Constantine James Maroulis
(pronounced "Mah-'roo-lis", born September 17, 1975), is an American rock singer, actor, and writer from Wyckoff, New Jersey. He was the lead vocalist of the hard rock band Pray for the Soul of Betty and the sixth-place finalist on the fourth season of the reality television series American Idol
. He received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical for his role in Rock of Ages
.
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CONSTANTINE MAROULIS TICKETS
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Early years
Maroulis was born in
Brooklyn, New York to
Greek American parents, James Constantine and Constance P. Maroulis (born 1938). Both his maternal and his paternal grandparents immigrated to the United States from
Greece in the 1920s.
[1] He was brought up in the
Greek Orthodox religion
and he can speak
Greek. His older brother,
Athan Maroulis (born 1964), is a
record producer and his sister, Anastacia P. Maroulis (born 1968), is a school principal.
[2] [3]
When Maroulis was five years old his family moved to
Wyckoff, New Jersey, an
affluent suburb of
New York City, where he grew up. At that time he developed an interest in music, following the lead of his older brother. By age eleven he was studying the
trumpet at
Eisenhower Middle School.
[4]
He later sang in high school garage bands, including
Lady Rain
and
Milkbone
. Maroulis graduated from
Ramapo High School in 1993.
[5] He attended the
The Boston Conservatory of Music, where he received a
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Musical Theater from the
Boston Conservatory of Music and a minor in voice from the
Berklee College of Music in 2002. He was in the cast recording of the 2000 musical,
Suburban Dreams
, which was produced by composer Stephen Thompson, Richard Kenner, and
Jesse Merz.
[6] Some years before appearing on
American Idol
, Maroulis competed on the dating show
Elimidate
[7] and was an
extra in NBC's
Law and Order: SVU
as well as performing as a voice-over artist on the
Kids WB series
Astro Boy
.
[8]
He has appeared in a number of
off-Broadway roles from the Conservatory, along with a series of independent films. After graduating the Conservatory, Maroulis trained as an acting apprentice at the prestigious Williamstown Theatre Festival
[9] in the
Berkshires of Western Massachusetts and toured in the Broadway international touring company of
Rent
performing the lead role of Roger Davis.
[10] His role as Roger was non-
equity. Since he had no agent representing him, he was allowed to appear on
American Idol
. After
Idol
, Maroulis was briefly represented by the
Creative Artists Agency, but as of October 2006, he is no longer represented by the agency.
[11]
American Idol
In August 2004, acting upon his then-girlfriend's suggestion,
[12] Maroulis traveled to
Washington DC to audition for the television show
American Idol
. During the semifinals and finals of
Idol
, he was the subject of an
internet meme, the
Vote for the Worst
online campaign provided by the Internet community, "
Survivor Sucks" before the website switched focus to
Scott Savol as a result of fan complaints.
[13]
For the 2005 season,
Idol
producers changed the age range of contestants from 16-24 to 16-28.
[14] Along with
Bo Bice (from Season 4) and
Taylor Hicks (winner of Season 5), Maroulis was one of the oldest contestants to participate on
American Idol
. Maroulis and Bice are also notable for being among the first contestants to compete using the
rock idiom.
[15]
On April 27, 2005, Maroulis was eliminated from
American Idol
after he performed
Nickelback's "
How You Remind Me" during the
2000s music round.
[16] He was in the bottom three with
Vonzell Solomon and
Anthony Fedorov. Less than a week before his elimination, Maroulis's pre-
Idol
band, Pray For The Soul Of Betty, announced the May 10 release of their self-titled debut on their label, Baby Julius.
[17]
Maroulis was featured on the
American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers
compilation with "
My Funny Valentine". His rendition of the
Queen classic "
Bohemian Rhapsody" also earned him the praise of judges, including that of the usually harsh
Simon Cowell.
[18] Maroulis later recorded a studio version of the track for
Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen
, which was released on August 9, 2005 on Queen's label,
Hollywood Records, a division of
Universal.
