MC alumnus Adam Lambert competes on American Idol; makes top 8

MC alum Adam Lambert has recently become famous on the popular show “American Idol.” After last week’s “Tracks of My Tears” and Simon Cowell’s significant praise, Lambert is in the spotlight more than ever. But the most special part is that his career began right here in our theater.

“Adam was very passionate about musical theatre and music in general,” former MC turned Poway music teacher Nancy Gray said. “He was exceptionally talented for a high school student. The kind of student that may only come around once in a teacher’s career.”

While attending MC, Lambert participated in many shows.

“I met Adam his freshman year when he helped backstage for our spring musical, ‘The King and I,’” Gray said. “Adam was in Concert Choir his sophomore year and in our auditioned chamber choir Classical Vocal Ensemble his junior and senior years. I also worked with Adam on three different musicals: ‘The Music Man’ [in] ’98, ‘The Secret Garden’ [in] ’99 and ‘Pirates of Penzance’ [in] 2000. He had lead roles in ‘The Secret Garden’ and Pirates of ‘Penzance.’”

Westview teacher Doug Smith also worked with Lambert during his high school years at MC.

“Adam was in four of our productions at The Mount,” Smith said. “He was in our CETA award-winning production of ‘The Crucible,’ he played Bottom in ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and had the lead in the musicals his junior and senior year. He was Archibald from ‘The Secret Garden’ and Frederic in ‘The Pirates of Penzance.’ By the way, we took an entry from ‘The Secret Garden’ that featured Adam’s performance to the Fullerton College Theatre Festival the first year that Mt. Carmel competed, and it won 2nd place.”

Lambert enjoyed high school, Gray said, and he was just like most other students — enjoyed certain things more than others. Theater and choir were the things he loved.

“He was friendly and outgoing,” Gray said. “I loved listening to him sing. He knew how to sell any song and take command of the stage.”

Smith agreed with Gray, mentioning that Lambert was a pleasure to work with.

“He is a consummate entertainer and really knows how to connect with an audience,” Smith said.

Despite Lambert’s obvious success in his high school productions, it was hard to imagine him truly becoming famous.

“I knew Adam would be successful since he was so passionate about singing and extremely talented,” Gray said.

“I’m now an avid fan of American Idol.  I think Adam’s performances have been amazing, and his stage presence cannot be matched. His creativity and unbelievable vocals will take him far in this competition. I don’t think there is anyone who can sing as well as he can or works as hard. I believe his experience in singing all styles of music will be a huge benefit in the competition. I’m looking forward to him singing a ballad so America can really hear his amazing voice.”

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