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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > November > 18 > Entry
11/18: Ruben Studdard with “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” opens tonight at Fox
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ruben Studdard has plenty of experience on stage singing. But he has never done it professionally in a play. Tonight, we get to see how Studdard fares as Fats Waller in “Ain’t Misbehavin’ ” at the Fox Theatre.
My colleague Wendell Brock interviewed him recently and here’s his story.:
The first thing Studdard says is that he hopes critics will be kind to him as he makes his professional stage debut. Joined by former “Idol” contestants Frenchie Davis and Trenyce Cobbins for this Fats Waller revue, the so-called Velvet Teddybear is crossing over from gospel and R&B to jazz. “Honeysuckle Rose” and “The Jitterbug Waltz” will be added to his song list, alongside hit singles “Flying Without Wings” and “Change Me.”
I’ll check out the play and the after party tonight and report on it tomorrow morning.
-David Cook’s album drops today. It’s ranked #2 on Amazon right now behind someone named Eithne Nà Bhraonáin.
More reviews:
Produced by Rob Cavallo (Green Day) and co-written by the likes of Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell, Collective Soul’s Ed Roland and new “AI” judge Kara DioGuardi, the 13 songs marry a formidable rock edge with undeniable pop sensibility.
The Miami Herald gives it 2.5 stars.:
If anyone hoped that David Cook, the first ”rocker” to win the title of American Idol, would make good on his promise to release a major label debut album that was truly his own brand of rock music, well the resulting David Cook isn’t it.
Call this catchy set of pop-rock tracks, like the Chris Cornell-written first single, Light On, a compromise. Cook rocks steadily in the Daughtry-like manner we expected, given the mainstream production polish provided by Rob Cavallo (Green Day). He sings well, in most instances better than he did on the show.
And he talks about his girlfriend Kimberly Caldwell* to People mag here.:
“I think she just gets that this is all nuts,” Cook told PEOPLE at the Do the Wright Thing Gala at the Hard Rock Café in New York last week. “She’s a nice break from the chaos.”
-Paula Abdul is “haunted” by the death of her stalker and won’t go to the house near where Paula Goodspeed died, according to an anonymous source. The New York Post reports. You decide.. In fact, here’s Abdul’s denial (and she has denied wanting to leave “Idol,” too.):
A rep for Abdul said, “There’s no validity to this. She’s been home since the incident happened. There’s no issue with spirits. Paula is shocked and saddened by what transpired. Her heart and prayers go out to the Goodspeed family.”
Comments
By Nana
November 18, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
OOOH…… Good cover on the CD. David looks really good and should I daresay, sexy? His eyes stand out first and foremost to me. Ladies????
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
November 18, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
Morning gang. i left a note on the previous blog… please pray for my dad. explanation on other post. i appreciate it.
well, had my physical this morning, looks like i get to keep living (a little humor there) AND i’ve lost a total of 30 pounds over the last year! not sure how, haven’t changed that much… only explanation is i am a teensy bit more active now that i don’t have to drive to and from atlanta every day! that killed about 5 hours a day!!!
By JTesla
November 18, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
I was going say that I am surprised that the reviewers haven’t ripped on David Cook’s use of eye-liner, but after reading Nana’s comment maybe that is a subject that I shouldn’t comment on!
Linny, consider it done.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
November 18, 2008 11:10 AM | Link to this
I’d love to see Ruben as Fats Waller — I’ll bet he does a really good job with this. He’s certainly got the ability to sing the songs!
however, i do NOT think i’ll make the drive to Atlanta, LOL!!!
and Cookie certainly has turned out to be a very appealing young man… he grew on me, i know, during the season. at first i thought, what a dorky looking guy…. i can’t even remember exactly why i thought it, because i don’t now, LOL!!!
By Deirdre
November 18, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
His hair was different back then and he DID look dorky, linny. I remember thinking the same thing and commenting on the smashed down bedhead look as not particularly attractive.
As for the eyeliner…I think it’s pretty common today with performers but he may go overboard just a little.
He is looking a lot more attractive lately…now that some good stylists have gotten their mitts on him…or maybe he’s taking tips from his girl friend.
As for Ruben….break a leg!!!!!!
By Harmony
November 18, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
I realize that I have been missing for the last few days. My lovely daughter gave me the gift that keeps on giving, wheather you want it or not.(a flu like virus) I hate being sick!!!
Linny, of course I’ll pray for your dad!!!
I still love the Falcons!!! I don’t want to predict who’s going home on DWTS= just want Warren to be safe!!!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
November 18, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Harmony, here’s hoping you’re feeling better by now!!!! not fun, i know! and thank you for the added prayers … i just found out that he woke up this morning, legs seemed ok, but he’d evidently pulled something in his back when he fell last night, so my sis talked him … FINALLY … into going to the Dr. and having his legs and all checked out.
Sorry about the falcons…since i’m a buccaneers’ fan, i can’t say too much about that, LOL!!! and because I’m a bucs’ fan, i HAVE to love Warren Sapp!!! well i would anyway, but that’s just added reason…
but Lacey has been a favorite dancer of mine since SYTYCD, so i’m also pulling for her, lol. Brooke’s so darned good, i’d like to see someone who really had to struggle — Lance or Warren — win it all… sorry cody!
By Lara
November 18, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
Got my cd at lunch today. Have only listened to 1 song so far. But I will tell ya, my cube neighbor said she wouldn’t kick him outta bed for eating crackers.
By Nana
November 18, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
linny - My thoughts and prayers will be with your dad, you and family. May all be well with him. I too know what it means when you worry about your parents and live miles away.
Wrapping up my work day and heading home. Be safe, be good, be happy and above all, please drive carefully. Catch up with everyone later.
Have a great evening………Bye.
By Deirdre
November 18, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
Hope you’re feeling better, Harmony!
Idol begins 8 weeks from tonight!!!!
I think I’m looking forward to the return of our blogging friends and the newbies who will join us even more than the show itself!
Not to mention the new blog format(unless that was just a ruse to keep us all talking over the summer)
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
November 18, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Lara!!!! that’s funny!!! i’m still chuckling!!!
By Lara
November 18, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Upon first listen…song #11 (Permanent) is my favorite. My best way to describe it is Haunting.
By Nana
November 19, 2008 4:49 AM | Link to this
Good Morning. It’s already Wednesday. Hope the rest of the week goes fast.
Have a few minutes before I leave, so by the time I get to the office, hopefully someone will say who went home last night on DWTS. I dozed off the last 20 minutes and when I woke up the it was off!!!!!!! Dadburn it. So I missed the most important part of the whole 2 hours.
Gotta run, but see y’ll later.
By Deirdre
November 19, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this
Morning! I’m freezing my frickin buns off!
Nana…Cody was dumped last night. And your falling asleep was DWTS’ fault! TWO HOURS!!!!!!!! Gimme a break!
By harrietth
November 19, 2008 8:17 AM | Link to this
harrietth shivers and wishes she had summer back Morning everyone. I’m with you, D, about freezing your buns off. I could hardly bring myself to crawl out of the covers this morning. And you are right, too, about DWTS being too long. Two hours is nothing but greed and self-indulgence!
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
November 19, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this
well i had to admit seeing the kids compete was worth watching the first hour but ONLY that part — if i’d known it would be at the end of the show, i’d certainly have missed the first half hour!!! those kids are REALLY goooooood!!!!
i liked the first little duo best.
and yes, cold as a witch’s whatever!!!!
see you on the new thread!