to pick the ones I like. We are shooting the CBS Gallery shot on Thursday. Then Emmy rehearsal. Mimi wrote: Are you wearing contacts now? greekboy wrote: nope...just wear glasses when I drive candigrl wrote: Hey C!! been wondering if you eve3r use those Wedding Singer *special mugs I made 4 you?? feel free to bring them over to your loft and share one w/Phoebe......tell her a diehard follower ,hehehe made them with VERY much love. :hearts: .. a long time ago... greekboy wrote: HAHAHA!! I USE THEM!! thanks~ blondie1310 wrote: Will GLY be on iTunes soon? greekboy wrote: this week I think if not next week Jmuse wrote: Can you tell we are just a little happy you are here?? You know we luv you?? :hearts: greekboy wrote: I love you too..xo littlemissanonymous wrote: Constantine, I never got to ask you if you liked the little descriptive story I wrote about you and gave you on your last day in Wedding Singer greekboy wrote: yes!! it was cool!! thanks.. oyricardo wrote: When should we start requestion it on the radio??? greekboy wrote: the various teams will let you know. in the next couple of weeks. it never hurts to do it early. ;) scarlett5124 wrote: Can I come over and play with the bubble wrap above the kitchen cabinets?? Did Athan leave you alone with the red magic marker again? Can you finally tell us what this picture is about? greekboy wrote: this pic is on location, on my friend Bart Capuano's movie. it is a short. it is weird. two of my other HS classmates are in it too. John Pepe and Brian Sgambati. Suzanne the Sixth wrote: Has Heather Locklear been on the set of the B&B yet? :waves: greekboy wrote: I wish... Daheera wrote: DO you miss NY??? greekboy wrote: always...shhh...I snuck home this past weekend!! greekiemars wrote: Con.. 2 questions: Is Juliana still doing your documentary? Is there a chance we can get you to do a Greek festival in Chicago at all this summer? Agape,Mari :waves: :hearts: greekboy wrote: yes. yes. as long as they want me and we can work it out I would play anywhere. blondie1310 wrote: I bet you are flying back and forth! Will Op Fest include any new songs? greekboy wrote: yes some songs that you haven't heard that will be on the disc... lindarn wrote: While you were home, did you go to the Tonys incognito? :thumbsup: greekboy wrote: nope. didn't even watch. taped it though. all about sopranos. MNJoviGirl wrote: Any chance of hitting Minnesota? Jodie B greekboy wrote: oh yeah..this fall!! blondie1310 wrote: Are you finished decorating your new LA apartment yet? greekboy wrote: needs some stuff still...it's nice though. palm trees out my window. nice terrace. pool. me like. Sekhmet wrote: I can't decide what to have for dinner tonight...what did you have? greekboy wrote: dinner just arrived. steak and veggies. water. cons.andy wrote: Yankees are on a roll! Woohoo! Bet that makes you happy! greekboy wrote: HELL TO THE YEAH!!! BEATING THE MULLET BACKS BAD TONIGHT TOO...WATCHIN' NOW ON SATELLITE Mimi wrote: Are you going to be on the show long enough to make a woman out of Phoebe???? :oops: greekboy wrote: sorry was snacking...uhhh....I hope so. Suzanne the Sixth wrote: Will you be singing any other songs on the B&B? greekboy wrote: yes. another one comin'...soon. callmemamagreekboy wrote: Both of my daughters have been singing GLY all day.....it's very catchy!!! greekboy wrote: sweet. me likey. sweetconni wrote: When will we know which cities you are touring, gb? greekboy wrote: when i know... ActingIsLove wrote: see constantine, one day i hope to have people admire and look up to me as much as we look up to and admire you! you have brightened all of our lifes...that is a fact greekboy wrote: that is so nice...thank you. go for it love!! PMUNKY01 wrote: Will venues for the up coming tour be similar to the ones last summer? greekboy wrote: yes i think so...hoping to get some dates with a big national along the way too. Jmuse wrote: Constantine, How can we best help you? Jm greekboy wrote: love eachother. cooperate. I wanna say this too...thank you to CMST for hosting this chat. Would love to do more. Yes, I have i-squad now but they do stuff you guys are not as equipped to do. The work you have been doing here at CMST has been amazing!! I hope it will only grow and continue. There are other sites that do promotion as well and I think that is great!! There are no favorites. It's all good. I encourage you all to work together. So much more productive. KLS can help along with the rest of the team. Motown Mama wrote: GB, did you talk to Adrienne Frantz or Frank Dicopolous before you signed with B&B? What advice did they give you about soaps? greekboy wrote: I spoke to Frank and he was very excited. He gave me some great pointers. I see A at work a lot cuz Y&R is across the hall. PMUNKY01 wrote: Any television appearances like Letterman or Leno scheduled to promote the CD? greekboy wrote: who is the fat guy in hat pic?? HAHA....saw Dane Cook and friends at LF last nite. good shit. MammaT wrote: Con you like your steak burnt ot a crisp or bloody as hell? greekboy wrote: burnt to a crisp Mimi wrote: So Kirsten is still your publicist? Yay! greekboy wrote: Kirsten works closer to me than ever. She is involved in all aspects of my career now not just PR. We have a PR firm working the set up for the record as well. In addition to the Sony/Red staff. Crazy. DJ wrote: This is great having all the fans from the various boards together. We need to do this more often. greekboy wrote: yeah..it's very nice :) NovemberRayne wrote: Are you ever going to sing Wild Horses? And Why was it on the list last tour and crossed out???? :sad: greekboy wrote: we never got to really work it. jim and i were gonna throw it together once. love to cover it sometime. Diana wrote: so Athan is going to be on your cd..that's great greekboy wrote: he did some back ups jyes wrote: Is Athan coming to LA? greekboy wrote: he will be here next week i think... Suzanne the Sixth wrote: Will Athan be involved in the tour this year? Will he sing? greekboy wrote: no singie but workie candigrl wrote: honest to god- this whole fandom is the closest thing i've experienced to the grateful dead - devotion road that i traveled merrily along years ago!! Never thought i'd feel this again and YOU are the reason..nearly died when i read/heard that you did too... ahhh it made sense why you struck me so deep..It's all tooo beautiful......made friends for life here and found the most INCREDIBLE performer to boot! greekboy wrote: Love The Dead...bought this great print with my birthday on it... Lea wrote: who is the orginal artist that sang it greekboy wrote: The Stones... Holly wrote: Hey Constantine I know I'm late....are you coming to the midwest? and Hey....are you having fun and enjoying your life and success right now? Congratulations, and thank you :) greekboy wrote: yesssss!! very hungry still. newcarolina wrote: Any Broadway in your future? greekboy wrote: if they will have me... Suzanne the Sixth wrote: Will there be any video with the cd? :hearts: greekboy wrote: yes. for EL first. jyes wrote: and of course, you have to come to Phoenix..Better yet, FLAGSTAFF...much cooler and great music venues- indoors and out! FREE MAN is the song that will make you the star who crosses all boundaries..north, south, democrat, republican..young, old...IMO You have sung it only once.. but your arrangement and performance were magnificent. It's BEEEOOOOtiful!! Will we hear it again...and my fav, Always On My Mind...and WHERE is Tee Shirt !!!! My CW friends want to know...(not shouting...sorry) greekboy wrote: only one of those made it... littlemissanonymous wrote: when will you start filming it? greekboy wrote: in like two three weeks Karen wrote: Are you still wanting to produce Broadway shows? Sign any acts on your record label? greekboy wrote: yes i would like to do both daluvscon wrote: Will cd be distributed in most stores? or just online? greekboy wrote: all stores and online Motown Mama wrote: Con, if you're still here...........besides you, who's the funniest member of the B&B cast? (I vote for Jack Wagner--love him!) greekboy wrote: Lesly and I crack eachother up. little one wrote: Constantine, My 18th bday is today! Could you make my day so much more special and wish me happy birthday?? Please? I love you! greekboy wrote: HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY!!! LOVE, C~ Vicky wrote: Do you have a favorite film director? greekboy wrote: COPPOLLA LadiOpal wrote: Looking for any co-stars? LOL! greekboy wrote: YOU ARE GONNA BE A STAR ON YOUR OWN!! ;) greekboy wrote: GOTTA ROLE KIDS...LOVE YOU ALL!!! LOOK OUT FOR THE E CARD AND MAKE SURE EVERYONE YOU KNOW GETS IT...LOOK FOR A COOL NEW CONTEST WE ARE GONNA RUN TOO...THANK YOU SUNNY AND THE GANG...YOU RULE!! THANK YOU EVERYONE ELSE TOO... PEEZ. ps Jason got a Dominos commercial...it's gonna be awesome. Look for his State Farm one currentlly runnin' pss Does anyone hve the E! red carpet stuff from last week?? best/worst dressed yada dada??? Daily 10 too??

[16 Jun 2007|08:44pm] Constantine Maroulis Releases Solo Album, August 7 Monday, June 11, 2007; Posted: 2:17 PM - by BWW News Desk Broadway and "American Idol" star Constantine Maroulis will release his debut solo album on August 7th, 2007. The albums is on the Sixth Place Records / Sony RED label. Maroulis debuted "Everybody Loves," the first song off the album, on "The Bold & The Beautiful" on Wednesday, May 15th 2007. "Everybody Loves" is currently available on iTunes. "Since his unexpected departure from 'American Idol,' Constantine has been hard at work, starring on Broadway in The Wedding Singer as well as in the critically acclaimed off-Broadway revival of Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Inbetween, he devoted considerable time and effort into finding the right band, assembling a talented group of musicians that meshed into a cohesive and rockin' ensemble. Constantine co-wrote several songs on the record and songwriters who lent their skills to the album include seminal singer/songwriter Willie Nile; Angie Aparo (Faith Hill); Marcel (Rascal Flatts); and Grammy nominated, Kevin Kadish (Jason Mraz)," state press materials. Maroulis recently became a featured star on The Bold and The Beautiful, which throughout his thirteen-week stint, will incorporate the star's music. "The album was cut live with my own band," Constantine explains. "No programming, minimal overdubs. We've been playing these songs on the road and chose the tunes that got the best feedback from our audiences."

