Claybourne Elder Is Stepping Into His Own Spotlight with Debut Solo Album
We’ve loved watching Claybourne Elder disappear into iconic roles over the years, from Broadway stages to HBO’s The Gilded Age. But this spring, he’s not stepping into someone else’s story. He’s telling his own.
The Grammy-nominated, queer Broadway and television star is set to release his debut solo album, If The Stars Were Mine, on April 3, and if there’s one thing we already know, it’s that this won’t just be a collection of songs—it’ll be a deeply personal statement. Produced by Elder alongside Andrew House, with co-production by Bryan Perri, the album promises inventive arrangements and a track list that moves boldly from Whitney Houston to Stephen Sondheim to the Great American Songbook. Yes, that range. And somehow, it all makes sense through Elder’s unmistakable voice—warm, emotionally transparent, and layered with humor.
For us, what makes this project especially exciting is how unapologetically queer and personal it feels. Elder describes the album as something far more intimate than a playlist. “To me, the songs feel like journal entries,” he shares. “I’ve always lived somewhere between a song and a punchline, and this album holds those contradictions without apology: faith and queerness, humor and longing, Broadway and Whitney Houston. It’s not a playlist—it’s a map of my heart. If someone listens and recognizes a piece of themselves, or feels a little less alone for three minutes at a time—that would be enough for me.”
That tension, between faith and queerness, sincerity and wit, is something so many of us in the LGBTQ+ community understand deeply. And hearing an artist like Elder lean into those dualities, rather than smoothing them over, feels powerful. After years of embodying other characters in productions like Company, Sunday in the Park with George, Torch Song, and Bonnie and Clyde, he’s now reclaiming those songs and his voice as fully his own. As he puts it, “I’ve gotten to hide inside some great characters in my career… Now I’m taking those words and making them my own.”
The album’s title track carries an especially tender origin story. “‘If the Stars Were Mine’ started as a song I sing to my son at bedtime—something I’ve done almost every night of his life,” Elder explains. That quiet ritual reshaped his understanding of performance. “Sitting in the quiet dark with him and singing reminded me of how lovely and intimate a song can be.” It’s that intimacy he wanted to bottle for this record—music that feels personal, close, and undeniably him.
Beyond his celebrated career, Elder’s impact stretches offstage as well. As the founder of City of Strangers, he’s helped provide over 3,500 free Broadway tickets to people who might not otherwise have access, reinforcing his commitment to making art more inclusive and accessible.
To celebrate the album’s release, Elder will bring If The Stars Were Mine to life with a series of concerts at New York’s iconic 54 Below on April 3, 4, and 15 (get your tickets here). If his past cabaret performances are any indication—effortless, emotionally resonant, and laugh-out-loud funny—we’re in for something special.
This April, Claybourne Elder isn’t just releasing an album. He’s offering us a map of his heart. And honestly? We can’t wait to follow the stars. You can pre-save the album here.
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Featured Image: Image Courtesy of Claybourne Elder. Photo by Sam Pickart.
