Goyband/Rent tour questions

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 8:33pm

Hey there. Haven't logged on in a while so please forgive me if these questions have been answered before.

So, lately I've been on such a "Rent" kick! Been watching my DVD a lot and I really enjoy the commentary with Chris Columbus, Adam and Anthony. It's inspiring; their techie talk makes me want to pursue more Extra work and maybe send my stuff to the address on SiteForRent to possibly audition for an upcoming "Rent" tour. I've worked in radio most of my life but have a musical theatre background and can sing melody or harmony on most of the songs. I'd be good as a Mimi/Maureen understudy or as Ensemble/Mrs. Cohen/Alexi type. My question is--I'm in my early 30's but always get mistaken for a 24 year old, so has anyone ever heard of "Rent" cast members being in their 30's? Obviously the age of the characters is young, but if you're passable as looking like them, I'm sure it's not a big deal. But then again, if you're a bit older than most of the cast, do you know anyone who's considered the age gap a problem in terms of accepting each other and bonding in general as a cast? Just curious.

Also--very excited that Adam Pascal has a new Jewish comedy coming out. I recently found the "Goyband" website and it had an email link to be an Extra. But, haven't they already started shooting? Based on some other posts, it seems they have. I'm in Chicago and I think they're shooting in NY, but I've done some Extra work in the past and sent an email anyway, just in case. What's the deal? If they've started shooting, why do they still have the "be an Extra" item on their site, and how long is shooting expected to go (and where)?

Thanks much for the info! :)

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 8:38pm

You wanna be an understudy on the tour? I don't get it you wouldn't be good at the part but you would be a good understudy?

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 8:47pm

Ah, no, I meant Ensemble basically. I can handle any female part but since this is in theory only at this point and age may be an issue, I'm not shooting high for the purpose of a question on a message board. I just think it would be cool to do a tour once; there clearly are other characters and responsibilities aside from the main characters in the show.

Updated On: 12/30/06 at 08:47 PM

Posted: 12/30/06 at 10:46pm

Goyband is completely done shooting.

There was a scene that required a large amount of extras in order to fill a theater that was filmed a couple weeks ago. Lots of Pascal fans participated in that. I wasn't able to make it to that shooting, but was an extra in a different scene (shot over a month ago), and it was a pleasant experience on every level. Most of the film was shot in the Catskills, but a few shots were done in NYC as well. Sorry you found out about the project a bit too late!
Updated On: 12/30/06 at 10:46 PM

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 12/30/06 at 11:10pm

Haha, too late. Oh well! Maybe the casting company to which the email address linked will take note of my website info and call upon me another time.

Still no comments as to the real-life ages or age issues of "Rent" cast members over the years? That would be helpful. Just curious. Thanks!

Posted: 12/30/06 at 11:27pm

To be honest, I'm not sure if Goyband even had a casting company, at least as far as casting extras goes. The person who spoke with me about extra work was involved with the film's production company, Red Sky Pictures.

Frankly, I'm not too knowledgeable about specific ages of former cast members, but I'm sure you could easily do a bit of in-depth research on the topic via IBDB and Google. I do know that there are a few current cast members in their 30s, although I believe these people have had work with productions of Rent in the past and/or other major theatre work (not sure if you have had the latter). I don't know if anyone who knows an honest answer to your question regarding cast bonding would post it on a public board, but good luck finding your answer!

[Chloe]

Posted: 12/31/06 at 12:37am

Some of the original ensemble members were in their thirties when Rent opened, I believe. I don't see why you shouldn't give it a shot, espeically since the tour is non-equity.

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 3:00am

Really? Thanks, maybe I will.

How much do principal and ensemble players make for non-eq tours?

[winston89]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 4:09am

I was in a theatre program over the summer. One of the counclers sp? came in late cus he was at an audition for the Rent tour for Mark. He said that if he made it then he would have gotten 100 bucks a preformance so that would be 800 bucks a week.

[Ariella]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 11:01am

You're right - I believe Jed Resnick, a former Mark of the tour company said the same.

[lovepuppy]

Posted: 1/2/07 at 3:10pm

$800 a week, not too bad. Are room and board paid-for on those tours? What if they get sick and the understudy goes on, do they still get paid? Interesting stuff...