Ex-'Idol' Maroulis Finds His Voice On Debut Disc [16 Jun 2007|08:43pm] Ex-'Idol' Maroulis Finds His Voice On Debut Disc June 12, 2007, 5:10 PM ET Jill Menze, N.Y. Rather than rushing to put out an album fresh off of his run on "American Idol," season four contestant Constantine Maroulis opted to take his time crafting his debut. "I spent the last couple of years putting a little distance between myself and 'American Idol,'" says Maroulis, who became known on the show for his smoldering glances and leather jacket-clad rock star persona. "There were so many great things that came my way after the show and things I wanted to experiment with -- the main thing being to find my voice [and] the sound I wanted to accomplish on my first album." After appearing in the Broadway production of "The Wedding Singer" and the off-Broadway play "Jacques Brel is Alive and Living in Paris," Maroulis teamed with co-producers Jim Boggia and Marc Copley for his debut, "Constantine," which drops Aug. 7 via the singer's own Sixth Place Records. The first single, "Everybody Loves," is available on iTunes and was recently featured on the daytime soap "The Bold and the Beautiful." The Brooklyn-born Greek artist has also enjoyed a guest spot on the soap since May 14. His character, Constantine Parros, is based on the singer's real life, only, "he's far more successful, and he's a rock star, if you will." On the show, his character heads his own record label, which parallels Maroulis' recent launch of his Sixth Place, named after his final standing on "Idol." Maroulis reports that he co-wrote four of the songs on "Constantine," which dabbles in hard rock, dance tunes and ballads. Even with the variety of sounds, Maroulis says he took a more commercial approach to the record's sound, as evidenced by the anthemic, Train-like first single. Elsewhere, "Girl Like You" is a "more uptempo dance-rock track" with a hooky chorus, and the ballad "Sister Sister" is "very Beatles-esque, and it hits close to home." Maroulis says his goal was to simply put out what he feels are a batch of good tunes. "I'm certainly no John Lennon; I'm not Coldplay. I'm a newer songwriter, and I worked with some guys that have done this for years and have had some great success," he notes. And although he acknowledges there were things he could have done differently on to stick around longer on "Idol," Maroulis content with how things turned out. "I'm not the sort of person to look back and regret," he says. "Again, I'm not changing the world, but I affect the fans that I have out there. And when I see how loyal they are and how much, when I have conversations with them, I change their life and stuff, I think, 'Wow, I've done pretty good.'"

Constantine Maroulis: Amazing New Artist [03 Jun 2007|08:27pm] Constantine Maroulis: Amazing New Artist CBS.com With all the amazing singing Phoebe and Rick have been doing lately, they were bound to attract some interest. Little did they know that an online clip of their Karaoke performance on amazingnewartists.com would bring someone new to town. CONSTANTINE MAROULIS of American Idol fame joins The Bold and the Beautiful as "Constantine Parros," a music producer and singer who takes particular interest in the sweet voice of Phoebe. CBS.com sat down with Constantine to find out more about this intriguing newcomer. CBS.com: Tell me how this role came about for you. CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: I was in New York finishing up my album, which comes out later this summer. And I had just finished up a few Broadway shows. [I was in] "The Wedding Singer" on Broadway. Then I did "Jacques Brel is Alive and Living in Paris" and we were actively looking for another part. The skies opened up and [Executive Producer and Head Writer] Bradley Bell gave us a ring. [He] wanted to see what our availability was and what our interests were and perhaps talk about the show and potentially a storyline that would involve me coming on the show and performing. We were just totally into it from the start. I'm a business person you know, and I love acting and I love singing but I understand that this is an incredible opportunity to reach a world-wide audience by joining a fantastic show with a great reputation, great acting and a great family atmosphere. It was a pretty easy decision. CBS.com: Was the fact that the character was a singer that attracted you the most? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: Sure. As an actor I studied at the Boston Conservatory, [and I think] any role is really a great challenge. Well, most of them. [Smiles] I think the opportunity to be able to perform and debut some of my songs from my new album on the show and be written into a great storyline was pretty amazing. CBS.com: How has this experience differed from your theater experiences? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: I think that the work and the approach to the actual work and the text doesn't really change that much. There's certainly a level of energy that's different in the theater because you're playing acoustically to three thousand people in a Broadway theater and here it's to the camera. But as far as the way you approach the work, the tools of the acting craft, they don't really change. What do I want in this scene? How am I going to get it? [You] just make strong, specific decisions. CBS.com: When you say you were actively looking, were you looking to get into Daytime Drama? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: Anything acting-wise. A challenging role that I could sink my teeth into. Something that had a great audience, a great team and that just made sense. Whether it was another Broadway show, whether it was film, a small film, television show, daytime, network, primetime, I think any actor just enjoys what they do. This was a great opportunity. CBS.com: Were you aware of how much B&B showcases musical talent? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: Absolutely. My mother and sister watched the show when I was growing up. I know the reputation of the show and how well received it is all over the world - the number one syndicated television show in the whole world. It's exciting to go from American Idol, the biggest thing here, to the biggest thing world-wide. And yes, I'm familiar with Ronn [Moss, Ridge] and Jack [Wagner, Nick] and their time on the show and their musical background. And my friend Adrienne [Frantz, ex-Amber] was on the show and she's a singer. The list goes on and on. And of course MacKenzie [Mauzy, Phoebe] is really, really talented. It's not much of a stretch, me being fascinated with her talents on the show in character because she's quite gifted. CBS.com: Being around all the other singers on his show, have you had a chance to talk about the music world at all? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: We haven't really had a chance to do that yet. We move very fast, so when you're called you're here for your block of time. You spend part of your time prepping in costume, hair and makeup. You rehearse generally, me and MacKenzie, off camera. Then we're here on set, we go over the blocking, we rehearse on camera and then we shoot it. It's not like Jack Wagner is waiting around to talk to me. I'm sure we'll get a chance to work together and I look forward to that. CBS.com: Are you done recording your album? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: I finished the album. It's all being mixed and mastered right now. And I started my own label - which is very similar to my character on the show. I started my own label. The record will be out in July and the first song on the album is "Everybody Loves, Everybody Cries." I'm looking forward to the album [being released]. I wrote a bunch of songs and I've taken almost two years to collaborate and put the right project together as far as my recording career. I didn't feel like I needed to jump right into the recording. I wanted to do some acting; I was developing a TV show for ABC and there's an MTV show, there's a Broadway tour. So I just wanted to feel it out for a little while. CBS.com: You've been busy. CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: I work my butt off but I guess when I look back, yeah, I've tried to do good work, good projects and things that will ensure me sticking around for a little while. I've built a good team around me and I'm excited about the future. CBS.com: When the producers approached you to perform on the show, did you already have in your mind what songs you wanted to sing? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: I did. It was sort of like Brad was reading my mind. He was also open to us making suggestions and they worked with us. I think we came to a great place with their input and ours as far as what we wanted to accomplish with a job like this. The rest was just trusting him and the writers to do their job which is to write great storylines. They were into a couple of my songs they had heard on my My Space and thought they would make good songs on the show. I had a good clean rock and roll song with lots of heart and it tells a good story. And the songs sort of fit into what we're doing on the show. CBS.com: Have they approached you about writing something original for the show? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: Well, I'm always writing songs. I'm always working, so you never know. Maybe we could do something like that. It would be pretty exciting. It's always a process. This album is done and I'm already thinking about the second and third one. It's just the way you have to stay hungry and I'm going to enjoy my time here and maybe we'll stay here longer, who knows. It's all dependent on so many different things. We're doing thing very unorthodox. We're [like an] American Idol doing an indie record on his own label, goes on another television show debuting songs. There are just all these really interesting synergies that are going on and we just want to see how they play out. CBS.com: Has it been difficult to juggle both your acting and music careers? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: Yeah, it's always a challenge. But I love it. I relish the opportunity. I love working. I mean, I haven't slept in like three days. [Laughs] I go back and forth to New York all the time. Last night I flew into New York, got there at 7:00 pm and was on a 7:00 am flight back here. Then we worked all day here. I'm off tomorrow which is nice. I do a television show for Yahoo! TV and it's an [American] Idol Buzz Session. It's really cool. I have my hands in lots of different things. CBS.com: So you've kept your connections with American Idol? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: Oh, yeah. We have a great relationship. I'm not signed to their management and recording company. We just have a great relationship, good friendship and they know I'm a great spokesperson for the show. I'm a huge advocate of the Idol experience and I have nothing but positive things to say about it. If I wanted to I think I'd probably think back and say maybe I could have done this or that differently and who knows, maybe I could have pulled the win out. But [I have] no regrets. I think it established me as a sort of underdog and gave me a great opportunity to create my own label and do my own thing. In this day and age and in this climate of music where the labels are all freaking out, I have a great fan base and I don't owe anyone any money. We might not sell millions and millions of records but who knows. CBS.com: Most new artists don't start out with an already established fan base. That had to have helped you. CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: It's a pretty interesting situation. I've been blessed with a tremendous fan base, a very loyal one. They come to me all over the world whether I'm doing a random appearance or performing in a pub or in a huge club. I think they're hungry for material. They want to see me on the road and they're really looking forward to [B&B] which is really cool. I think they enjoy the fact that I like to do a lot of different things. I also started a production company because I hope to direct plays and produce Broadway shows and continue to develop scripts and things like that. CBS.com: Having so many different interests, what do you consider yourself first and foremost? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: I have to say probably first and foremost I'm a singer. When I was younger in an effort to sing more, I got involved with plays and musicals and chorus and productions like that. And I got the bug, as they say. I really love acting. Now of course outside of doing great soap opera, I love doing Shakespeare. I'm a huge Shakespeare fan. I love the Greeks; I love Tennessee Williams. I'm very serious about all that stuff. I'd be content making enough money and then doing free Shakespeare in the park. That is the height of performance art for me. CBS.com: Singers seem to always be working on their acting skills on stage in their music performances. CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: Absolutely, I think so. You look at the great singers, [Frank] Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Nate King Cole and more contemporary artists, they are great interpreters of song and they're great actors. It's not a coincidence that they did movies and well because when you're so connected to a lyric and you interpret it and you communicate with the audience it's like you're telling them a story. Just like in acting. You're taking on a role and you're telling a story. When I was on Idol, I tried to interpret the lyrics. I tried to not just listen to how I was sounding and just sing the songs for the heck of it, but to really touch people. CBS.com: Were your parents always supportive of you taking this path in life? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: Not always. I think that they know that I'm good at what I do but thirty years later it's unlikely that I'm going to be going to law school. It got to the point where when I put myself through Boston Conservatory and I went on the "Rent" tour and I did Williamstown [Theatre Festival] and I started supporting myself and got my own place in the city and all that, then all of a sudden the whole Idol mania started. It was just great to them. I think it gave them a resurgence of youth. And honestly my family, we have this massive family, millions of cousins, aunts and uncles. We lost our cousin in the World Trade Center on 9/11, my cousin Gus, same name Constantine, and it really ripped us up for a few years. We didn't share holidays as much. But when I was on Idol it really brought everybody back together. And now, it's this second life with this soap that they're all excited about it, calling each other and they're all very happy. So hey, [coming in] sixth place [on American Idol] isn't so bad. It brought a lot of positive light into their lives. CBS.com: How are you feeling about your storyline on B&B? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: Listen, I'm just an actor. I'm here to do my job and let's hope that for my sake and for the audience at home that I don't have to do any Fabio, hair blowing in the wind, beach shots. I don't want to scare the kids away. [Smiles] MacKenzie and Kyle [Lowder, Rick] are great actors and they're really comfortable in front of the camera and I'm just learning every day. We all know people in common. It's really interesting what a small world it is. CBS.com: I think the fans' perception of you is that you are this suave, Casanova. Do you think that translates onto B&B? CONSTANTINE MAROULIS: I think at the end of the day, the character I play on the show "Constantine Parros," he is all heart. He is definitely a smart business guy who had his success and is settling into being a producer for a bit, just like Pharrell or Kanye West. They do their records and they produce other people. That's the climate that we live in. He really believes in Phoebe and her talent and he's falling in love with her ability and the idea of it. It's going to be an interesting summer. I hope people receive it well. I think I'll be more concerned when people are not talking about me. I look forward to it. I'm a blank canvas. My job is to serve the text of the show and further the story. Whatever that requires, I'm game.