[19]
Betty
frontman
Maroulis joined the lineup in 2003 after winning over 150 auditioners
[20] and became the lead vocalist, contributing lyrics and songs. The band rose to national attention when Maroulis appeared on
Idol
. His audition clip showed him "quitting" the band, a claim he had denied at the time. On March 20, 2006, after three years with the band, Maroulis announced his departure due to creative and business differences.
[21]
Solo career
In November and December 2005, Maroulis performed live shows in
Manila,
Philippines and
New Jersey, USA. His set list included well-known songs he had performed previously in his theatre roles, from such productions as
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
[22] Rent
, and
Jesus Christ Superstar,
[23] as well as from his stint on
American Idol
.
In August, 2006, Constantine completed a solo tour of 13 cities throughout the Northeast, where he debuted material to be featured on his upcoming CD, including various self-penned compositions.
[24]
Constantine created his own independent label, Sixth Place Records, a branch of Sixth Place Productions, which released his 2-years-in-the-making solo album,
Constantine
on August 7, 2007.
[25] Maroulis' self-titled CD consisted of 12 tracks, and debuted at #75 on the Billboard charts.
[26]
Maroulis sang the
National Anthem when he played at the Reality All-Star Soccer Festival (organized by
Survivor: Africa
winner,
Ethan Zohn) in April 2007,
[27] as well as before the start of a
49ers/
Bengels football game at Monster Stadium,
San Francisco in December 2007. The performance, broadcast nationally on the
NFL Network, was hailed by commentator
Bryant Gumbel as "a stirring performance." Maroulis has also performed the Anthem at
Madison Square Garden, in April 2009, before a crowd gathered to see the New York Knicks take on the New Jersey Nets.
[28] On July 4, 2009, Constantine sang the National Anthem at the official ceremonies to re-open the
Statue of Liberty's crown to the public, for the first time since its closure after
9/11.
[29]
Constantine (supported by Ben Phillips, guitarist/vocalist for the NYC-based hard rock band FAMOUS) embarked on another solo tour across the eastern U.S. in February 2008,
[30] playing to sold-out venues in various cities including
Boston,
Philadelphia,
New York, and
Annapolis, including a concert in
Hollywood, California. On June 22 he performed at Mattison Park in
Asbury Park, NJ as part of the 3rd Annual Wave Gathering featuring 175 Emerging Musical Artists.
[31]
On October 24, 2008 Constantine appeared on an episode of
Don't Forget the Lyrics!
as a contestant. As a result of his appearance on the show, $25,000 was given to the charitable organization Broadway Cares.
[32]
Acting career
In the fall of 2005, Maroulis was in negotiations to star in a television
sitcom called
Brooklyn
that was to be loosely based on his upbringing as the youngest of three in a large Greek-American family of New York. Disney's
ABC network bought rights to the show, courtesy of
Grammnet (of
Paramount, owned by
Kelsey Grammer). However, later ABC passed on the project before it passed the script stage.
On August 23, 2006,
Playbill
announced that Maroulis was joining the cast of the Broadway musical
The Wedding Singer
in the role of Sammy, alongside
Stephen Lynch.
[33] He joined the show in September. Along with the other cast members, he contributed a recording of the
Adam Sandler "
Hanukkah Song" to the 8th
Carols for a Cure
CD to help raise funds for the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS organization. That fall, Maroulis also appeared on various episodes of
MTV's
Little Talent Show
as host.
Beginning on January 9, 2007, Maroulis took over the role of "Young Soldier" in the Off-Broadway musical revue,
Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
[34]
where he performed through the end of February. That spring, Maroulis joined the lineup at
Fox's morning show
Good Day New York
, serving as the show's resident
American Idol
expert; while simultaneously taking on the same role as
Idol
commentator for
Yahoo! Buzz
. Later that year, Maroulis joined the cast of the
CBS daytime drama
The Bold and the Beautiful
for a limited run as
Constantine Parros, a singer and record producer.
[35] [36]
In February 2008, Maroulis appeared in a reading of
Eric Sanders' play
It's a Dry Heat
at Playwrights Horizons, opposite Tony Award-nominee
Isabel Keating and
Gillian Jacobs.
