QUICK TAKES - May 23, 2009

When it comes to Adam Lambert, the theater’s loss will be music’s gain.

The “American Idol” runner-up says that he intends to focus on becoming a recording artist. Lambert, who appeared in a touring company of “Wicked” and other stage productions, says he’s not turning his back on the stage but instead going in another direction: the music world.

The 27-year-old Lambert, a San Diego native, placed second this week to 23-year-old Kris Allen of Conway, Ark.

Among those it can be assumed did not vote for Lambert was Clay Aiken, the “American Idol” runner-up from 2003. On his website, Aiken derided Lambert’s rendition of “Ring of Fire” as “contrived,” “awful” and “slightly frightening.”