NEW YORK'S WEIRDEST ENTOURAGE [18 May 2007|08:01pm] NEW YORK'S WEIRDEST ENTOURAGE New York Post By FARRAH WEINSTEIN May 16, 2007 -- PUT a professional football player, three actors, a reality star and a pop star in a room together, and what do you get? New York's surreal take on HBO's "Entourage." Meet the strangest, most random guy crew in the city, fixtures at every trendy bar every time they're in town. It's an eclectic group: NFL football player Michael Strahan, actor Seann William Scott (aka Stifler from the "American Pie" movies), Efren "Vote for Pedro" Ramirez ("Napoleon Dynamite"), pop star Ryan Cabrera, "Hostel" star Jay Hernandez and ex-"American Idol" contestant Constantine Maroulis. Go to their MySpace pages, and you'll see comments, pictures and blogs of them partying it up in the big city. Like on "Entourage," they're all single. But instead of hugging it out, they'll say, "Hit me up." Instead of Melrose Avenue, they shop on Madison Avenue. They shoot pool instead of playing video games. They throw quotes out from movies like "Anchorman," instead of "Scarface." They idolize Dane Cook. They hang out in expected spots like the VIP room at Slate or dive bars like the Hairy Monk or the Grand Saloon. They check out bands like Jet at Webster Hall, and go rollerblading at the Roxy. They take helicopter rides over the city together. They'll go to swanky hot spots like The Box, Room Service or Tenjune, and they get treated like kings. The man who brought the group together: "private concierge" Jay Galvin. He's the one who coordinates the entourage and filters all the text messages when Jay, Ryan or Efren are in town. Constantine, Strahan and Seann all live in the city and have places in California. Galvin claims to know "every doorman, and owner of every club and restaurant in the city," and his weekends read like a gossip magazine. Clubs pay him to be a networker, to rustle up the right celebrity guests. The entourage started a year ago with Constantine and Galvin, who met at a party. Constantine then introduced Galvin to Cabrera, and Galvin brought Hernandez, Scott and Strahan into the mix. When Hernandez and Galvin went to Vegas for the opening of the new Palms Hotel pool, they ran into Stacy Keibler, Shannon Elizabeth and Ramirez, who also became part of the crew. And so the entourage was complete - at least when they're all in New York City together. But they definitely make the most of it when they're here. "It's definitely a full-on experience," says musician Cabrera. "I usually have to prepare days in advance. "It's like a small family out there, and it's great because we all work very hard, but we love to have fun at the same time, and we are all friendly, real people - which is key. No one in our crew is stuck up or thinks that they are better than anyone else in the world, and everyone has a great head on their shoulders. It's a blessing to have such great friends." Says actor Scott: "It's great having a group of good pals to bum around the city with." "Jay creates a great environment for us to chill out," Maroulis says. "There is always the best table reserved, bottles of vodka on the table, plenty of Red Bulls and waters, and usually a bottle of champagne. Jay is notorious for his vodkas and cranberries. We'll meet Jay out front. Whether we show up together or at different times, he walks us right in, no lines, no covers and we get comfortable and he starts pouring drinks. None of us are disgusting drunks or anything. So, it's always a laid-back, fun time." Galvin - a handsome, stocky, long-haired guy who smells like shampoo and Jean Paul Gaultier cologne - is very protective and stands in front of the table blocking the group from pictures, and he's always on his Sidekick texting people. "We are all very low-key, and when I do see Strahan, we always talk about the Giants because I am a huge Giants fan," Maroulis says. "I love talking about sports with him from my rock 'n' roll perspective. With Ryan Cabrera, we talk about our little stories from the road." And of course, "sure, it's easy to meet girls when you're hanging out with football stars and rock stars." "It's very much the same as the show 'Entourage,'" says Telly Hatzigeorgiou, owner of Slate and the Greek restaurant Parea. "Everyone is on text messaging or e-mailing or Sidekicks and cellphones, and it's a whole, 'Where's the party?' scene. New York City is their playground. Jay Galvin is probably like Turtle [Jay Ferrara's character]. He's cracking jokes, he's having a good time and entertaining, and keeping everyone together. Constantine might be the Eric [Kevin Connelly] of the group, a little more businesslike. Cabrera is super-friendly and relaxed, maybe like Vince [Adrien Grenier's character]." Strahan, Hernandez and Seann William Scott are the playboys. "They like to check out the ladies. They just attract women," Hatzigeorgiou adds. "Ladies flock towards them." When they are done with the nightclub, everyone heads to Slate's VIP poolroom, where they get everything comped. "We all love to play pool," says Maroulis. "We play beer pong, shoot pool and act like a college kids. We'll bring friends and girls and we all hang out. Whenever I see Jay, he's always got someone hell of famous with him. "My time with the gang is a time well-spent," says actor Ramirez. "I can't speak for all people, but for myself and for other celebrities whom I have considered as brothers to me, I know that if we want to go out to any town, Jay will say, 'Give me a minute, let me see what I can do.' It's great to know this." In fact, one source says Galvin makes close to $1,500 from clubs to do exactly that - find the right hangouts for the crew. Despite that mercenary element, Galvin says the friendships - and the nights out - are genuine. "It's not like L.A., where the majority of the conversation is what you can do for someone," Galvin says. "No one cares how much money you make, how many movies you were in. If you're cool, let's hang out." N.Y.'s Weirdest Entourage Ryan Cabrera Age: 23 Profession: Singer/musician. Latest album, "You Stand Watching," currently in stores. Known for: Dating Ashlee Simpson, singing the pop song "True" and having spiky hair. Memorable "entourage" moment: "The night I lost a bowling match to Jay Hernandez and I had to take three shots back-to-back, which were vodka, tequila and Jack Daniel's. I took the first two, threw up in my mouth - disgusting, but like the champ I am, swallowed it and then took the Jack Daniel's shot right away. Damn, that was a rough one." Efren Ramirez Age: 21 Profession: Actor/DJ Known for: Propelling the phrase "Vote for Pedro" from "Napoleon Dynamite" into movie nerd-dom verbiage. Other movies include "Employee of the Month" and "Crank." Memorable "entourage" moment: "I remember being in New York, and Jay [Galvin] introducing me to other artists like Gnarls Barkley and Onyx and some of the members of 'Saturday Night Live,' bumping into Leo [Di Caprio], Haylie Duff, Lydia Hearst or the Olsen twins. The only trouble I have is the lack of sleep I get when I'm with the entourage. Let's just say every night is one to remember. Something new always happens." Seann William Scott Age: 30 Profession: Actor Known for: Playing Stifler in all the "American Pie" movies. Other movies include "The Rundown" and "Dukes of Hazzard." Next up is "Quebec" with John C. Reilly. Memorable "entourage" moment: "When Jay threw my 30th birthday party and took care of all my Minnesota pals on their first trip to New York. The night ended with one of my friends missing an eyebrow and sporting a partially shaved head." Constantine Maroulis Age: 31 Profession: Actor/singer Known for: Getting voted out sixth place on season four of "American Idol." Currently starring on "The Bold and the Beautiful." Memorable "entourage" moment: "There were many nights at Stereo last summer where it was crazy. I remember one night we left the pool hall, me, Jay, Jay's friend Phil from Long Island and Cabrera. We passed this huge building site with big tin walls and aluminum fences, and Phil was acting crazy and doing his best "Jackass" impression, and he was running straight into an aluminum fence. It was insane. We were laughing and he was hurting himself. All of a sudden, this huge homeless man opens the fence door. This was his house, and Jay put his arm around the guy and started charming him, and the next thing you know the guy is hanging out, dancing with us, he's doing stuff for money. It was hilarious." Michael Strahan Age: 35 Profession: Football player Known for: Sack king for the New York Giants. Bitter divorce with ex-wife Jean, which resulted in $15 settlement. Memorable "entourage" moment: "A few years ago Mike [Strahan] hosted my birthday party, and he danced with my mom who was 5-foot tall," says Jay Galvin. "And he's huge. It was so funny. He was like, 'I have to stop. I can't anymore. She's too much for me.' It was a fun moment. Now, every time he sees my mother he jokes, 'I have my dancing shoes ready.' " Jay Hernandez Age: 29 Profession: Actor Known for: Playing Daxton in "Hostel." Other movies include "World Trade Center," "Grindhouse" and the upcoming "Hostel: II." Memorable "entourage" moment: "I know a guy who operates a helicopter company in Manhattan, and Jay and I went one day," Galvin says. "We were eye-to-eye with the Statue of Liberty. It was amazing." Jay Galvin Age: 27 Profession: Former model, now private concierge. Known for: Claims to know "every doorman and owner of every club and every restaurant." Memorable "entourage" moment: Every night he's out, so he claims.

