Constantine Maroulis lost "American Idol" during the fourth season, landing in sixth place, but he now has the chance to win a Tony Award on June 7. Maroulis will compete in the race for best musical actor for his role in "Rock of Ages." He's up against Gavin Creel ("Hair"), Brian d'Arcy James ("Shrek: The Musical"), J. Robert Spencer ("Next to Normal") and the three performers (David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish) who alternate in the lead role in "Billy Elliot."
"Rock of Ages" is set in a Hollywood rock club in the late 1980s and features hit songs from Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar and others. It premiered at the Vanguard Hollywood in January 2006 and later found its way to off-Broadway last October. It opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre in March.
