Diana DeGarmo

I know that they are going to be great in this show and I really wish I could see it but Oklahoma is just too far away.  Are any of you going?  I’d love to hear about it!

The show will run from July 21-25, 2009.  I can tell you that tickets start at only $28 but you can find more information on the Lyric Theater website.

image: ticketmaster.com

Post from: Idol Stalker

American Idol cutie from season 4, Anthony Federov, is starring in the Fantasticks. He really is a fantastic singer – I wish I could go to the show

Anyway, here’s a recent interview for the “Fed”eration.

Congratulations, Anthony! You’ve gone from being a Top 4 finalist on the most successful TV show to being the star on the longest running musical, The Fantasticks. How you feeling?

It’s a challenge. I’m really enjoying myself because I’ve never done acting before. It’s all coming out of the blue. Exciting, but scary too. Fortunately, it’s a tremendous cast who’s been doing it for a very long time so they can guide me through the whole thing.

You’ve had a few challenges to get to this point – childhood medical issues, not arriving in this country until you were 9. How have these shaped you?

Every experience I’ve had throughout my life has made me stronger. The fact that doctors told me I’d never speak – - what was once my curse is now my blessing. I mean, with my story and everything that happened, I really have a chance to motivate people. It’s a great thing when you can inspire people to reach for their dreams.

Speaking of which, what advice do you have for folks aspiring to be the next Idol?

My biggest advice to those doing the show in the future: Stay true to yourself. I know, it’s cliché, but I mean it – - stick with what got you there in the first place. American Idol is so big, you start to play head games with yourself. Stay true to yourself, don’t overthink it because it will catch up with you in the end.

How does performing for The Fantasticks’ off-Broadway audiences compare to your 30-million TV audiences?

It’s a different kind of experience, performing before a live audience. This might sound strange but it’s a whole lot harder to perform in front of 200 people than 30,000 people. There’s no way to cheat, you have to connect – You have no microphones. That’s what makes it special, you really have a chance to interact with your audience.

What does being the national spokesperson for the Sarcoma Foundation of America mean to you?

As you know, my brother passed away from Sarcoma seven months ago. When that happened, I found a second calling. Today, I’ll do everything I can to spread the word about Sarcoma cancer. People don’t realize that 20% of cancers young kids get are Sarcomas. I strongly encourage people to go visit www.curesarcoma.org and to educate themselves.

What’s next for you?

I’m working on my record as we speak. When I’m not doing the play, I’m working on a record. Simon Cowell told me the only thing that can make you successful is the right songs. So that’s what I’ve been doing, working on my right songs.

You’ve performed a variety of genres and you have a lot of different styles of your own. So what are your right songs?

Well, I see myself as a male version of Celine Dion, with a little Josh Groban. Powerful, hip ballads, some upbeat. I promise, you’ll like it!

source

Post from: Idol Stalker

American Idol winner, Carrie Underwood, made her way to the Snapple Theatre Center this week to see fellow Idol contestant, Anthony Federov, performing in “The Fantasticks.” Apparently, the two have remained good friends since their time on the show together. How sweet! I heard that Carrie’s rumored boyfriend, Tony Romo, was also there.

Source

Post from: Idol Stalker

I always liked Anthony’s voice and he had a great background story for himself as well. The BuddyTV interview gives us more information about Anthony and of course some of his opinions on the current American Idol 6th season.

Here’s Anthony’s response to a question about his own experience on American Idol:

Well, my experiences on the show…where do I start?  It was definitely a rollercoaster.  I mean, I know it is a cliché and everybody says it, but it really is in every sense of the word.  The biggest plus for me was the fact that I got a crash course on the music industry in less than a year.  Being on that show gives you an idea of how your life can be like if you succeed as an individual artist when you become a superstar.  While you’re on the show, I mean, you’re exactly that; you’re a star, you’re one of the most famous people in America, everybody watches you.  So, it taught me a lot and I mean I grew up a lot by being on the show.  I really didn’t have a chance to observe myself while I was on the show because you’re so busy and every second of your day is accounted for, you really don’t have a chance to reflect on how you’re doing.  So I would have to say that I learned about my highs when I got off the show, when things died down a little bit.  I definitely became a more experienced person when it came to the business and the aspect of handling yourself in the music business world. 

Did you know that Anthony is writing a column for Entertainment Weekly where he judges the judges each week? He’s joined by Ace Young and Kimberly Locke as well.

Post from: Idol Stalker