SOAPY IDOL [18 May 2007|07:59pm] SOAPY IDOL New York Post By FARRAH WEINSTEIN May 13, 2007 -- You might remember Constantine Maroulis as the "American Idol" contestant who seemed almost too cool for the campy reality TV sho. The Brooklyn-born rocker had his own band, long-haired locks and a streak of common sense that most contestants lack. Which is why it was a shock when the Greek rocker got voted off in Season 4, landing him in sixth place. This didn't deter Maroulis from pursuing his dreams, and he's been hard at work ever since, starring on Broadway in "The Wedding Singer" and off-Broadway in "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris," as well as hosting MTV's "Little Talent Show." Still, nothing could have prepared Maroulis for his latest stint: 13 weeks on the CBS soap "The Bold and the Beautiful." He makes his first appearance May 15. Maroulis plays an established recording artist - also named Constantine - looking for new talent to build his record company. "They [the B&B producers] called me up and came to me with this idea and I thought it was great. This character wants to blow himself up as a producer, like Pharrell or Kanye West," says Maroulis, 31. "It's sort of the hip trend right now." Maroulis has the biggest set -- a studio called Boldface Records -- on the B&B lot and he gets to schmooze with actors like Jack Wagner ("I grew up watching that guy!" says Maroulis), and makes a romantic play for the beautiful MacKenzie Mauzy (played by Phoebe Forrester). "It's a juicy, juicy plot and I have a beautiful girl to work opposite, and I'm going to presenting at the daytime Emmys with her," he says. "It's a great honor." Maroulis will also debut his first single on the show. "Everybody Loves, Everybody Cries," is off his new album, which still has no title but is expected to hits stores in July. "It's a classic American rock n' roll record with good songs and hooks," he says. "It's going to be exciting to fuse my time on the show with the audience of 'American Idol.'" Even idols need help, and Maroulis confesses to consulting an acting coach to help him emote. The coach was especially helpful with "holds," a technique that involves holding an emotion for 15 seconds before a commercial break. "The holds are a vital part of the show process," says Maroulis. "I was nervous about them because people don't do stuff like that. It's sort of silly, but it's fun. Usually everyone bursts into laughter thirty seconds after doing one." Maroulis, a graduate of the Boston Conservatory, feels it's "necessary to work with a coach. "It's always important to stay sharp. There are so many teachers to provide you with the tools to do what's right." Maroulis still keeps tabs on "American Idol" (he's a commentator on American Idol Buzz Session on Yahoo!), and this year he's rooting for Jordin Sparks. "I think she has the best upside," he says. "She has a lot of natural talent, but she needs to be coached. She's got a great presence and a great instrument. She's young and talented." THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Weekdays, 1:30 p.m., CBS

Constantine Maroulis On Life After Idol [18 May 2007|07:57pm] Constantine Maroulis On Life After Idol By Adam Bernard Wednesday, May 02, 2007 He had the stare that enraptured the hearts of millions of girls during his run on American Idol. His long hair and leather jacket had many thinking he was a bit of a bad boy, but the truth is Constantine Maroulis was, and is, a lot more Broadway than back alley. Maroulis’ Idol appearance actually came right after he had finished up a tour with the hit musical Rent, and after Idol he appeared in The Wedding Singer and Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris. Now, however, he is ready to hit listeners with an album, a little piece of Constantine to get people excited again, and this week I sat down with him to talk about his music, the disparity between his image on Idol and the real him, and why he says he’ll never fully consider himself a success. Adam Bernard: How was your American Idol experience? What do you feel you learned from it? Constantine Maroulis: It was just tremendous for me, the entire experience. I was somebody that was out there, sort of in the field. I went to drama school, I went on the road with bands and Broadway productions and had been through the whole audition process for ten years really, so I went into the experience sort of like wow, this is a job interview so I’m going to do my best, I’m going to show em what I got, I’m going to try and milk it for everything I can, if you know what I mean. Looking back on it I feel like I’ve learned a great deal. I feel much more comfortable on stage, in front of the camera, I have a great fan base that are very loyal and so dedicated and an opportunity to work with the best people in the business, probably an opportunity that I would have never gotten before. Adam Bernard: Are you back with the band you were with before Idol? What are you working on right now? Constantine Maroulis: Oh no, Pray for the Soul of Betty… I guess I left them about a year ago. Cool guys, we did our thing, but we never really had the time or the, I dunno, the X factor, if you know what I mean. We started the band right before I went on Rent tour and then I took the band on Rent tour with me. We played all around the country and that was a great experience, but we didn’t even know how to play as a band. We had a few songs, and of course when Idol sort of made that part of my storyline on the show they became very popular and people were really responding to the music and the vibe and it was sort of angry and pissed off, but it really wasn’t me. I guess I can be angry and pissed off, but I’m really a singer and I tried to maintain that alt-rock persona with the band and then go and sing “My Funny Valentine” on the show and it just didn’t work and I think it confused people because I do like to do a lot of different things, I like to sing in a lot of different styles. I love acting, I love Shakespeare, I’m a writer, a director, I like to dance, so I think I confused people a little bit, but now in this last year I’ve put this tremendous new band together of very experienced professionals that can play anything and everything. They’ve toured with everybody, they’ve been solo artists, it’s like a hand-picked New York band that is just great. We’re coming out with a record on my own label, Sixth Place Records. I’ve started this company and plan on developing it, the record side and the theatrical side. I also want to produce some plays. I figure I have the background and I know what the artist wants, as well. I’m an actor of the stage and I think as a producer I can accommodate the actors and really put together a great show. There are so many young, talented, people out there that I would like to work with and develop, so I think that would be great. Adam Bernard: So tell me your list, who would you like to work with that you haven’t worked with already? Constantine Maroulis: Oh wow. Sure there’s your wish list that’s just untouchable. I grew up worshipping U2 and classic rock like Led Zeppelin. I love Norah Jones, I think she’s amazing and really gifted. I think that John Mayer is doing some really great things right now. He was at Berklee (College of Music) when I was at Boston Conservatory and I did my minor at Berklee. He ended up leaving kind of early, I think he left after a semester or two, but he’s doing OK now. And do you know what I love about John Mayer and what he’s doing? He’s been at it almost ten years now and he came out with the pop songs and he got people hooked in, but he’s really showing people what he’s made of these last few years. He came out with that cool Trio record where he was shredding the shit outta that guitar, and now his songwriting has gone to other places and it’s worldly and inspirational. He is really a very gifted musician and I think a lot of people didn’t realize that at first. I hope to have that sort of success and I’d also love to do movies and get into more acting. Adam Bernard: You’ve spent a significant amount of time on the road. When you’re on tour what do you like to do when you hit a new city? Constantine Maroulis: When I first get into a new little town I just go for a walk. I usually go grab a cup of coffee somewhere, talk to some of the locals, get a feel for the vibe of the town. I walk around, check out some coffee shops, go into some vintage stores because they have the best clothes and they’re cheap, unlike in New York and LA where they’re more expensive than when you walk into some boutique or some fancy store. I also like to go into old record stores, look through those. And I always ask what the best restaurants are and try to get to one of those. Adam Bernard: What’s most important to you in this world? Constantine Maroulis: I think it’s gotta be my family. I’ve put them through it in my life. I really have. They didn’t know what to think of me for a while there. I said I wanted to be a singer, I wanted to be an actor and they said how are you going to do this, how are you going to do that? They were so worried about me, but they always supported me in their way and I have a great brother and sister who are much older but they’ve always been very supportive. Sometimes I have a hard time saying it or showing it but they mean the world to me. I do it for them, I’m always seeking their approval, even still, even though now my father, who is sick, thinks I’m like a big star, he doesn’t know the real ins and outs of what I do, but it’s pretty awesome to have that approval. So yeah, I think family in general. Listen man, I’m sort of a role model. I’m not perfect, but I’ve stumbled into this situation where lots of little kids look up to me and what I do and they think I’m cool and all this stuff and I have a responsibility to them and to the rest of the fans, I feel. I’m not some street punk, but I have a bit of mileage on me, I’ve been around the block and I do have a responsibility to them to behave and to conduct myself in a way and not be afraid to say that family means a lot to me and they’re a huge inspiration and they’re a huge part of what I do. Adam Bernard: Complete this sentence: I will consider myself a success when… Constantine Maroulis: I don’t think I’ll ever just consider myself a success. I think when you do that you sort of sell yourself short and that hunger goes away. As long as I can stay hungry I feel I’ll be able to achieve everything that I want to do in this life. I try and surround myself with great people that create a positive environment for me and a great creative environment. I’m very excited about my professional teams that I’ve put together and I’ve taken the time and put enough space between myself and my time on the show where I feel like I’ve found my voice, I’ve found my songs, I’ve found my place in the recording industry and I’m excited about putting this album out and I think that people are really going to respond to it. I’m a pretty humble guy, I think people have the wrong impression of me sometimes and they feel I come across cocky but when I perform it’s different, you sort of take on a different animal and sometimes it’s a little sex, it’s a little confidence. I grew up with a good family around me, I’m a pretty humble guy, I don’t think I’ll ever consider myself too successful. I keep it kind of low. I live in a small apartment, I’m pretty frugal, I haven’t even had a vacation in the last five or six years. To spoil yourself and just go away on an island somewhere? I don’t even remember what that feels like.

