Constantine Maroulis
The Wedding SingerDespite being a Constantine lover from the very start (who was shocked, shocked at his dismissal after singing Nickelback's ''How You Remind Me,'' a result I blame not on Mr. Maroulis but, rather, on the song), I cannot say I went into The Wedding Singer with any sort of optimism. But in this bizarre college-theater production masquerading as a big-ticket Broadway show, Constantine stands out as one of the top three things on stage. (He comes in right behind the woman playing Robbie's psycho ex-girlfriend Linda and the plane on a stick that appears in act 2.) Turns out everyone's favorite Greek rocker spent a summer as an apprentice at the Williamstown Theater Festival, and actually has a degree in musical theater from the Boston Conservatory of Music. A degree! So I suppose I shouldn't be surprised to discover that, in his role as Robbie's bass player/best friend Sammy, Maroulis exhibits terrific comedic timing, not-terribly-awkward dance skills, and a New Jersey accent that's both convincing and consistent. Audience members might be surprised, however, at how rarely Maroulis is the center of the show — Sammy's sidekick status has not been elevated to compensate for the Idol vet's relative fame, and he's got but one big number, ''Single,'' a boys'-night-out anthem in which he must concede spotlight space to chorus members. But the kid's a natural Broadway baby and he looks like he's having fun (this Village Voice profile aside). I'd like to see what he can do when not forced to sport a mullet. B+
