Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken bring pitch-perfect voices, boy band moves to Newark, Ohio

Timeless songs. Big personalities. Show-stopping performances.

Those were some of the elements that made “American Idol” must-see TV in its heyday 20 years ago. You really had to be there to truly understand, but Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken’s concert Tuesday night in Newark captured some of that magic.

Season-two winner Studdard and runner-up Aiken brought “Twenty: The Tour” to the Midland Theatre, where they told stories, delivered comedy bits and performed numbers that made them household names during their “Idol” era. The reception from the packed venue was warm; most of the audience appeared to be people who contributed to the pool of about 124 millionvotes cast for the men in 2003—though the family-friendly show would be appealing to anyone who appreciates powerful singers and classic R&B and pop.

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Backed by a solid live band, Studdard appeared onstage first, singing his signature cover of “Superstar,” made popular by Luther Vandross. Then, the literal spotlight was on Aiken, who sang Journey’s “Open Arms.”

Then, both performers—wearing matching shiny jackets resembling a grandmother’s couch, Aiken joked—joined together for a cover of Elton John's "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me.” (Do yourself a favor and Google Aiken’s rendition with an impersonator on the season-five finale of “American Idol.”)

After some funny banter, Studdard and Aiken launched into their own version of “Motown Week” on “American Idol,” singing classics by the Temptations, the Four Tops, Martha Reeves & the Vandellas and others. When one sang lead, the other sang backup, along with another backing vocalist, while performing some famous Motown dance moves.

During one standout segment of the show, Studdard and Aiken used quick costume changes to launch into different songs. Studdard donned a curly wig to perform Rick James' “Give it to Me Baby,” and Aiken pulled on a glittery purple jacket to sing Wham’s “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.”

When the guys changed into jean jackets, they tore through songs by New Kids on the Block, Boyz II Men, the Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC. Aiken actually did the signature dances during “You Got It (The Right Stuff)" and “Bye Bye Bye.”

Following a 15-minute intermission, Aiken appeared onstage by himself and offered the first line of a classic Lionel Richie song: “Hello, is it me you’re looking for?”

The audiences shouted a resounding “Yes!”

Studdard appeared and playfully scolded Aiken for trying to steal the show.

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Aiken arguably has the stronger fan base; after all, they gave themselves the name “Claymates” two decades ago. It’s easy to see why: he is a powerhouse singer, and his voice is still clear as a bell. While he offered stunning renditions of the Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody" and Simon & Garfunkel's “Bridge over Troubled Water”—which earned him a standing ovation—it was his cover of “Unchained Melody,” made popular by the Righteous Brothers, that especially demonstrated his vocal control, range and knack for knowing how to let a song simmer and build to a climax.

But Studdard is no slouch. For the first half of the concert, he showed off the buttery tone that earned him the “velvet teddy bear” nickname from Gladys Knight. During the second half, he really came alive, presenting a dynamic belting voice on “Too Much Heaven” by the Bee Gees, "Kiss and Say Goodbye” by the Manhattans and his own hit song, “Flying Without Wings.” He also impressed during a Luther Vandross set and a beautiful, haunting cover of the Broadway classic “The Impossible Dream (The Quest)" with Aiken.

Though a part of me secretly hoped to hear a bit of Studdard’s “Sorry 2004”—simply for the sake of nostalgia—the two performers put on a flawless show, which could work extremely well as a Vegas residency in the future. Aiken admitted that the opportunity to perform again with Studdard—the two did a Broadway show in 2018—brought him out of a break from performing. Aiken not sharing his gift is criminal, so I’m imploring the powers that be to keep creating opportunities for the duo to perform.

I and the millions of other “American Idol” voters can’t be wrong, and we will show up, which Aiken and Studdard acknowledged from the stage on Tuesday night.

“You put us here,” Aiken said. “You picked up the phone.”

ethompson@dispatch.com

@miss_ethompson

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Review: Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken earn standing ovation in Ohio