Betting on the wiles of a singing idol [18 May 2007|07:53pm] Betting on the wiles of a singing idol Constantine Maroulis was an 'Idol' finalist MediaLife.com By Toni Fitzgerald May 3, 2007 Ratings for daytime dramas have been declining for years, and among young women that dip has been especially sharp. Nearly all the soaps have posted double-digit losses among women 18-34 the past two years, and the worry is that they’ll start dying off if a new generation of viewers doesn’t start tuning in, and soon. So how does daytime TV draw in those new viewers? Perhaps by doing what worked for primetime: Turn to reality TV. On May 15, former “American Idol” finalist Constantine Maroulis, he of the dark eyes and unkempt hair, is joining CBS’s “The Bold and the Beautiful,” this season’s second-ranked daytime drama among households. His new role won’t be much of a stretch. He’s playing music producer Constantine Parros, a potential love interest for heiress Phoebe Forrester, and he’ll be performing songs from his soon-to-be-released first solo album on the show. It’s no surprise that “Bold” would poach from “Idol” in a bid to woo younger viewers. Though the soap is near the top among households, it ranked second-to-last among the nine daytime dramas in women 18-34 last season. Hiring Maroulis not only guarantees the show some needed buzz, at a time when most soaps are buzz-less, but also gives it some artistic legitimacy. Suddenly “Idol” has become a breeding place for outstanding talent, what with Grammys for seasons one and four winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, respectively, as well as the recent Oscar for season three finalist Jennifer Hudson. Maroulis, who made the top six on “Idol” two years ago, is a graduate of the Boston Conservatory and recently appeared in the Broadway musical “The Wedding Singer.” He’s still tremendously popular among “Idol’s” main audience of viewers 18-49, as evidenced on his MySpace page. He has more than 20,000 friends and more than 37,000 messages from those friends, nearly all of them females and many of them already anticipating his “Bold” debut. “Only 13 days to your debut on B & B. Can t wait to see you rock them. Tivo is set up. Wanna keep these episodes,” writes one fan. Types another: “Love your voice and can't wait to see you on The bold & the beautiful! Keep in touch. Luv-Senora.” Maroulis is not the first “Idol” castoff to join a soap, though he’s certainly the most well known. Season three’s Matthew Metzger, who made it only to the semifinal round and thus received nowhere near the exposure of Maroulis, was brought on ABC’s “One Life to Live.”

[06 Apr 2007|08:26am] American Idol cast on B&B! Tuesday, April 03 2007 It looks like Bold and the Beautiful is going to have a rockin' summer! American Idol alum Constantine Maroulis will appear in a storyline this summer that involves him doing his rock 'n roll "thang" (as Idol judge Randy Jackson would say) AND romancing a certain young Forrester model. Yes - Phoebe! What does this say about her "love" for Rick? Stay tuned! Constantine only placed 6th in the fourth season of American Idol, but he has enjoyed breakout fame since leaving that infamous stage. He has appeared on the Ellen Degeneres show, The Tonight Show and MTV's Little Talent Show as a judge. He played the role of Sammy in Broadway's "The Wedding Singer" in the fall of '06. Constantine also appeared in an Off-Broadway musical review "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris" in early '07. Constantine's first air date is mid-May. But, there's more! Soaps.com sources have heard that B&B Executive Producer and Head Writer Brad Bell has provided more scoop: "Constantine isn't the only Idol we'll bring to the show this summer."

'Idol' Tackles Forresters [06 Apr 2007|08:23am] 'Idol' Tackles Forresters SoapOperaNetwork. com A second reality TV star joins the CBS drama series "The Bold and the Beautiful." The soap that brought Phyllis Diller and Fabio among others to daytime is bringing former "American Idol" Constantine Maroulis to the canvas this summer. Maroulis who hails from New York City was voted off the hit FOX reality show during the sixth week of competition. The self proclaimed rocker and writer will be playing a character very much like himself. No airdate for Maroulis was specified however the Broadway star will be sharing a storyline with Mackenzie Mauzy (Phoebe) and Kyle Lowder (Rick). The character who is yet unnamed will become infatuated Phoebe Forrester and want to become her music producer. Soap fans can expect a love triangle to form through the hot summer months. In addition to this latest casting new executive producer Bradley Bell teased, "Constantine isn't the only Idol we'll bring to the show this summer." "B&B" is a Bell-Phillip Television production, broadcast weekdays (1:30-2:00 PM, ET; 12:30-1:00 PM, PT) on the CBS Television Network. The show received seven Emmy nominations including "Outstanding Drama Series."

Talk with Constantine [31 Mar 2007|07:36am] Talk with Constantine By: Rodney Ho | March 27, 2007, 1:00PM EST Constantine Maroulis, the season four finalist who never met a camera he didn’t want to caress, has nabbed a role on the soap “The Bold and the Beautiful” this summer for 13 weeks — playing an exaggerated version of himself. “He will be a more established pop star/producer/label owner. He will discover this girl Phoebe and want to make her a big star. He will get caught up in a love triangle.” He was calling on behalf of Yahoo! He does an online TV show each week about the “Buzz” trends based on Yahoo searches on Idol. “Idol has been very good to me and I love talking about the show,” he said. “To be a significant player in the history of the show means a lot to me.” He calls this year’s crew “pretty lackluster” compared to seasons four and five, especially the guys. Who he thinks is going to win is the same as Nigel: Jordin Sparks. “She’s the most talented, the most diverse, the most powerful,” he said. “She’s cute and marketable. I bet she’ll have the most successful recording career.” He thinks Sanjaya has a couple more weeks left in him. And he believes Blake is doing well out of default among the guys and Chris Sligh “has fallen off the map.” Talking from his apartment in New York City, he was very personable and it certainly helped that we were talking about him. And naturally, he’s working on a self-titled album, which he will release independently this June with Sony as his distributor. It will be rock-pop, radio songs with hooks. “This is the new age of the independent sector in music,” he ntoed. “I think everyone has a chance to become their own Clive Davis.” He said he’s grown up with an entrepreneurship mentality, cutting lawns and shoveling snow. “You have to be your own business, create your own brand,” he noted. The soap opera will play some of his songs. He will consider it great marketing. Maroulis admits his career hasn’t skyrocketed since “Idol” but he feels he’s done some good quality work, including “The Wedding Singer” on Broadway. He was disappointed he couldn’t turn a sitcom idea with ABC and Kelsey Grammer into an actual show.

Constantine Maroulis Returns to the Tube [31 Mar 2007|07:34am] Constantine Maroulis Returns to the Tube ET Online March 28, 2007 It was a rocker shocker when CONSTANTINE MAROULIS was voted off of "American Idol," but now the gorgeous Greek music maker is returning to the tube this summer as a cast member of "The Bold and the Beautiful," TV Guide reports. "We're going to blur reality à la 'Entourage' and have Constantine play a fictional version of himself," "B&B" Executive Producer BRAD BELL told the magazine. Look for Maroulis to be involved in the Phoebe/Rick storyline -- he will initially join the soap as a possible music producer for Phoebe.

