'Idol' winner Studdard explains how he came to star in a musical

Ruben Studdard got married in June, turned 30 in September and hit the road starring in the Tony Award-winning musical "Ain't Misbehavin'" in November.

Dubbed the "Velvet Teddy Bear," the singer won the second season of the wildly popular "American Idol" TV show in 2003, and it changed his life forever. Since then, he's released three albums and received a Grammy Award nomination in 2004 for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Superstar."

He was approached to do the Broadway musical two years ago.

"I didn't really have any desire to do it at all," he says between yawns on his tour bus traveling from Seattle to Spokane, Wash., for a show. "I didn't think I was ready for it. I have great respect for those who can do eight shows a week."

So why the change of heart?

"They showed really strong interest," he says with a laugh. "I was promoting my third album in New York, and I was the first person to sign on to the play. They were persistent."

The revue, which won the 1978 Tony for best musical, features the music of Thomas "Fats" Waller against a backdrop of 1930s Harlem. Studdard and other cast members star as themselves, and there's no real story line - just music, dancing and frivolity. Songs include "The Joint is Jumpin'," "Honeysuckle Rose," "Your Feet's Too Big" and, of course, "Ain't Misbehavin'."

In this version of "Ain't Misbehavin'," not only do you get one "American Idol" star, you get three. Studdard's Season 2 co-competitors Frenchie Davis and Trenyce Cobbins are also onboard. You might remember Davis as the idol who was booted after topless photos appeared on the Internet. She stars in the role that Nell Carter made famous.

The "American Idol" trio isn't alone in its trek to Broadway fare. The list can be counted on two hands and includes Clay Aiken, who came in second place to Studdard on "Idol," in "Spamalot," Diana Degarmo in "Hairspray," "Godspell" and "Oz the Musical," Fantasia Barrino in "The Color Purple," and Constantine Maroulis in "The Wedding Singer," "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Rock of Ages."

"Ain't Misbehavin'" isn't Studdard's first time onstage. He also toured briefly in a comedy-drama with Robin Givens called "Heaven I Need a Hug," about a boxer who quits the ring and then struggles with family and faith.

Is the theater his future? It's too soon to say, and Studdard won't commit to anything except his anticipation for his next album, "Love Is," a collection of love songs due out May 19. Working with Terry Lewis, Jimmy Jam and others, it includes covers and original tunes.

"It's what everybody's been waiting on from me," he says. "My intention was to do great music, and love songs ended up sounding the best with my voice."

One interesting tidbit about his love life: The singer met his wife, Surata, at an autograph signing at Wal-Mart in Alabama. She was there to get an autograph for a friend and, he said, "the rest is history."

DETAILS

AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'

When: 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday
Where: Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave.
Tickets: $30-$50; 520-7469 or pikespeakcenter.com.