He won fame on TV but found a home on Broadway

NEW YORK (AP) — Fourteen years ago, with 23 million people watching, Justin Guarini came achingly close to superstardom.

Guarini, with his mop of curls and a taste for flamboyant, '70s-style shirts, had given up his dream of starring on Broadway to try to become the first "American Idol" in 2002.

Guarini eventually made his way back to Broadway, auditioning for virtually every show and introducing himself to as many casting people as possible, slowly building a career.

After performing everything from Stephen Sondheim to ABBA, Guarini takes his bravest step yet this month in the a cappella Broadway musical "In Transit ," which asks its performers to simultaneously act, sing, dance and be the orchestra.

Kathleen Marshall, the Tony-winning director and choreographer of "In Transit," said Guarini has been a happy addition to the rehearsal room because his energy and creativity immediately shine.

Blessed with vocal skills, he was in the Atlanta Boy Choir at age 4.

After "Idol," his first album underperformed and he was dropped by his record label.

Guarini made his Broadway debut in the Latin-infused musical "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," then did rock in "American Idiot," Shakespeare in "Romeo and Juliet," and even found himself in "Wicked."

Guarini, who has a new EP of dance-ready tunes, is just enjoying the ride this second time.