THOMPSON HONORS FIVE NEW YORKERS AT SIXTH ANNUAL GREEK HERITAGE AND CULTURE CELEBRATION [27 Mar 2007|06:29pm] THOMPSON HONORS FIVE NEW YORKERS AT SIXTH ANNUAL GREEK HERITAGE AND CULTURE CELEBRATION Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. honored five New Yorkers at his annual Greek Heritage and Culture Celebration on Thursday, March 22, 2007. The event was co-sponsored with the Hellenic American Neighborhood Action Committee (HANAC). Addressing several hundred people at City Hall, Thompson said: “Today, New York City is home to the largest Greek population anywhere outside of Greece. And every year, Greek Americans play increasingly prominent roles in the life of our city.” “In business, growing numbers of Greek Americans serve as leaders, playing key roles in New York’s economic life. Teachers, entrepreneurs, artists, doctors – Greek Americans are leaders in a wide range of professions. And from Astoria to smaller Greek American communities elsewhere in the five boroughs, Greek Americans are keeping cultural traditions alive, teaching children about the history, language, and customs of Greece.” Thompson continued: “Tonight, we are paying tribute to this rich heritage and we are honoring a distinguished group of Greek Americans who are all achievers in their fields. They have provided outstanding leadership in the past and the present, and they are all an important part of our future.” The first award went to Constantine Maroulis, a former finalist on “American Idol.” Maroulis additionally has appeared on Law & Order: SVU and was a part of the cast of the Broadway musical “The Wedding Singer” and the off-Broadway production of “Jacques Brel is Alive and Living in Paris.” He lends his support to a number of local and national charitable projects that support the Broadway community and a variety of other organizations. Journalist and award-winning author Nicholas Gage was the second honoree. Gage was an investigative reporter and foreign correspondent for 10 years with the Associated Press, the Boston Herald Traveler, the Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times. He is the author of the award-winning novel, Eleni, which is about his plight growing up in Greece, and the life and death of his mother, who was killed in the Greek civil war. Gage served as co-producer of the movie version of his novel and as Executive Producer of The Godfather, Part III. He has held the post of President of the Paneopirotic Federation, and was an active member of the Order of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association. The next award went to medical and community leader Eva Kosta. Dr. Kosta is a Manhattan-based cardiologist in private practice, as well as a clinical instructor at New York University Medical School, where she teaches second-year students. She is a member of the American Heart Association and the Hellenic Medical Association and is involved in many community activities. Peter Pappas, a business leader and community leader, received the next award. Pappas currently served as President and CEO of P.J. Mechanical Corporation, and owner of Delta Sheet Metal and Expert Installation. He also is an accomplished real estate developer in New York, South Florida and Sacramento, California. Pappas is active in the Greek-American community, and serves as a member of the Archons of St. Andrews, Archdiocesan National Council, Leadership 100, and National Chairman of the Cyprus Children’s Fund. He also is a board member of the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation, as well as the Michael Wolk Heart Foundation. The final honoree was spiritual leader The Very Reverend Eugene N. Pappas, a revered theologian, ecumenist, social activist and media commentator. He presides over the Three Hierarchs Church in Brooklyn and serves as the President of the New York Archdiocesan District Presbyters’ Syndesmos. Rev. Pappas is the former National President of the Archdiocesan Presbyters’ Council and a former member of the General Board of the National Council of Churches of Christ. A noted lecturer and public speaker, he is producer and host of WNYE Radio’s program, “Matters of Conscience,” a chaplain of the State of New York Fraternal Order of Police, and an Orthodox Theology Instructor at the Xaverian Catholic Diocesan High School in Brooklyn. Students from Three Hierarchs Parochial School in Brooklyn sang at the event.

Interview With A Fan [28 Feb 2007|02:59pm] Interview With A Fan By: Alli Alli: Well, obviously, you’ve been in several musicals, which did you like the most and why? Constantine: You know, I never really have a true favorite. At the end of the day, I’m just happy to be a part of a good production and have a good job and….you know, I find just doing different shows, and different theatre from Shakespeare to Broadway, is just some of the most exciting work to be a part of. So, I’m just happy to have a job usually. And, you know, things have changed since American Idol, and now I guess there’s just more of a spotlight on me when it comes to doing a show. But, I still feel like, I’m, you know, 13, just part of the ensemble. I don’t feel I’m any different than anybody else and I’m just glad to be in a good show. Alli: What do you think your greatest experience is in being in such big plays, like the Wedding Singer, or in being in huge shows, like American Idol? Constantine: I think, um, working with amazing people, um, is some of the best stuff you can imagine. You know, I learned so much every day working with Bob, and with Gay, and with Jayne, and they’re so experienced and so talented and they teach me so much every day. Every day, it’s a different journey. Same with the Wedding Singer, what a tremendous ensemble it was to be a part of and, they made me feel right at home. And, you learn a lot about yourself. You learn to trust your instincts; you learn that everything you’ve trained for and worked so hard for, you know, you can now implement all those things into your work. You know, that’s what’s pretty cool. All the training, all the studies, and all that, you know, it’s sort of left at the stage door and you go in there and you just go for it. You know, no one wants to watch an actor that’s too trained or too technical. Um, but it’s crucial to have all those things, you sort of forget about them and trust your instincts. Alli: So now that we’ve understood your acting and everything, what about your music? When is your CD coming out? Constantine: Well we’ve been working since I left American Idol on this album, um, just trying to compile the best group of musicians and writers and collaborators and such, I possibly can. Went out on the road, toured a lot of the material and such. We’re finally well into the process of actually recording the album and we expect it to be released in June sometime. Alli: Oh, that’s great. Constantine: Yeah, very excited. Alli: So what do you think your greatest musical influences are? Constantine: Probably, my family; my brother and my mother are very musical. My sister is in the arts, as well. And, they got me listening to great music early on. From Nat King Cole, to great show tunes, and my brother got me into rock and roll, the Doors, the Stones, Jimi Hendrix and into cool underground music, also, um, like the Cure, and U2 early on, and such. So, yeah, I think just all sorts of stuff. I’m influenced by many many different styles of music. Alli: Ideally, if you had to choose, would you rather do acting or singing? Constantine: I love doing both really. I think, you know, both crafts are a huge part of me and one betters the next. You know, I feel like when I’m a better actor, I’m a better singer. When I’m improving on my singing, I’m a better actor, as well. So, I think um, I enjoy doing both. I hope to continue doing both for a long, long time and I just want to do good projects. Alli: Well you’ve done a lot already. Constantine: I’m working on it. Alli: So, American Idol, do you still keep in contact with anyone from American Idol? Constantine: I do, yeah. I’m in touch with Bo; I’ve seen Anthony a bunch, Nadia, Mario Vasquez. Carrie and I email once in a while. Some contestants from other seasons that I’ve sort of run into, Diana, um I see her in NY a lot because we do a lot of press together and such. And, uh, yeah, I speak to a lot of the producers and friends and some of the judges once in a while. It’s a big family, you know. And, despite what some people say, the experience for me was amazing, and I met some great people, and people that I’ll always be friends with. Alli: Are you a fan of anyone from any of the other seasons? Constantine: Am I? Alli: Yeah, do you follow anyone? Constantine: Yeah, I’m a big fan. I love Kelly, and Carrie, what she’s doing. I think Chris is doing great things with his record. I like to think that we opened the doors for some of those cats from last season to really be more prepared in going into the season, to really take full advantage of the situation. I’m very happy for them. Alli: Do you feel that it’s harder to gain respect, in a way, from being on American Idol? Constantine: I think it’s certainly, um a stigma attached to being a part of American Idol and the sense that it’s a reality show, or whatever. But I think ultimately, at the end of the day, it’s about talent. And you know, when you see what Jennifer has done, and you know with Kelly and Carrie has done, sold millions and millions of records and how massive it’s gone. I think it’s sexier than ever to be a part of American Idol. And, people realize that this is a tremendous platform, um, for undiscovered talent. And, it’s just a great way to find people to fit into whatever needs you have, whether it’s Broadway, films, television, writing. Um, people have gone on to great careers, so people that you don’t necessary hear about every day. Josh Gracin is tearing up the country charts, you know. And uh, Tamyra Gray is a great writer as well as a performer. These are people, you know, outside of the total obvious. You know, I have broad shoulders, and uh, I’m confident in what I do, and I do good work, and I have a good team around me. So, I feel that that stands on its own. Alli: So I heard somewhere that you said you were going to be on the season this year, that you were going to make a presence? Constantine: I don’t have any comments on that, but, you know, I love American Idol and I’ve been very supportive of them, and of course, they’ve been greatly supportive of me and I’m very grateful. Um, so uh, if they need me, they know where to find me. I’m going to be doing a lot of television coming up, in support of the show and my own efforts as well. So, I’m sure that we’ll find our way on the show somewhere this year. Alli: So what is the greatest practical joke you’ve ever played on anyone? Constantine: Um…I can’t recall. Alli: No? Constantine: No… Alli: What’s your favorite movie, and why? Constantine: My favorite movie…probably the Godfather I & II. I just think that it’s beautifully written, so beautifully crafted, tremendous performances, great history, great American history involved, and its excellent direction. It’s just a classic that I can watch over and over again. And they’re almost like one movie, Godfather I & II. So, I think, hands down, that’s probably my favorite movie. Alli: What about music? What’s your favorite bands that you listen to? Constantine: There’s so many, so many that I love. Um, classic rock from the Doors to the Stones, Zeppelin, and Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, great jazz artists, Nat King Cole, Sinatra, you know, Dinah Washington, and great contemporary artists like U2 and Bon Jovi, (Cleat?). On the charts now, I mean I love, I love the Killers; I like the Fray; I like what they’re doing. I like, Kelly Clarkson, um…I like a lot of Pop. Alli: Okay, um, so….are you single now? Constantine: I am. Alli: You are? Constantine: You know, I’ve been dating. I’ve just been really busy. It’s hard to find someone that really fits into your life. You know, um, so yeah. Alli: What do you look for in a girl? Constantine: Um, smart, funny, confident, career-minded, um, laidback, conservative… (as I laugh, he rambles on in a cute way haha) Alli: Okay..um… Constantine: …feminine…attractive…beautiful (laughs, then I laugh)…all those things (smiles) Alli: What about a fan? Constantine: Um…it’s not that I discriminate against dating a fan; I just think that it’s probably not the wisest thing to get involved with. Because, you know what I like? I like meeting a girl who almost doesn’t know who I am, doesn’t know much about me and can learn organically like who I am, what I’m about. Not just because I was on television or some show. But, um, I’ve, you know, met some…amazing fans, that are beautiful women and that um, I would certainly consider dating. But, again, I think at the end of the day, there’s a little red flag there. Alli: What do you believe is your greatest accomplishment in your life? Constantine: Um…I’m not sure; I don’t think that I’ve achieved it yet. Alli: That’s a good way to think. Constantine: I’m still very hungry and um, I set my goals very high. And, I want a lot out of this life and my career. So not necessarily, you know, fortune and fame, I just want more work, better work, great roles, great musicians to collaborate with. There’s so much I want to accomplish, so, I don’t think I’ve gotten there at all yet. Alli: Okay, that was really good. Constantine: It’s all good? Alli: Yeah… Constantine: Alright, thank you for your time.