[37] March of that year saw Maroulis joining the cast of
American Idol Extra
as cohost, along with fellow
Idol
alum
Gina Glocksen and J.D. Roberto, broadcast on the
Fox Reality Channel.
[38] His next major role occurred that June, when Constantine starred as
Judas Iscariot in the Premier Theatre Company's production of
Jesus Christ Superstar
. The production also featured Joe Russo portraying Jesus, and Tara Beams as Mary Magdalene.
[39] When in high school, Constantine had previously played the role of Jesus, in an earlier production.
Constantine is starring on Broadway as Drew Bowie in
Rock of Ages
, a new musical featuring the music of 1980s rock legends including
Journey,
Bon Jovi, and
Twisted Sister.
[40] Rolling Stone
states that the "play has found a perfect lead in American Idol rocker Constantine Maroulis,"
[41] while
Associated Press
adds that Maroulis "gives a touching performance and sings powerfully as Drew, the young wannabe rock singer."
[42] Maroulis’ vocal performances have been particularly praised, with the
New York Times
describing his voice as “soulful, pure, and intense,”
[43]
and the
Chicago Tribune
singling out his “dazzling vocal pyrotechnics” as a standout in the production.
[44] The show was paid a sweet tribute by the landmark New York City restaurant Serendipity 3, which created a new dessert in its honor: the "I Wanna Rock Root Beer Float."
[45] In December 2008, it was announced that New Line Cinema would be turning
Rock of Ages
into a feature film.
[46] The stage production began running Off-Broadway at the New World Stages in October 2008,
[47] moving to Broadway in spring 2009; taking over the
Brooks Atkinson Theatre on April 7.
[48] On May 5, 2009 he received a nomination for the
Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.
[49]
Awards
Constantine was the recipient of the Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund's Humanitarian Award for Artistic Achievement in 2007. These annual awards recognizing outstanding achievement in the Greek-American community are presented to "individuals who have proven that hard work and dedication lead to achievement, thereby setting a perfect example for the HTSF scholarship recipients to emulate."
[50] That same year, he was also honored with an award from New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. at the sixth annual Greek Heritage and Culture Celebration; honoring individuals recognized as leaders in the Greek Community.
[51]
Inside Broadway, the not-for-profit educational organization noted for its efforts in introducing musical theater to young audiences in the
New York area, presented Constantine with a Broadway Beacon Award on June 25, 2009. These awards are given to individuals in recognition of their support of theater and arts education for the inspiration of young people.
[52]
On July 1, 2009, after a matinee performance of
Rock of Ages
, Constantine and the rest of the cast set a new
Guinness World Record for the Largest
Air Guitar Ensemble. A total of 810 participants, including audience members and fans, shattered the previous record of 440 people playing
air guitar simultaneously.
[53]
List of American Idol
performances
Week #
| Song Choice
| Original Artist
| Result
|
Top 24
| "Kiss from a Rose"
| Seal
| Safe
|
Top 20
| "Hard to Handle"
| The Black Crowes
| Safe
|
Top 16
| "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic"
| The Police
| Safe
|
Top 12
| "You've Made Me So Very Happy"
| Blood, Sweat & Tears
| Safe
|
Top 11
| "I Think I Love You"
| The Partridge Family
| Safe
|
Top 10
| "I Can't Make You Love Me"
| Bonnie Raitt
| Safe
|
Top 9
| "My Funny Valentine"
| Richard Rodgers/Lorenz Hart
| Safe
|
Top 8
| "Bohemian Rhapsody"
| Queen
| Safe
|
Top 7
| "Nights on Broadway"
| The Bee Gees
| Safe
|
Top 6
| "How You Remind Me"
| Nickelback
| Eliminated
|
Discography
Solo Albums
Pray For The Soul of Betty
- 2005: Pray For The Soul of Betty
Singles
- 2005: "My Funny Valentine" on American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers
- 2005: "Bohemian Rhapsody" on Killer Queen: A Tribute to Queen
- 2006: "Hanukkah Song" on Broadway's Greatest Gifts: Carols For A Cure Vol. 8
Other Releases
- 2007: Growing Up With Loukoumi
as Gus The Bear
- 2009: Loukoumi's Good Deeds
as Gus The Bear
- 2009: Rock of Ages: Original Broadway Cast Recording
References
- Athan Maroulis
- Constantine Maroulis:Biography
- Constantine Maroulis
- Tv.com
- Coutros, Evonne. " Starting 'Idol' on high note", The Record (Bergen County)'', February 27, 2005, accessed April 15, 2007. "Maroulis, a graduate of Ramapo High School in Franklin Lakes, is one of 20 remaining contestants on the popular television show "American Idol," which boasts ratings through the roof and a loyal audience."
