Former Norcross resident Tamyra Gray (’Idol,’ season one) joins local play ‘Our Time Has Come’
Tamyra Gray returns to Atlanta to play the daughter of the future president in "Our Time Has Come." Here, she is rehearsing her narration role at a Marietta theater Feb. 16, 2012. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com
For fans of vintage “American Idol,” the name Tamyra Gray resonates.
In 2002, the former Norcross and Stone Mountain resident was the first “surprise” ouster on the burgeoning hit show, leaving in fourth place, behind Nikki McKibbin, Justin Guarini and winner Kelly Clarkson.
Many experts and fans at the time expected she would be competing with Kelly for the win – including a very sour Simon Cowell, who was a fan from day one.
Ten years later, the only genuine star from that first group of ten was Clarkson, who is going headline a Fox Theatre concert in Atlanta Thursday.
After stints on TV, film and Broadway, Gray’s star faded. In 2006, she married music producer and songwriter Sam Watters (Color Me Badd) and had a daughter Sienna Marie in 2010. While being a mother has been great, she said she is ready to get back into the entertainment world.
I caught up with Gray last week in Marietta preparing for a role in a play at 14th Street Playhouse called “Our Time Has Come.” It debuted last Saturday and runs through March 4. [You can buy tickets here.]
Playwright Sylvester Stephens wrote a play in 2001 envisioning America’s first black president in 2008, long before Barack Obama pursued such a goal. Gray plays the president’s daughter and narrator, covering 1949 to 2009, for 10 of the 18 performances. The play is expected to tour several cities in the Southeast in April.
“It’s a fictional story with actual facts,” Gray noted. “We’ll talk about Martin Luther King Jr. Emmett Till. Civil rights leaders who were slain. But the president is fictional. Nobody in 2001 thought it would happen.”
And how about this for coming full circle? When Stephens was putting the play together in 2002, Gray tried out for the role by doing a monologue where she played a teen who killed her baby. She decided to audition for “American Idol” instead. The writer never forgot her and invited her back.
The play, Gray said, is a “call to action. Remember the struggles of history to able to voice your opinion in this upcoming election.” As a Democrat, she plans to campaign for Pres. Obama later this year and become more politically active in general.
She flew in from her home in Los Angeles earlier this month to spend her first extended time in Atlanta in years. (Her mom, an accountant, still lives here.) She hasn’t been able to check out how Atlanta has changedf all that much because she’s been busy learning 16 monologues, two acting scenes and three songs. “I’m putting in 12-hour days,” she said. “In order to tell a story about history, you have to know history.”
When I told her when Clarkson was performing, Gray said that was a night off for her and she plans to be there. (The last time she and Kelly had spoken was right before she had Sienna.) It’s been even longer since she spoke with Justin, who will be in Atlanta next month for “Ghost Brothers of Darkland County,” created by John Mellencamp and Stephen King at the Alliance Theatre.
I asked Gray if could have been Beyonce, going the path of an R&B or pop star. “I don’t think I could have,” she said. “I think everybody aspires to have that type of status…. I think it’s because there’s so much I want to do. I couldn’t be that laser focused.”
Variety works for her, she said. Over the years, she’s acted in TV (”Half & Half,” “What I Like About You,” “Boston Public”), Broadway (”Bombay Dreams,” “Rent”) and film (”The Gospel,” “Rachel Getting Married”). She released one record, “The Dreamer,” which sold a relatively modest 130,000 copies in 2004.
Here she is from a decade ago:
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By Rodney Ho, Radio & TV Talk
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122 comments Add your comment
Rodney Ho
February 21st, 2012
1:47 pm
@Rickster The lighting in that room while she was rehearsing was very very blue indeed.
Just got a note from Fox that Simon Cowell and LA Reid are holding an X Factor press conference tomorrow. Huh? Now? Why?
JTesla
February 21st, 2012
2:03 pm
Rodney: to try and steal some of Idol and The Voice’s thunder. Either that or to announce that they are just going to give it up and spare us.
Rickster
February 21st, 2012
2:04 pm
either to announce:
1. New judges and/or host
2. That the show will be cancelled.
3. That Simon has changed his mind, and Paula, Nicole & Robohost will all be back.
I’m thinking that the first option is more likely
Pitchy
February 21st, 2012
2:12 pm
Calling a conference to discuss Rickster’s #1
G
February 21st, 2012
2:55 pm
@Pitchy. Not saying the talent from The Voice is bad, but no one has blown me away like last season. At this point, I haven’t even seen any contestants better than XF top 3.
Anyone watching The Walking Dead? If so, what do you think about Lori trying to clean up her mess with Shane? That dialogue with Rick…………
Mercedes S.
February 21st, 2012
2:59 pm
Pleas, stop, G! I still have two recorded “Walkings” to watch…
At least put up spoiler warnings!
G
February 21st, 2012
3:04 pm
LOL @ Mercedes!!! Sorry….I’m just anxious to talk about it. My co-worker hasn’t caught up either. All I’ll say for now………it’s another good one!