Wyckoff native Constantine Maroulis moves beyond 'Idol' fame [13 Feb 2007|12:10pm] Wyckoff native Constantine Maroulis moves beyond 'Idol' fame Tuesday, February 13, 2007 By JIM BECKERMAN STAFF WRITER When we die, it's possible that we'll have to answer to an even higher judge than Simon Cowell. That thought, embodied in such bittersweet songs as "My Death" and "Le Moribond" ("My Last Supper") by Belgian songwriter Jacques Brel, certainly helps keep fame in perspective, says former "American Idol" contestant Constantine Maroulis. Through Feb. 25, he is appearing in an off-Broadway revival of the cabaret show "Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris." "Every night, when I do this show, I discover new things about myself," says the heartthrob singer, originally from Wyckoff, who won a measure of renown in 2005 by placing sixth on the hit TV show. Like some other "American Idol" contestants who technically lost (Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken), Maroulis' career has had a kind of radioactive half-life. A favorite with many viewers, he has stayed in the public eye ever since, with appearances on TV shows like "Law and Order: SVU" and "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno." But "Jacques Brel" is about more than looking good and carrying a tune. Every night, Maroulis appears with three other nervy singer-actors and a trio of musicians on the tiny stage of the Zipper Theater on 37th Street in a series of angry, passionate, sometimes wickedly funny songs about war, love, poverty, homelessness, old age and government hypocrisy. These are intense songs, little three-minute musical dramas that require a first-rate actor as well as a singer. Beyond that, they require someone who has had a bit of rueful life experience to give the songs a lived-in feel. Luckily, Maroulis has had enough experience in his 31 years for several lifetimes. "It was a difficult process to go through, the whole 'Idol' thing," he says of his TV-celebrity roller-coaster ride, which began in 2004 when a friend persuaded Maroulis, then the frontman of the rock band Pray for the Soul of Betty, to put the rest of his life on hold to try out for the hit show. Maroulis, then age 28, was one of the oldest contestants to make it to the finals. "I started to really feel the pressure," he says. "I thought, If I can really do well on this show, it could be tremendous for my career, but if this didn't work out, if I had to go home early, I'd be such a chump. The whole world would see me go home early. There were mornings when I would wake up out of bed and run into the bathroom to throw up. It was crazy." Though ultimately his rendition of Nickelback's "How You Remind Me" did not sway voters in April 2005, what he calls his "underdog" status resonated with many viewers, he says. "You can't even buy that sort of love," he says. "The fact that people rooted for me and rallied behind me and felt I was gypped was great, in a way." In any event, he had plenty of existential pain to tap into when, last month, he joined the cast of "Brel" toward the close of its one-year run. And being a trained and experienced actor (he had played the lead in the 2003 national tour of "Rent"), he knew how to convey that pain to the audience. "[Director Gordon Greenberg] said, 'Everyone knows you're a great singer, but the singing is the least part of this,' " Maroulis says. "I need you to be alive and connected to the moment." In one of "Brel's" most memorable set pieces, Maroulis plays a statue of a military hero who suddenly comes to life and addresses the audience, sneering at the heroic inscription on his pedestal. "All you damn kids, get away from here," he keeps griping in the song's refrain. But then -- in a final dramatic twist that is Maroulis' contribution – his last refrain becomes not a complaint but a plea. "All you damn kids, get away from here," he begs – a desperate warning to kids who might be tempted by his statue to fantasize about military glory. "He sees these kids looking up at him with admiration, and he's saying, 'Don't be like me. Go to school and be something more,' " Maroulis says. "That's a big moment in the show." Getting to sing such well-crafted, intense songs night after night would be a piece of luck for any actor. It is especially so for Maroulis – given that, among other things, he's a tunesmith himself (his self-titled album, containing all original material, is due out in the spring on his own label, Sixth Place Records). For any songwriter, Brel is as good a university as anyone could wish for. "I'm so inspired by his work," Maroulis says. "The tremendous thing about Brel is, he didn't write for commercial purposes. He wrote for himself. I generally write for the more commercial side of things, because I want to appeal to the broader spectrum of people, but that doesn't mean [Brel] hasn't inspired me to think outside the box." Though Brel, who died in 1978, has often been likened to Bob Dylan, he remains better known in Europe than the States (he did contribute the original French lyrics to one Top 40 hit, the 1974 Terry Jacks song "Seasons in the Sun"). For the most part, what U.S. reputation he has is attributable to this offbeat show, which originally opened in 1968 at the Village Gate and ran for 1,847 performances. At the height of campus unrest, social turmoil and the Vietnam War, the passionate songs about injustice, lost love and death really struck a nerve with theatergoers. And in this new era of war and social upheaval, they still do, Maroulis says. "I think this material is very relevant," Maroulis says. "There is a war going on in our world, and it's a big part of our day, and we realize that people are dying, and it's very sad. I'm not very political, but I support the troops, and I think about them every night when I go through this performance."

A few 'Idol' tips from Constantine Maroulis [13 Feb 2007|12:06pm] A few 'Idol' tips from Constantine Maroulis Posted by Mary Colurso -- February 1, 2007 13:30 Mary Colurso's Blog & Column Constantine Maroulis, one of the most popular contestants on the fourth season of "American Idol," stopped by the offices of The Birmingham News recently to promote a celebrity soccer tournament. He'll play in the April 28 match, a charity event organized by Ethan Zohn. Zohn, winner of "Survivor: Africa," used his million-dollar winnings on that show to establish a nonprofit organization, Grassroot Soccer. Its Reality All Stars match here will be against the UAB Lady Blazers. Maroulis, 31, has agreed to sing the national anthem and perform afterward at a fundraising dinner. During a conversation with Maroulis, we asked him to offer tips for surviving on reality TV, specifically on "American Idol." Here's what he said: "Act like a professional. The audition starts when you walk onto the entire grounds of the thing. "Treat everyone with respect, from the camera grips to the runners, because everything gets around. "Be prepared. Be polite and courteous. Do all those things mom tells you to do. "Be willing to accept criticism and accept it in a constructive way. "Don't let it get to your head too quickly. "It's a major job interview. Act like you want it and deserve it."

