Justin Guarini Lives! (On Broadway?)

American Idol cynics bug you with revisionist history. They caw, "I mean, Idol gave us Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood, but they also gave us (sniff, cackle) Justin Guarini." The butterscotch Afro was tired, sure, but hear this: Guarini's talent has always stood for itself, and American Idol wouldn't have been compelling in its inaugural season without him. Now, he's finally getting his comeuppance on the Great White Way.

According to the NYT, Guarini has been cast in the Broadway musical version of Pedro Almodóvar's Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown alongside Patti LuPone, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Sherie Rene Scott and Laura Benanti. He'll play Carlos, the son of Mitchell's character Ivan.

With names like those buttressing the playlist, Guarini stands a chance of competing for a Tony nod like fellow Idol alum Constantine Maroulis, who earned a nomination for his performance in Rock of Ages. Just for the purposes of my Idol defenses, I hope it works out for him. Now all I need is a Melinda Doolittle comeback in a Funny Girl revival and Siobhan Magnus in Annie -- and, God willing, a triumph for Brian Dunkleman in i Pagliacci at the Met. Cry, clown! For all of us!

From Idol to Broadway: Justin Guarini Joins 'Women on the Verge' Musical [NYT]