Panned for breaking nearly every theatrical commandment by, uh, everyone, the 2004 musical production “The Ten Commandments,” starring Val Kilmer and performed in Los Angeles, was tucked away where all bad performances go quietly to die: YouTube.
Until now.
Showering attention on “American Idol” frontrunner Adam Lambert, entertainment Web sites have recently uncovered some potentially embarrassing video clips of the 27-year-old actor’s early days onstage. Bloggers for the Los Angeles Times’ Culture Monster also have been digging, and when they turned to the paper’s own archives, they discovered a scathing review of the biblically inspired musical, with one fleeting mention of praise:
“Few singers or dancers distinguish themselves with a personal sound or style. High notes are calculated to get applause. Adam Lambert, as Joshua, does the best in ‘Is Anybody Listening?’ It is also the best song.”
That’s right. Lambert, the “Idol” season 8 rock star, who received a “standing O” from Judge Simon Cowell for his rendition of Tears for Fears’ “Mad World,” played a Hebrew slave, complete with a dingy brown sackcloth and a ratty wig, earlier in his career.
Though Lambert hung up his rags at the play’s close, he hasn’t let go of his interest in Jewish themes. In 2005, he sang “Shir Lashalom” (“Song for Peace”), at a tribute concert for slain prime minister Yitzhak Rabin.
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I agree with you trying to say. Adam is a a singer that can inspirer an emotional response to the songs that he sings. He also presents himself as a very intelligent person. Adam has touched the hearts of many, many fans. He is not alone anymore to be misunderstood, when people intend to demean him for any reason other than his talent. He now has an army that will defend him. If there is any justice in the World he will be the winner of season eight.
This performance wasn't exactly "tucked away." The play was filmed live and released on a DVD. Adam has many beautiful moments in the play. It's true the "critics" ravaged the play. But audiences loved it. It was at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood, where the Oscars are held. The theater holds over 3,500 people and it was filled almost every night. That is twice as big as your average Broadway theater. Both the play and Adam got standing ovations from the crowd every performance. While originally scheduled to run only during October 2004, the play got extended twice. First to the end of November and then again until mid-December. When I suspect the Kodak had other obligations.
Because I saw Adam in this play at least twice. That is the only reason I have been watching American Idol this season. It was criminal that the critics were too busy being critical to see that the audiences who attended the play just LOVED it. But we were just the theater going public who pays for their own tickets. What could we possibly know? All my friends who saw the play also loved it.
Sandi, thank you!! After seeing the you tube video of Adam as Joshua, we bought the Ten Commandments video. It was enjoyable, with talented singers (Val Kilmer was just average), but Adam was incredible. His song, "Is Anybody Listening?" is getting plenty of hits. He does an amazing job. Nothing to ashamed of!!! One of my favorite performances of his.
Adam is the only reason I'm watching this season of American Idol, because I was drawn to his unique way of singing and connecting with the audience. He really becomes one with the song. Adam is, in my opinion, the only contestant with real, raw talent. The others are good, but not memorable, like Adam. Now that I know he's performed on stage as an actor, I will seek out those performances as well. I'm definitely a fan! I hope the rest of the world helps Adam reach his dream of becoming the next American Idol, but if he doesn't win this competition, it won't matter, because he's a star and will make it.
I have to say that I too attended The Ten Commandments performance at the Kodak Theater. I have attended numerous stage productions over the years and The Ten Commandments was one of the highlights. Yes Adam did an outstanding job, as did ALL of the cast members. As for being tucked away, I think you are mistaken. As someone else here mentioned, the theater is very large and from my vantage point full. As for the DVD, you cannot judge the live performance by the DVD. It is a nice souviner of the live version but certainly does not portray the validity of the stage production.
I only saw the youtube version of the play and i believed that he nailed it. Adam is, so far, the best AI talent for me this season. He has the voice, style, looks, persona and more importantly he is aspiring to a lot of people. You can see his intelligence when he answers questions asked by the different hosts. He definitely has my vote. I hope america continues to vote for him week on week until he is declared as the 2008 American Idol. Yes, he will have a good career even without AI title (similar to J. Hudson) but it is still different to be known as the winner of the competition. More importantly, he really deserves the title.
Adam has already said in interviews that he doesn't get embarassed. He told Access Hollywood that he's is who he is and is fine what he has done, he did google himself after his family advised him to, and he is cool with it. It's quite refreshing.
Plus we already all know how to search youtube for 'Adam Lambert' (and I can't help doing it several times a day!) I get a big kick out of seeing all the types of songs he is doing in the various venues and appreciate how hard he has worked to get as good as he is now.
Would this author please shut up!!! Adam worked his butt off to get here and received good reviews for Ten Commandments. There is nothing embarassing about that. Also, has this idiot author considered that Adam may be Jewish? That may be why he performed at the Rabin ceremony. Geez...stupid is a stupid does.....GO ADAM!!!
I'm from Israel, and in a way I feel so frustrated I can't vote for Adam. I'm not a big fan of American Idol, but this season it's an exception for me only because of Adam. Now everything has changed for me, and I find myself, week by week, just can't wait to see what he'll do next. I think his talent is sooooo huge and exceptional that he'll be the most famous and successful artist that ever came out of American Idol (winning or not) also outside the states. I got this feeling the world will embrace him. Now I only have one dream, to get a chance to see Adam's concert, and I don't care where on the Globes. And of course, I really want him to win, simply cos he's the only contestant this season who really deserves it. GO ADMA!
The last thing we Jews need is a freak and a pervert showing up on national tv and idenified as a Jew. And then so many of us moan and groan when a decent young Christian American wins out over this apparition from a mental asylum. Hey, liberal Jewish mishugoyim,think of it as payback for the public humilation of Carrie Prejean.