- Columbia Gorge Repertory Theatre
- Moment of the Week
- Astro Boy (2004) Season One, Episode 9: Franken
- God of Vengeance
- Interview with Constantine Maroulis of RENT
- This Is Constantine Maroulis. He Wishes You Knew That.
- Constantine Maroulis
- Did an Internet Plot Get Constantine Maroulis Booted From American Idol 4?
- Age limit raised for 'American Idol'
- 'American Idol' Vets Bo Bice, Constantine Maroulis Can't Stop Rockin'
- Constantine falls on 'Idol'
- Betty Rocker: Idol Constantine's band to release an album May 10.
- HIS 'IDOL'? KIN KILLED ON 9-11
- This Is Constantine Maroulis. He Wishes You Knew That.
- Long Live Constantine
- American Idol Alum Constantine Breaks with Band
- Hard to beat
- Joyful "Jesus Christ Superstar"
- : RockMyMonkey.com-P.O. Box 828 Olympia, WA 98507 (360)789-0703
- ”Constantine Maroulis Releases Solo Album, August 7 "
- "UGK Thump Plies To Top Billboard Albums Chart"
- "Constantine's Contest for Charity"
- " 'ROCK OF AGES' Star Maroulis Sings National Anthem at MSG 4/15"
- "7 service members set to become citizens at Statue of Liberty's July 4th crown opening"
- "Constantine's East Coast Tour"
- "WAVE GATHERING 2009 FESTIVAL PREVIEW: ARTISTS"
- ”Constantine Maroulis to Appear on FOX's 'Don't Forget the Lyrics' Tonight"
- ”Constantine Maroulis Confirmed for Broadway's Wedding Singer"
- ”Jacques Brel Revival Welcomes Maroulis and Paterson Jan. 9"
- ”SOAPY IDOL: CONSTANTINE FEELS 'BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL'"
- ”Constantine Joins The Bold and the Beautiful"
- "'It's a Dry Heat' by Eric Sanders in Reading Tonight"
- ”Fox Reality Channel Brings the Excitement of American Idol From the Stage to Your Living Room"
- ”Wedding Singer's Maroulis to Star in Jesus Christ Superstar"
- "I Wanna Rock": New Musical Rock of Ages Begins Previews on Broadway March 17
- Poison, Hair and an “American Idol”: “Rock of Ages” Musical Hits NYC
- 'Rock of Ages' salutes the songs of the late '80s
- "Big-Hair Rockers Return in a New Arena: Broadway"
- "'Rock of Ages' on Broadway fights for the right to party"
- ROCK OF AGES Gets 'Creamed' at Serendipity 3!
- Headlines: Off-Broadway's Rock of Ages Headed to the Big Screen
- Idol Finalist Maroulis to Star in Off-Broadway's "Rock of Ages"
- Rock of Ages Sets Dates for Broadway's Brooks Atkinson Theatre
- http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/05/live-blogging-the-tony-award-nominations/?hp
- ”Hellenic Times Scholarship Fund: Looking to a Bright Greek American Future"
- THOMPSON HONORS FIVE NEW YORKERS AT SIXTH ANNUAL GREEK HERITAGE AND CULTURE CELEBRATION
- "Photo Coverage: Inside Broadway Beacon Awards"
- Photo Coverage: ROCK OF AGES Breaks Guinness World Record for Largest Air Guitar Ensemble!