Deirdre
February 21st, 2012
3:12 pm
I think Lori is not being realistic about Shane’s state of mind, G. Can’t say much more but I’m feeling a little Lady MacBeth-ish about this.
Pitchy
February 21st, 2012
3:12 pm
Anybody here watch Nikita???
Sam-A
February 21st, 2012
3:13 pm
G: I DVR “Walking Dead” and watch on Friday night, so I haven’t seen this week’s yet either. But dying to after last weeks huge happenings, especially what’s going to be outside the bar’s doors – but dont’ tell me!!! Still 3 more days to go!
Jenny
February 21st, 2012
3:29 pm
Hi everyone. Well, I can’t chime in on the Voice, as I haven’t seen much of it. I keep thinking I should watch it, but never do… Idol seems to be enough for me.
Mercedes, I remember Adam pretty clearly from his audition. He did a great version of “Bohemian Rhapsody” (and later I saw an audition clip where he also did “Rock With You”.) I picked him straight from the auditions as my favorite… there was just something about him… (though I’m with the group who thinks he was much cuter before all the hair and makeup.)
Pitchy, when did you post the cheat sheet? It was me who wanted it… I saw some tips here and there, but don’t remember a cheat sheet. I will definitely go back and look for it!
G
February 21st, 2012
3:30 pm
Come on guys [Sam-A & Mercedes], let’s pick up the pace! LOL! Yeah D…Lori is something else…..
Do you guys thing Shane or Rick is a better leader? I guess that’s a safe question at this point. I would like to say Shane, but uh….okay, I’ll wait til you’re caught up.
G
February 21st, 2012
3:32 pm
Do you guys “think” Shane or Rick is a better leader?
Jenny
February 21st, 2012
3:33 pm
oh, and check out this clip from Hollywood! Gotta love how determined he was… “I want to take songs and change them up, twist them, I CAN!” Yep, he sure could!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pdrfqJ4NL0
Rickster
February 21st, 2012
3:34 pm
Don’t know much about the show… but I sure like the Rick’s name.
Rickster
February 21st, 2012
3:39 pm
There are few words that are sweeter for a man to hear than, “Love you, daddy!” from their little girl.
kelly&carriefan
February 21st, 2012
3:43 pm
G, LOL. I’m caught up! But I won’t spoil it, so yeah. I agree with you on that.
Sam-A
February 21st, 2012
3:43 pm
Not me, Pitchy – but who do you think “A” is on “Pretty Little Liars”?! What’s going on with Spencer’s sister, and where is she leading Spencer? Got pretty intense this week.
Sam-A
February 21st, 2012
3:47 pm
K&CF: you must be biting nails by now -in about 53 or so hours, you’ll be watching our Kelly. Lucky girl. Hope there’s a great crowd there for her. Had she come back to the “Cobb Center” I might have gone – Fox on a work night for an “older” gal just doesn’t work for me.
Mercedes S.
February 21st, 2012
3:51 pm
Thanks, Jenny!
I’ve been busy catching up on “Southland”, next to “The Closer” my favorite cop show. Have caught up with “Revenge” (yum!), “Once Upon a Time” and “Unforgettable”.
Pitchy
February 21st, 2012
3:56 pm
@Jenny – here it is:
http://www.karaokebus.tzo.com/blog_formatting
DanJ
February 21st, 2012
4:01 pm
I loved Tamyra and thought she would be in the final. Justin? Really! It still ticks me off!
I agree the auditions phase on The Voice is the best part of the show. Love the banter between the judges. Best panel on any of the shows IMO. Don’t like the sing-off. If they didn’t go head-to-head it would be okay. Maybe back-to-back with an elimination. The show needs a few tweeks to be really good. I think it appeals to the younger viewers where as it now seems Idol is leaning towards older viewers. Which isn’t a bad thing considering there’s too many talent/singing shows on television.
Pitchy
February 21st, 2012
4:01 pm
@Sam-A – too funny you watch Pretty Little Liars. I watch it because of my child. Haven’t watched this weeks, but it’s recorded. I’m still trying to figure out “A”…
@Mercedes – I’ve caught up on Revenge and Southland. Love The Closer as well. Never watched Once Upon and although I’ve always like Poppy, Unforgettable has excited me enough to watch. Revenge is so so good.
G
February 21st, 2012
4:03 pm
Every since The Wire has been off television, it’s been kind of hard to keep up with cop shows. Even though The Wire was more than a cop series, I just find myself viewing old seasons. The Wire is by far the best series I’ve ever seen. Sapranos was good too, but The Wire was sooo addictive.
Nowadays, Criminal Minds is probably the closest I get to some form of a cop show. Maybe a little bit of CSI.
Does anyone check out Lizard Lick Towing? Love that show.
Pitchy
February 21st, 2012
4:09 pm
Criminal Minds is good…their repeats stay on too long.
Sam-A
February 21st, 2012
4:10 pm
Love and miss “The Closer” – only 6 more episodes, and not until June.