Maroulis is Alive and Well Off-Broadway in 'Brel' [10 Jan 2007|07:26pm] Maroulis is Alive and Well Off-Broadway in 'Brel' Broadway.com Feature Monday, January 8, 2007; Posted: 9:52 AM By TJ Fitzgerald Is there life after AMERICAN IDOL? In the case of Constantine Maroulis, the answer is an undeniable yes. Maroulis, although not that year's winner for the popular iconic competition, gained a unprecedented stature and fans base as a result of his appearances on the show, which has surpassed all expectations. The talented young musician went on to tour with his fellow finalists and has been following another dream of his….to perform on Broadway. He recently finished up a stint in THE WEDDING SINGER on Broadway, marking his debut on the Great White Way and will be joining the cast of JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS, directed by Gordon Greenberg and featuring cast members Robert Cuccioli, Jayne Paterson and Gay Marshall, now playing at the Zipper Theatre, on Tuesday, January 9th, 2007. Maroulis was born in Brooklyn and raised in the nearby suburbs of New Jersey. He attended the prestigious Boston Conservatory of Music, which he completing that program in an impressive 3 years, while also working on his minor in Vocal Performance at the Berklee College of Music. In the summer of 2002, he was selected for an apprenticeship at the famous Williamstown Theater Festival. There he was cast not once but twice on the main stage, most notably appearing in Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Donald Margulies' God of Vengeance starring Tony winner Ron Leibman and Diane Venora. In a recent interview, Maroulis talked candidly to me about being on AMERICAN IDOL, making his Broadway debut and his upcoming projects, including BREL. TJ: So, Constantine, when you first auditioned for AMERICAN IDOL, did you have any idea of what to expect or that you would go as far as you did in the competition? MAROULIS: Actually, no, because I had never seen the television show before. Of course, it was the biggest thing on television but I hadn't really watched it. I knew about the show and the popularity of it. I was on the RENT tour at the time and I had just come home when an old girlfriend sort of convinced me to go the audition. And just like any other audition I'd ever been to, I went there with the hope of just getting a job. I slowly realized what I was getting into and how massive the show was. It just sort of swallowed me up and here we are. I was confident in my ability and got an impression from the start that they liked me and were interested in finding out more about me. They did a lot of extensive interviews with me and followed me to New York, met my family and my band and all sorts of stuff like that. So I got a sense early on that they were interested in me and hoping I would do well and succeed on the show because they hadn't had someone with (a) a lot of professional experience and (b) was of the rock and roll background. I was really lucky and came along at the right time. They seemed to be looking for some new types of energy on the show, a little different than what they had before. I wished I had seen the show before because I think I would have done even better. You get a little caught up in the storyline that they are telling of yours. I was also afraid to show off that I was a good singer and that I came from a background of musical training. I got a little caught up in "I'm the rocker" thing and they loved that so I went with that. Not that I'm not someone who loves rock and roll, but I also love theatre, Shakespeare, musical theatre, jazz and pop and everything. TJ: Now, I see you went to the Boston Conservatory? MAROULIS: I did the musical theatre program there and finished there in 2002. What a great place to go to school and it was just the perfect situation for me. TJ: And you also attended Berklee School of Music? MAROULIS: Yes, I did my minor over there. The schools have a beautiful Pro-Arts program, where you can take classes at each others schools. I believe Emerson and Northeastern were involved in the program as well. You have kids from Emerson taking dance classes and kids from Berklee taking musical theatre classes. It was really cool. I met a lot of musicians there that I sessioned with around town and did a lot of studio stuff.It was just a great training ground in so many ways. It was a great chance to do a lot of professional theater and singing gigs for money. That was sort of my first experience with that and it really helped me a lot when I first moved to New York. I felt I was well prepared for the auditions that came the fall and winter of 2002 and 2003. Shortly after that, I got the part in RENT and I was pretty lucky. I apprenticed at the Williamstown Theatre Festival which was a big dream throughout high school and college. It was a great way to cap off my training at the Conservatory getting to work with all these amazing professionals at Williamstown. I felt very fortunate to be a part of that as well. TJ: So theater has been a big part of your journey so far. Now, you'd toured North America and Asia in RENT? That must have been a very exciting opportunity for you as well? MAROULIS: It was awesome. RENT was the show that changed the face of American theater or theater all over the world really. I remember when it came out what a huge effect it had on me. The music, the story, the characters, the direction, the style…you know I grew up in the eighties and nineties so that was my era. It was sort of the Gen X musical. Of course, now it's ten years later and the show is still going strong. RENT is a great family to have been a part of and playing the role of Roger was a great journey for me. It was a lot of fun. TJ:And THE WEDDING SINGER, which you were also a part of, just finished its Broadway run. MAROULIS: Yes it did. It was bittersweet. I love the show from when I saw it opening night to when I saw it closing night. It was a great cast and I was very grateful for the opportunity to make my Broadway debut with such a great ensemble. They treated me like I was part of a family and it allowed me to fit in, which I really appreciated. You know, there's a bit of hoopla that comes with AMERICAN IDOL and the fans and such and I know there's a bit of a stigma, even in the Broadway community, of AMERICAN IDOL. I feel some of the fans of these shows aren't necessarily in favor of a sort of ringer in their eyes coming into one of their shows and perhaps taking one of their favorite actors jobs. I am very sympathetic to that. I felt very uncomfortable about replacing somebody that was in a show from the very beginning from the first workshop who was a trained actor and very good in the show. I felt a little strange about that but I spoke to a lot of the actors about it and a lot of friends of mine in the business and it's just part of it. Someone will take my job someday too. What some people don't realize is that this is my life… this is what I've been doing my whole life. I paid my dues. I've done everything from community theater to non-paying jobs to the theatre for young audiences. I put myself through the Boston Conservatory and Williamstown and did non-Equity tours and played in crappy bands…I actually have been doing this for a long time now. Now, to be in a beautiful piece like JACQUES BREL is hopefully a great way to let people see that I am serious about my acting. I respect it so much. I've done the research…. I've done the preparation… And I respect the craft so much. I think that people will see that in my performance in JACQUES BREL. And to work with Gordon Greenberg again, who basically gave me my first job almost ten years ago, is a great honor. I think he's one of the hottest young new directors in New York right now and he's just really good, you know. He's smart…. He really understands the language of the play and he's just been so helpful. TJ: What is it about JACQUES BREL that was so appealing to you? MAROULIS: Where do I begin? I guess it starts with the composition really. It's beautiful. The lyrical content, the potential for great interpretation of the script and the score….. it's the stuff that I trained to do and I love to do. I feel myself to be a good interpreter of songs. I tried to do that on AMERICAN IDOL because people seemed to respond to that. I'm all about the lyrics first…. I try to tell a story and with a work like this, you just have to sit back and serve the text and it all just happens for you, if you know what I mean. It's almost like Shakespeare in a way, where the acting beats are written into the material….you serve the text well enough to communicate the story and everything else just automatically happens for you. Also the opportunity to work with such an incredible cast., I mean Bob Cuccioli…JEKYLL AND HYDE was one of my favorite shows when I was young. I remember him being so great and such a huge presence on that stage. Now to see him in this intimate show is so cool. And you have Gay Marshall, such a veteran and wonderful woman, such a great vibe and so cultured and experienced…. She's just so fabulous in the show! And Jane is coming into the show with me, but of course, she's been there before, swinging both female roles. Her voice is just superior and so powerful. I think we're working very well together and I'm really looking forward to Tuesday when we take the stage together. TJ: Now this is such a small ensemble piece. You have four actors and three musicians. Do you have a preference between working on a small piece like this for a large scale production like THE WEDDING SINGER? MAROULIS: I think the work is the same and the approach to the work is the same. You have to do your research in your preparation and be sensitive to the process and do your work. I don't think that it's much different in that respect. Of course, the intimacy of a small theater and that stripped down feel…. you know it's really just a basic stage do with not much of a set at all. THE WEDDING SINGER was a period piece and was so stylized for the 1980's with the costumes and everything. It's a big over the top comedy but you still have major acting going on onstage. I'd like to think I totally transformed myself into Sammy but I'm really not that guy. Being able to work from the outside and in with all the crazy costumes and wigs and make-up and crazy lights. With JACQUES BREL, it leaves you a little more exposed. You're just there on stage. There aren't big sound systems or microphones or big placing guitars in your way….. it's just you and the music and the beautiful words. TJ: OK, now I am very jealous. MAROULIS: Thank you. I am flattered. I have been blessed with a great fan base and visibility. To work Off-Broadway is something that a lot of actors that I know are dying to do. Film actors that I now with a lot of success are having trouble finding the right material or vehicle for them to perform Off-Broadway or even on Broadway. Let's face it, Broadway is bigger than it's ever been and according to the New York Post, Broadway had its biggest week between Christmas and New Year's. I think that just goes to show you that the quality of talent in New York on Broadway and Off-Broadway is bigger and better than it's ever been. TJ: Let's talk about your upcoming CD. What kind of things do you have in store for the fans? MAROULIS: I'm very excited about the CD. It's been a couple years in the making. I really want to put a little distance between me and the big show and sort of discover my voice as far as my recording career. I spent a lot of time in Nashville with recording artists and songwriters and also in Los Angeles and New York. I think people can expect a pretty honest rock and roll CD, very different from any projects that I've been a part of. My last band was sort of a garage kind of grungy rock band. I think my solo debut will be distinctly rock but all original songs that I've either written or co-written or that I'm going to be performing for another writer. It's sort of a cross between like a Bon Jovi and it's got a lot of pop influences on it. It's going to the radio-friendly. I'm very excited about it! I've got a great new band and exciting live show and the fans have just been so amazing. So patient and so supportive. And I feel very blessed. TJ: We're all looking forward to more from you, Constantine, HAPPY NEW YEAR and see you at JACQUES BREL!! MAROULIS: Thanks! See you then! OK, so that was some great stuff! Now, in conjunction with Maroulis joining the cast, "JACQUES BREL" will have a new performance schedule. Beginning Tuesday, January 9th, the schedule will be as follows: Tuesday @ 7PM, Wednesday @ 3PM and 8PM, Thursday @ 8PM, Friday @ 8PM, Saturday @ 3PM and 8PM and Sunday @ 3PM. Again, "JACQUES BREL IS ALIVE AND WELL AND LIVING IN PARIS" is now playing at the Zipper Theatre (336 West 37th Street). Tickets can be obtained through TeleCharge (212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com. The offical website address is www.jacquesbrelreturns.com. Also, you can check out Constantine's website at http://www.constantinemaroulis.com for some more great stuff on him. For now, I wish you all well and remember, theatre is my life. Ciao! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TJ Fitzgerald has been around the New England Theatre scene both as a participant (acting and directing) as well being a theatre fanatic since birth. He had been a featured columnist on interviews and theatre features for New England Entertainment Digest since 1992 and is currently a board member of the New England Theatre Conference. His past interviews have included Tony Award winner Faith Prince, Tony Nominee Brad Oscar (The Producers), Maureen McGovern, (Little Women), Joanna Gleason (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Into The Woods), Gregory Jbara (Chicago, Into The Woods)and Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Godspell). It's been quite a life thus far, folks and the best is yet to come

On Broadway: Great Performances, Great Seats, and American Idols [10 Jan 2007|07:22pm] On Broadway: Great Performances, Great Seats, and American Idols CityGuideNY.com Theatre aficionados know that there are a handful of actors whose presence on any stage pretty much guarantees a knockout evening of theatre. The short list includes names like Nathan Lane, Patti LuPone, and Harvey Fierstein, performers who are known in other media, but shine brightest on Broadway. At the moment, four such unforgettable performers are appearing in various Broadway theatres (pictured, from top): Christine Ebersole in Grey Gardens, Raul Esparza in Company, Kristin Chenoweth in The Apple Tree, and Julie White in The Little Dog Laughed. There are some serious Tony contenders in this mix, so you’ll want to check out one or more of these productions. When you book your tickets for the new Broadway musical Spring Awakening, you might want to request one of the show’s more unique seats -- onstage. Offered at the bargain price of $31.25, these seats can be purchased in advance, but come with a couple minor caveats. First off, it’s necessary to be seated before the show begins (latecomers lose out), and secondly, you must stow personal items, such as large coats and bags, in special lockers backstage. The thrill comes in being in the middle of the action during one of this season’s most critically acclaimed productions, a show that has already attracted such celebrities as “Law and Order: SVU’s” Mariska Hargitay and B.D. Wong, original Dreamgirls star Jennifer Holliday, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner, Mary Stuart Masterson, Erika Christensen, and Ian McShane. Tony Danza recently joined the cast of The Producers as Max Bialystock, the down-on-his-luck Broadway producer/seducer of little old ladies. The role, which netted Nathan Lane a Tony in 2001, has a reputation for being a manic tour de force requiring epic stamina and hearty vocal chords, and Danza is more than up to the challenge thanks to his second career as a recording artist. Fans will want to scoop up their tickets now, since he’s only signed on through Mar. 11. Finally, as you may have heard, several former “American Idol” contestants have jumped onto New York’s theatrical bandwagon in recent months -- Diana DeGarmo in Hairspray and Frenchie Davis in Rent, for example. The busiest of the alums, however, has to be Constantine Maroulis, who was last seen in the The Wedding Singer on Broadway and is now one of the stars of the hit revival of Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris at Off-Broadway’s Zipper Theatre. He joins original cast members Robert Cuccioli, Gay Marshall, and Natascia Diaz.

navigation [ viewing | most recent entries ] [ go | earlier ]