The CultureMap Interview

New dad, future movie star? Ex Idol Constantine Maroulis set to rock Houstonwith big dreams

Constantine Maroulis in "Rock of Ages"
Photo by Joan Marcus
Constantine Maroulis on "American Idol"
Constantine Maroulis

Boy meets girl. Girl meets boy. They fall in love and they sing '80s hard rock.

He's a big dreamer, she's a small-town girl. Big hair, bodacious and totally awesome tunes make this an ideal fit for American Idol Season Four contestant, Constantine Maroulis.

Maroulis is playing Drew Bowie in Rock of Ages, which starts a Houston run Tuesday night at the Hobby Center in a Theater Under the Stars (TUTS) presentation. CultureMap caught with the busy rocker prior to his visit.

CultureMap: I remember watching your live performance of "Bohemian Rhapsody" on Season Four of American Idol and I was hooked. I think it defined your hard, bad-ass approach to rock.

Recently, we saw you on American Idol with a softer of version of you, performing "Unchained Melody."

Though American Idol gave you a push, you are a trained musician, having attended the Boston Conservatory. How much do you credit American Idol in helping you propel your career?

Constantine Maroulis: These experiences were a part of my whole process, part of what makes me today and the artist that I am. American Idol was a tremendous adventure where I learned about myself, about the business, about being a complete performer and work under those type of circumstances, meaning, on the greatest facilities with a lot at stake. It was an amazing learning experience, one that I draw from to help me excel in my future.

My training at the Boston Conservatory? It's what worked for me. It's not what works for everyone. Some people can do this at a very young age, go to New York and find work. Everyone has their own path. But I do believe in higher education.

It was an honor to return recently to American Idol after I had experienced success in the world of entertainment. They invite those that have had a positive experience. It was great to be recognized and the opportunity to come back on the show was huge. I had a long stretch without doing a performance like that because of Rock of Ages, so it was very exciting to do it.

It's different to perform there (American Idol stage). It's a cavernous space, if you are not used to it, the sound can really escape you and you run the risk of getting off the song easily. It's quite daunting, so was excited to learn that it was received well.

CultureMap: Rock of Ages seems like it was written for you, showcasing '80s metal, Bon Jovi, Pat Benater, Twisted Sister, Steve Perry and others. You play Drew Bowie, a musician that comes of age, finding success and maturing through music. It appears to be your story.

Maroulis: The great part about creating a role from the very beginning is that I have quite a say in how the character develops. It gave me an opportunity to inject myself and my life experiences into the role. It was wonderful to be able to work with a young writer and director along with other amazing performers and creators.

I injected a lot of myself into Drew. He had to leave something behind, a crappy job and bust his ass. The girls didn't pay him any attention because he wasn't a rock star. At one point, he meets the girl who changes everything about his world. I have had that experience.

CultureMap: You were nominated for a Tony for Best Performance by a Leading Actor for the role. Gosh, what did it feel like to receive such an honor?

Maroulis: I felt like I did win. The committee obviously recognized the work. It's the highest honor and something I dreamed about as a kid. I always wanted this and I plan on doing more good work.

CultureMap: You've dabbled with television already. You had a run at The Bold and the Beautiful, served as American Idol expert for Good Day New York and almost launched a sitcom. Rock of Ages, the movie, is coming in 2012, though Diego Boneta will be playing Drew. Is movie stardom next for you?

Maroulis: The thought of being in the movies has always been a dream of mine. Right now, I am trying to concentrate on doing my best in Rock of Ages, though it's very exciting to think that the movie is in the works. It's a testament to the hard work that the cast has put forth.

CultureMap: You are a new father! With such a hectic schedule, how do you balance between work, play and family responsibilities?

Maroulis: Malena James Reed-Maroulis was born December 23. She is amazing, my greatest gift. She changes everyday and it's cool to see. It's difficult to be away from her, but that's part of the lifestyle of a traveling musician, a sacrifice you make.

I am looking forward to returning to Houston. Last time I was there, I did Rent. It's really a great city.

Watch Constantine Maroulis and Amy Spanger sing "High Enough" at the 2009 Tony Awards Nomination concert:

Theater Under the Stars (TUTS) presents Rock of Ages from May 31 to June 12 at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at $24. VIP stage-side seating with food service available. Pre-party at Saint Arnold Brewery on Thursday night.

For more information, click here. To purchase tickets, click here.

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Movie Review

Steven Spielberg captivates with new aliens drama Disclosure Day

Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment

Tommy Martinez, Emily Blunt, and Josh O'Connor in Disclosure Day.

With the release of Disclosure Day, Steven Spielberg has now directed 17 feature films over 26 years in the 21st century, the exact same number over the exact same period of time he did in the 20th century. The first half of his career was mostly defined by his blockbuster films, while the second half has seen him exploring a lot more serious material. Disclosure Day marries the two for an experience only he could deliver.

The film starts in medias res, as Dr. Daniel Kellner (Josh O’Connor) is being pursued by Noah Scanlon (Colin Firth) and a team of henchmen for stealing intellectual property from Wardex, a government contractor for which he works. As the audience gradually discovers, Daniel is a cyber-security programmer who has discovered evidence of alien life in the company’s servers. He and others within the company, including Hugo Wakefield (Colman Domingo), are determined to release the information to the public.

Concurrently, television meteorologist Margaret Fairchild (Emily Blunt) starts experiencing weird things, including the ability to speak multiple languages and read people’s minds. Without either of them actively trying to seek each other out, Daniel and Margaret are set on a path to meet, with Scanlon (with the help of a mysterious alien device) trying to track their every move.

Directed by Spielberg and written by David Koepp, the film is an almost even mix between classic Spielberg wonder and a deep story about what it is to be human. By starting the film in the middle of the story, Spielberg immediately ramps up the excitement level. While the movie has relatively little action, that sequence and a few others deliver the type of propulsiveness for which Spielberg is revered, keeping the 145-minute film moving at a brisk pace.

Of the different types of alien movies Spielberg has made over the years, this one is closer to Close Encounters of the Third Kind than E.T. The story ponders the ethical, religious, political, and sociological effects that revealing the existence of aliens could have on the world. The debates had by various characters purposefully take the film out of being a sheer popcorn flick, forcing the audience to grapple with issues that they may have never considered before.

Unlike some other Spielberg films, he and Koepp don’t hold the audience’s collective hand throughout the story. There are a lot of times when viewers have to use context clues to understand exactly what is happening. That especially goes for an extremely important aspect of the world in which the story takes place that could pass you by if you’re only paying attention to the main characters’ dialogue. Spielberg’s using only subtle allusions for an element which would be the main focus of most other films is a fascinating choice.

O’Connor (Wake Up Dead Man, Challengers) has that everyman quality that a story like this needs. It always feels like it's him against the world, and does a terrific job of exuding both confidence and fear. Blunt delivers a fantastic performance, switching between confusion and composure with ease. Firth makes for a solid villain, and the story is helped by great turns from Domingo and Eve Hewson.

The idea that the nearly 80-year-old Steven Spielberg is still making blockbuster-style movies over 50 years after he made Jaws is astonishing, and the fact that he still knows how to make them work is even more impressive. Disclosure Day may not be the type of alien movie many were expecting, but it’s another high water mark in a career that has been full of them.

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Disclosure Day opens in theaters on June 12.

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