By Paul Pratt | OBSERVER CORRESPONDENT

American Idol finalist La Toya London has been bitten by the acting bug. After tasting success on the theater stage, the Oakland native says she’s eyeing the bright lights of Broadway.

Confides London, “It's something I definitely want to experience.”

Best known for coming in second runner-up on season three of Fox's top-rated talent show, London released her solo debut "Love & Life" last fall on Peak Records. After releasing “Appreciate” and “State of My Heart” to limited radio response she decided to try her hand at acting.

“It costs money to promote an album properly,” she says, “It’s really expensive.”

London recently spent several months touring with “Issues — We All Got 'Em.” Written by Laterras R. Whitfield, the “dramedy” chronicles the lives of seven individuals trying to untangle their lives through the help of God.

“It wasn't driven by constant comedy, silliness or singing, as many gospel plays are,” London describes. “So many productions think that's what audiences want to see. People really just want a strong message, and that's what this production has.”

“Every character had a life issue,” she explains. “Whether it was not knowing who your baby-daddy is, being a gold digger or being in a marriage and dealing with infidelity, characters were experiencing them all.”

In her first theatrical acting gig, London played recently-single investment banker Chastity. To embody her character’s emotions moving past an abusive relationship, the performer turned to the cast’s more experienced members for pointers.

“I took a lot from the veterans in the production,” admits London. “I learned so much watching and getting to work with Kim Fields and David Hollister.”

The singer says it was a pleasure being part of such a star-studded line-up. In addition to Living Single alumna Fields and former member of Blackstreet Hollister were superstar Angie Stone, Soul Food actor Darrin Dewitt Henson and many more.

“Everyone was really cool,” she shares.

According to London, the biggest downside of being on the road for so many months was missing the first several weeks of American Idol's fifth season. Though she watched the auditions she missed the early Top 12 eliminations.

“I had an idea of who everyone was,” she says. "“We had a show every night at p.m., There was no way I could watch TV. Since we were on the road, I couldn't even TiVo it to watch later”

With the show wrapped, though, she’s catching up for lost time. Back in Los Angeles, where she now resides, London stopped by Fox studios for the April 18 television taping.

“Now I'm definitely caught up.” she says, “They have some really, really good talent this year.”

London really enjoys Elliot Yamin. Paris Bennett, the 17-year old granddaughter of Gospel great Ann Nesby, “is going to be fine regardless.” But she puts her money to win it all on Katherine McPhee or Chris Daughtry, who was eliminated Wednesday night.

“Katherine is going to get better and better as she gets older,” she says of the chanteuse. “I can hear the vocal training she has. An album by her would do very well, if properly advertised.”

Meanwhile, London has a hard time believing rocker Daughtry is deaf in one ear.

“The boy can hear better than most people with both ears.” she says, “He has an amazing voice.”

While she's torn about her favorite finalist, London has no such hesitation picking the top judge. According to London, as much as she loves judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, she says contestants truly need to listen to Simon Cowell's sometimes harsh critiques.

“What he says is the most real,” she confesses. “Randy's always talking about pitch problems. Paula only likes to give criticism if someone's performance is obviously bad. Simon says what people need to hear so they can get better.”

Looking toward the Big Apple, London says, “I want to go wherever success takes me. As long as I am able to eat, have a roof over my head, and can experience different things creatively, I'll be happy. I don't want to limit myself.”

London says she hopes her stage aspirations are met with a slightly more enthusiastic response than Simon gives many competitors. With a show in already in mind that London says she can't "say too much, since nothing is confirmed,” the rising star realizes it's a tremendous step forward in her career.

“That would be the start of something really good for me,” she says.

In addition to stage acting, she hopes to branch out into sitcoms and movies. Says London, “I really enjoy acting.”