A Year in the Life of Star of the Year Constantine Maroulis

2009 began with a bang for Broadway veteran Constantine Maroulis, when his off-Broadway star vehicle, Rock of Ages, left its raucous home at New World Stages in January to prepare for a Rialto transfer. A whirlwind rehearsal and preview process got the ball rolling in February and March, followed a starry opening night in April, the announcement of his Tony Award nomination in May and an epic Tony ceremony performance in June. And that was just Maroulis' first six months! We pulled out a few the star’s 2009 high points and paired them with his everyday antics (via his own Twitter feed, viewable at @ConstantineM) for a closer look at a year in the life of our own Star of the Year, Constantine Maroulis.

January 4
Rock of Ages plays its final face-melting performance at New World Stages, with Broadway on the horizon.

March 17
Broadway previews of Rock of Ages begin at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Constantine fans flick lighters in celebration.

April 7
Rock of Ages opens on Broadway. Constantine and his real-life band rock at the Edison Hotel after-party. Meanwhile, critics post positive reviews. 

May 5
Tony Award nominations are announced. Constantine nabs nod for Best Actor, accompanied by Billy Elliot’s David Alvarez, Trent Kowalik and Kiril Kulish; Hair’s Gavin Creel; Shrek’s Brian d’Arcy James; and Next to Normal’s J. Robert Spencer.

June 7
Maroulis and the Rock of Ages cast perform at 2009 Tony Awards ceremony, and look on as special ROA guest performer Bret Michaels of Poison takes the term “head-banging” to new heights.

June 26
Constantine remembers Twitter password. Begins tweeting religiously.

July 1
Rock of Ages breaks Guinness World Record for Largest Air Guitar Ensemble. Constantine is one of 810 air-shredders who smash the previous title-holders, a posse of 440 rockers from the UK.

July 3
Dreams come true! Die-hard Yankee fan Maroulis is visited backstage by Johnny Damon, Francisco Cervelli and David Robertson. All four flash the metal sign.

July 7
Rock of Ages releases original Broadway cast album. Maroulis’ pitch perfect "Waiting for a Girl Like You," among others, is officially downloadable for posterity.

August 4
Constantine announces renewed contract with Rock of Ages, guaranteeing that audiences can catch the original, Tony-nominated “Drew” through summer 2010.

August 11
Constantine scores a new Blackberry 8900 Curve. Declares it “so sick!”

August 26
Constaine checks out a game from the Legend Seats at Yankee Standium alongside Sir Paul McCartney, mega-producer Lorne Michaels and Oscar winner Jack Nicholson, which is extremely cool.

September 13
Constantine sings at Broadway on Broadway, then rushes to perform for private dinner at New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s estate. Tweets enthusiasm over mayoral decor thusly: “Dude Bloomberg’s house is CRAZZZZZZZZZYYYYY!!!!!”

September 15
Maroulis takes in Fashion Week like an Anna Wintour confidante, sitting front row at the Badgley Mischka show. Admires designs and models equally.

September 17
The Broadway star celebrates his 34th birthday. Happy birthday, Constantine!

September 23
Constantine sells out with his solo A Night at the Rock Show gig at Joe’s Pub. The rocking continues.

October 12
After scoring a 42” Sharp Aquos high-def television, Constantine hangs it in his bedroom. He can now count the hairs on Johnny Damon's face during Yankee games from comfort of his own bed.

October 13
Constantine gets a flu shot. Medical experts across the country approve.

October 14
Continues to sell out Joe’s Pub with another A Night at the Rock Show solo concert.

October 26
Rock of Ages hosts the first-ever Golden Mullet Awards, co-sponsored by Broadway.com. Constantine and co-star Kerry Butler score a trophy for Best “In the Heat of the Moment” Moment. Acceptance speech is mercilessly interrupted by costar Adam Dannheisser.

November 19
Kerry Butler and Constantine shred “High Enough” at birthday girl Miley Cyrus’ private, 80s themed Canal Room party. Tabloids gossip about alleged Cyrus-Maroulis flirtation.

November 23
Gossip columns flame again with rumors of a romantic encounter between socialite Tinsley Mortimer and Maroulis. Hey, there's no such thing as bad press.

November 24
Maroulis ignores gossip entirely, heads to native New Jersey to do good holiday deed: judging the sixth annual Snowflake Awards at Liberty House, an event to raise funds for school art departments.

November 26
Shock jock magician David Blaine drops in backstage at Rock of Ages. Maroulis is spellbound by his card tricks.

December 6
After a two-show day on Broadway, Maroulis rings in the holidays with Twisted Sister at Nokia Theater. "We're Not Gonna Take It" now considered a Christmas carol.

December 10
The Rock star is nominated for Broadway.com’s 2009 Star of the Year alongside Daniel Craig, Gavin Creel, Will Ferrell, Hugh Jackman, Angela Lansbury, Alice Ripley and Geoffrey Rush.

December 14
Costantine continues to spread holiday cheer with vocal appearance on ASTEP's New York City Christmas, dueting "I'll Be Home for Christmas/Christmas in America" with fellow Tony Award nominee Orfeh. 

December 27
Maroulis watches Wedding Crashers between shows at Rock of Ages. Favorite line: “I made you a painting. It’s sexual and violent.”

December 28
Declared Broadway.com’s 2009 Star of the Year!