Have you been watching this season's American Idol?  After vowing to stay away (I didn't think I could take another season of Paula's incoherent rambling, Randy's "Yo Dawg" and Ryan and Simon bickering like lovers - oh my gosh - did I write that - I did!), alas, I have relented.  I have been seduced back, namely, by the charms of one teen age boy by the name of David Archuleta.  He rocks.  After he sang "Imagine" on Tuesday night's episode (click HERE to watch it if you missed it), I thought...let's just end this now and give him the prize.  But we can't do that can we. 

There are a few others I am digging.  Brooke White is charming in that Carly Simon sort of way and it was a good choice to sing "You're So Vain" directly to Simon.  I definitely root for Carly Smithson (you know the Irish girl who had a recording contract - I hate how they keep referring to the fact that she only sold 300 albums - enough already).  Alaina Whitaker has charmed me in a Carrie Underwood kind of way (although she did better in round one).  And who can resist Aussie Michael Johns?  Not me.  Oh, and did I mention that I really really like David Archuleta.  Really.  Is this getting creepy - maybe...sorry!

On the other end of the spectrum, I am not really digging Chikezie (one word, Chickeze, like Cher and Madonna).  I'm not sure he will ever be able to bounce back from the tragedy of the orange suit last week.  I am also not a huge fan of Amanda Overmyer.  She is too "rocker chick" for my taste.  And I am just going to say it...Mortician Adams, anyone?  Or Elvira Mistress of the Dark. Hello?  Is it homage?  It must be.  And have you heard the big news?  Apparently, alleged faux rocker Robbie Carrico may be a faux rocker after all.  At least his rocker hair is faux.  A report leaked that Robbie's long rock ‘n roll tresses are actually a WIG.  Now come on.  The extensions are bad enough...but a full on wig.  (check out the photo and it kind of looks like a wig).  Stop the madness!

You may be saying to yourself.  "Bixby, why are you spending so much ink on America Idol - this is a Broadway blog?"  That is an EXCELLENT question.  And I am going to answer it.  I think it is quite obvious that the Broadway has embraced American Idol as a multi-week casting session.  Much like You're the One that I Want on NBC, just more covert.  We have already seen Fantasia, Tamyra Gray, Lakisha Jones, Diana DeGarmo, Frenchie Davis, Constantine Maroulis (I always forget him for some reason) and of course the ever popular Clay Aiken make the jump from AI to Broadway.  My guess is that we have not seen the last of this trend.  So...I thought we could play a little game and handicap the current crop of talent and make some predictions on who may or may not be headed to the Great White Way.  Wanna play along? Great. 

Here are my top picks for the contestants most likely to be seen on the rialto - post American Idol.

Carly Smithson in a revival of The Pirate Queen. 

She's Irish and she's tough.  What more do you need?  That being said, since The Pirate Queen was one of the most ill-conceived musicals to come down the pike in a long time...I think it is safe to say we won't be seeing Carly swinging from the sails any time soon.

Brooke White in The Little Mermaid.

It would be a slightly different take on the role, but I think she could charm audiences with her sunny disposition.  She plays the guitar on AI a lot and I don't think that would really work for Ariel; she'd have to lose the instruments and add the fins. 

Amanda Overmyer in Young Frankenstein. 

Sorry.  Sorry.  I couldn't resist. It is the hair - it is very Transylvania.  That must be a 10 on the Snark-o-Meter.

Chikezie in Chicago

He has proved to us that he likes a nice suit, perhaps he could slip into a nice tux for Chicago. He could play the James Naughton part.  My only worry is that if he doesn't do well the reviews will read "Cheesey Chikeze".  Another option might be Passing Strange - if it is a big hit and they start doing stunt casting and Chikeze cracks the top 4 of AI, this could happen.  That is a lot of "ifs".

Colton Berry in Hairspray

Colton may be a long shot for a B'way transfer - mostly because he left the competition so quickly.  He definitely has a theatrical flair, even the judges mentioned this.  He has the boy next door looks and a nice belt.  I think he could sub in for Hairspray or a national tour of Rent.  No?

Luke Menard in Shrek

He has those princely good looks and a lovely voice. If he goes far enough he could be up for a replacement for Chris Sieber.  Now I am really looking into my crystal ball.  If he doesn't do Broadway, he will definitely be up for a soap opera.  Mark my words.

Danny Noriega in Cry-Baby

Danny has an awesome voice but he is not pop star material; he might find a nice home on the rialto.  He is a difficult fit for many of the shows, but might do nicely in the upcoming production of Cry-Baby.  He has a retro feel to him that might lend itself to the genre.  He is very John Waters, I think.

Jason Castro in Phantom of the Opera

Jason is the guy with the long dreadlocks.  I like him.  He is very different - he really dances to the beat of his own drummer.  This is a long shot but (stay with me here) I think he could really add some pizzazz to the role of the masked man.  Keep the dreadlocks and bring some youth and vigor to the Phantom.  It might be very very interesting.

David Hernandez in The Jersey Boys

Unless I am wrong, he IS a Jersey Boy.  David can blow.  He has the looks and the charms and the theatricality.  This one is a no brainer; start printing the new ad campaign now. 

Alaina Whitaker in Wicked

She is soooo KC.  Young.  Cute.  Blonde.  Bubbly.  She clearly loves the Broadway (she sang "Hopelessly Devoted to You" last night.  She could slip into Wicked like Cinderella slipped into that slipper.  Someone call her agent NOW.  Second choice would be Legally Blonde, but that star is going to be replaced by ANOTHER reality television show.  OY.

Your turn. Put on your Simon Cowell hat and start giving me your opinions. Please feel free to use contestants from past seasons, but you will be disqualified if you use the phrase "too pitchy".  You will be scored on originality and creativity.  The prize is my undying love and a nice blog shout out!  Let the games begin!

~ See You On The Aisle