My alltime fave shows ever on tv: “I Love Lucy”, “X Files”, “Seinfeld”, “Wonder Years”, “Knots Landing”, with “24″,”Closer”, “The OC”, “Friends”, “Miami Vice”, “Designing Women” not too far behind!
kelly&carriefan
February 21st, 2012
4:12 pm
Sam-A, I too watch Pretty Little Liars. I haven’t seen this week’s tho! I’ll try to catch it tonight at some point, but I’m curious to see where it leads. I’m ready to know who A is…or who killed Allison. Just give me a crumb! BTW, I really hadn’t paid attention to how many hours are left until Kelly’s show…until now. Yes, I cannot wait to see the show. I’m sure it’ll be fantastic. I don’t mind the venue as long as I have a good seat. I’ll be sure to give a recap!
As far as shows, Revenge is definitely on the list. The only cop show I watch is Blue Bloods and that’s mostly due to Tom Selleck…I’ll watch him in anything!
Harriett
February 21st, 2012
4:13 pm
I am a huge Revenge fan! I cannot wait for the next episode and even watch those that are re-run to recapture the excitement! This week’s episode was especially gripping!
Deirdre
February 21st, 2012
4:24 pm
Anyone know when or even if The Killing is coming back? At this point, I just want to know who killed Rosie Larson and move on!
Deirdre
February 21st, 2012
4:26 pm
Went looking and found it myself. April 1st.
Pitchy
February 21st, 2012
4:27 pm
I didn’t see anyone kill Allison so I don’t know if she’s really dead. Is she?
JTesla
February 21st, 2012
4:32 pm
Hello! This is an American Idol blog! Tamyra Gray or else! So, Sam… The OC? Really? What no Chips? A-Team? Battlestar Galactica (the first one)?
Tamyra is cool.
Jenny
February 21st, 2012
4:33 pm
Thanks Pitchy! Perfect!
Sam-A
February 21st, 2012
4:38 pm
JT, Really, the OC! the other junk – no way. “OC” was cool – had the teen stories and the adult stories – really interesting show.
kelly&carriefan
February 21st, 2012
4:39 pm
D, The Killing and Game of Thrones both come back on the same day…at the same time. I, too, am looking forward to finding out who killed Rosie.
Pitchy, I do recall there being a stretcher and a funeral for Allison. As far as her death, going on episodes until last week, I don’t believe they’ve shown footage of that moment (yet).
JT, I’m not Sam-A, but you totally missed out Magnum, p.i. which was awesome!
Jenny
February 21st, 2012
4:40 pm
And speaking of old shows we loved, who remembers American Dreams from several years ago? Now there was some GREAT music on that show! Many of today’s musicians did a great job portraying 1960s stars… I didn’t always remember the original songs, but for the most part loved the re-creations!
Sam-A
February 21st, 2012
4:50 pm
Was that the show with Britney Snow, about a Bandstand type show. If so, Kelly actually played Brenda Lee on it. They had lots of singers playing old singers.
kelly&carriefan
February 21st, 2012
4:52 pm
Jenny, I loved American Dreams! It was such a fun, family show. And Kelly appeared portraying Brenda Lee twice.
kelly&carriefan
February 21st, 2012
4:53 pm
Sam-A, ha, beat me to it! Yes, that was it.
Sam-A
February 21st, 2012
4:53 pm
Jenny, as a matter of fact:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6I9ujDPopg
Jenny
February 21st, 2012
4:54 pm
And funny… none other than Kelly Clarkson appeared twice on the show, portraying Brenda Lee! (I didn’t actually remember this, but googled after my last post…. was trying to remember some of the guest performers.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Dreams#Special_guests
Jenny
February 21st, 2012
4:55 pm
Haha!! Y’all beat me to it while I was busy googling! Guess I should refresh my page next time before I post!
Jenny
February 21st, 2012
5:00 pm
Two of my other favorites were LeAnn Rimes as Connie Francis (”Where the Boys Are”) and Michelle Branch as Lesley Gore (”You Don’t Own Me”). Makes me wish I’d been around for the original songs!
Rickster
February 21st, 2012
5:06 pm
Have a great evening, everyone. Less than 24 hours till Idol!!
Pitchy
February 21st, 2012
5:15 pm
You’re Welcome, Jenny! Enjoy
Deirdre
February 21st, 2012
5:15 pm
Loved Magnum! Also I was a big fan of Northern Exposure. Having lived in the northern most part of Maine and watched moose walk through my front yard…I could sympathize!
Pitchy
February 21st, 2012
5:17 pm
@Jenny – loved American Dreams.
Deirdre
February 21st, 2012
5:18 pm
k&cf…Game of Thrones…yay! I have read all the books in the series now and am really looking forward to the second season. I am going to be very grateful to my dvr again, I see.
JTesla
February 21st, 2012
5:29 pm
Magnum P.I. Was awesome!
Mercedes S.
February 21st, 2012
6:09 pm
And 100…
Sam, what about the best TV comedy ever – Mary Tyler-Moore??