Friday, August 02, 2013

Clay at his first performance in the lead of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, at the Ogunquit Playhouse

Hello fellow Clay fans,

It was wonderful to see Clay again this past Wednesday evening, taking the stage for the first time as Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine.

It was a lovely show, and I'm sure Clay is having a ball doing this one, because of the talent of his fellow performers, and the fact that there are lots of children in the cast.

The Ogunquit Playhouse is a cozy venue, so I imagine that even those in the very last row had a good view of the stage. I was in the 12th row - the closest I have ever been to Clay in any of his concerts. For once, I could actually see his face well, with all his expressions and features. Our guy was in fine form and did the Playhouse proud, as did the entire cast.

The audience wasn't entirely made up of fans - we spoke with some local people who have season tickets to the Ogunquit Playhouse. However, there were a good number of us there. Right behind us, there was a group of five women of various ages, clearly Clay fans. I talked with them a bit during intermission, and they turned out to be the "Pink Jacket Ladies", as Clay calls them. It was great to share our admiration for Clay with other fans. I have looked them up online and see they are quite active, for example, in 2010, they threw a Release Party in honour of Clay's CD Tried and True (you can see their invitational poster here). "GrandmaJoan" and other Pink Jacket Ladies, if you read this - it was great meeting you!

After the show, we went to the local ice cream parlour for a scoop. There, we ran into 3 young girls from the cast. We chatted a bit, I congratulated them on their performance and said they were lucky to be working with Clay Aiken. They said yes, that he is a very nice guy, and they enjoy working with him. Lucky girls! One month working side-by-side with Clay!

Here are my best pictures of the evening. Feel free to share, but I would thank you for crediting me with my fan name: ClayKat. Enjoy!


Poster of Clay Aiken in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, outside Ogunquit Playhouse
In front of the Ogunquit Playhouse

Ogunquit Playhouse
The Ogunquit Playhouse
Poster of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, starring Clay Aiken, in lobby of Ogunquit Playhouse
In the lobby of the Ogunquit Playhouse

Clay Aiken outside the stage door, greeting fans and signing autographs
Clay Aiken signing my copy of his book
Clay Aiken signing my copy of his book, "Learning to Sing". Finally, after 10 years, I have Clay's autograph!
Clay Aiken's autograph in my copy of his book
Clay Aiken's autograph in my copy of his book, "Learning to Sing"

Post edited August 14, 2013 to add the Ogunquit Playhouse's video, which shows excerpts of the show, including Clay: