Claybourne Elder Returns to Musical Roots with Debut Solo Album 'If the Stars Were Mine'
Nearly a year after concluding his role on HBO's The Gilded Age, Claybourne Elder is reconnecting with his musical theater origins through a deeply personal new project. The Utah-born actor, singer, and Grammy nominee has unveiled his first-ever solo album, If the Stars Were Mine, released on Center Stage Records. This 13-track collection serves as a celebration of Elder's extensive theatrical career, featuring standout reinterpretations of classic showstoppers from productions like West Side Story and Sunday in the Park with George.
A Personal Journey Through Song
Every song on the album carries an emotional memory, creating an intimate auditory experience that feels like stepping inside Elder's mind. In an interview with HuffPost, Elder described the album as a reflection on belief, parenthood, and legacy, noting that the emotions conveyed in these songs transcend gender boundaries. The album's most poignant moments draw directly from Elder's life experiences, including his navigation of queer sexuality after being raised in the Mormon faith, his journey into love, and his recent role as a first-time father.
The title track, originally recorded by jazz artist Melody Gardot in 2009, stands as a heartfelt tribute to Elder's 8-year-old son, Claybourne Bo Philip Rosen-Elder, whom he shares with his husband, playwright Eric Rosen. Other highlights include a wistful acoustic reimagining of Whitney Houston's I Wanna Dance with Somebody and a tender duet with musician Rodney Bush on Lonesome Goodbye by The SteelDrivers, which recalls Elder's period of isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
From Stage to Studio and Back
The release of If the Stars Were Mine coincides with Elder's return to the New York stage following his performance in the Tony-winning 2021 revival of Company. Last month, he appeared in the New York City Center Encores! production of The Wild Party. To promote the album, Elder will perform three concerts at the renowned Manhattan nightspot 54 Below.
Elder's theatrical credentials are impressive, with a Broadway debut in 2011's Bonnie & Clyde and notable roles in Company and as John Adams on The Gilded Age. However, this album represents a deliberate turn inward. Elder expressed a desire to create work that inspires others, particularly young people from similar backgrounds, to pursue their dreams without sacrificing their identity.
The Inspiration Behind the Music
The album originated as a touring concert, inspired in part by a transformative encounter in 2007. While attending Broadway's The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as a young aspiring actor, Elder was approached by a stranger who, impressed by his engagement, gifted him $200 for a ticket to Sweeney Todd. This act of kindness left a lasting impression on Elder, who later reconnected with the man, Mark Howell of Los Angeles, in 2022 after sharing a social media post about their meeting.
This reunion, which Elder has discussed on CBS News and This American Life, inspired the creation of his nonprofit, City of Strangers, which provides theater tickets to those who cannot afford them. As someone who had come through a lot of religious trauma, and having that kindness shown to me by a person in New York City, that experience ... made me feel like there was something larger out there for the first time in a long time, Elder reflected.
Now 43, Elder views If the Stars Were Mine as a culmination of his artistic and personal growth. Everybody involved was like, 'This needs to be you.' And that helped me to make something I'm proud of and scared to show people in a way that feels healthy, he said. The album, he hopes, will resonate with those who see the heart of it, offering a message of authenticity and resilience.
