Ex-'American Idol' star to make stage debut

[February 09, 2011]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Former "American Idol" star Sanjaya Malakar (san-JY'-uh MA'-luh-kar) is making his stage debut this month -- but, no, it won't be in "Hair."

The singer, who was a finalist on Season 6 of the Fox singing competition and became known as much for his hairstyles as his voice, will be stepping into the off-Broadway musical "Freckleface Strawberry."

The show is based on the popular children's book by Julianne Moore and is being staged at New World Stages on 50th Street.

Malakar joins the show on Feb. 23.

The 21-year-old is currently writing and recording his own original music for a full length album "Life-Love-Music."

[Associated Press]

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