The Rent Welcome Wagon- Page 5

[stacey717]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:04pm

Hello all!

I'm kinda in a rush and new to this discussion (and the last segment of the 'welcome, anthony' thread..shows how much you miss when you don't check a thread in a few hours). First I'll say hi and a belated welcome :)

Anways, I'll be quick..even though I know this'll end up being long and I apologize now for that (I have ice hockey tomorrow morning and must wake at 4.30...no time to edit down rabid thoughts!)...
I'm currently a junior in hs and aspire soemday to directing for theatre (obviously B'way) and film (hopefully more than small independents at some point). My secret dream is definitely to get the chance to act (musicals make me giddy), but seeing as I'm 16 and haven't persued it yet (fear of what the parents would say and my shy tendecies that they know very well)...yeah..but in college no one will stop me:) (Or from here on out in hs heh..just need the courage to ask my parents to help me find some sorta theatre group outside of school here..P'ton isn't really the place for people who want to be in theatre and especially film).
I lovelovelove watching especially musical theatre...just something about it...
I'm thinking right now that I'll want to be at Columbia or NYU for college (visited Columbia on Saturday and hope to go on a tour at NYU at some point, but alas they only offer tours during non-holiday weekdays).

Anywaysanyways, I had to post because of this:

"don't forget - the story of RENT is a film that we are seeing after the fact.
Mark already shot it and cut it and what we are seeing is the finished product"

That hit me like a ton of bricks 'cause for some reason I didn't look at it this way even though it obviously is true-it makes me love it even more now that I realize the truth-thanks for making me see!

I would ask some questions but I really need sleep (I was supposed to be sleeping at 9...don't tell my parents hehe)
Updated On: 11/21/04 at 11:04 PM

[TGIF]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:06pm

Emcee, I didn't mean your job was spelling, just welcoming! And I couldn't even do that right, because I made spelling errors.

And I love the aspect of how the show is the show is essentially the film Mark made. I used to think it was just literal, but I eventually put it togehter. It explains why except for Halloween he has no solo songs. He does have bit parts in other songs (i.e. Rent, La Vie Boheme, What You Own).

I love when shows have so many layers. I think it essential to a good show. They need to make you think. Sure they can be light hearted and "happy" but they should evoke thought.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:08pm

Complete sidenote: stacey - YAY COLUMBIA!!

[insomniak]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:08pm

Any show that's entirely happy of entirely sad won't leave a strong impression on the audience because it's not much like real life. I think Rent did a good job of avoiding either extreme in excess.

TGIF, I agree on Mark.

I have to go now, see you all later.

[BEKA531]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:10pm

rent has evoked more thought for me than i ever realized until now while i'm reading this. i'm always thinking about rent, and everytime i listen to the CR i hear something else and notice something else about a character, scene, etc. that's why i love rent. it's not all on the surface; it's so deep and thought-provoking. there's always another opinion on why something happened, like contact, for example.

[stacey717]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:13pm

Okay two quick thingies before I won't be able to atop any pucks tomorrow

1. I am so in love with how the musical is a film on stage. OMG I can't believe I didn't put two and two together to make four, but now it ahs clicked and I'm beaming.

2. emcee-- Columbia was the first school--and first Ivy-- that the tour guide was able to tell me all the right things about the film program to make me want to go (he was double majoring in economics and film, so knew about it but all there was to know was what I wanted to hear, too)


Before I say anything else I best be off...
Not tired, but that's not for me to decided now (I'll definitely be tired in five and a half hours...)

Oh well, goodnight:)

[JoAnne1]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:14pm

will my movies be produced?

from your mouth to God's ears bubbalah....

who knows?

I'll role the dice on it just like I did when I came to NYC wanting to be a "B'way Star" - ya know?

and I love Pippin - I might drop into NYU to catch it - can you tell me when and where?

fwb

[TGIF]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:17pm

Pippin is such a great show. My old HS just did it last spring. Such good songs with a talented ensemble. With a good director with a good vision it has so much potential. Who else votes for a Revival? *raises hand*

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:18pm

Absolutely - that gives me an excuse to invite everyone else :) It's December 18th and 19th at 8 and 3 PM, respectively, at the Eisner/Lubin Auditorium...that's at the new Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South. Admission is free. I hope you can make it! If anyone would like to come, let me know and I'll come find you afterwards!

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:19pm

heh; good luck with CU, stacey. NOT an easy feat.

[BEKA531]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:19pm

my high school did pippin last spring too... i think every high school has at some time. which just shows what a great show it is...

[JoAnne1]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:21pm

to stacey717:

I chose this life at 14 (or it chose me)and didn't care what anybody said - it was for me....

My family FLIPPED when I said I was turning down (many) other schools and other majors for NYU and acting

only my Mom stood in my corner...(my father died when I was young - and my aunts and uncles were to help me get through college)

but when they realized I wasn't going for a "real profession" they backed out....

well - they've long since changed their tunes - long before RENT they realized this was my calling and I wasn't giving up...

after RENT of course - all was vindicated....

the moral of the story -

THAT WHICH IS MEANT FOR YOU IS YOURS!!!

fwb

[TGIF]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:22pm

BEKA, what take did your show use on it? I know every production I have seen has a different plot and ending!

[BEKA531]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:25pm

i actually have no idea... i was sick the weekend of the performances, so i never got to see it. i can ask one of my friends that was in it though, if you're really interested.

[MeliMel]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:26pm

Hi Fredi

Glad to have you here.

My questions: Which memebers of the OBC have you kept in contact with the most? and what was the most important or meaningfull piece of advice Jonathan gave you, what struck you the most? Also what do you remember about him (as a person)the most?

My story: I want to pursue a career in acting, not so much film but stage. I am 19 and moving to New York alone on Jan. 11th (yay!, I will also be auditioning for NYU, Syracuse, Julliard, Fordham and maybe Barnard College (although staying in NYC whether or not I get in). I spent my april in London auditioning for drama schools and sort of got called back for one, Guildhall School of Music and Drama, they told me they would like to have me next year, because they felt I was too young and need to spend a year out of school for myself. I've been devoted to acting for like 7 years now in and out of school and it's all I want to do. Any advice or tips for surviving NYC?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:27pm

This is excellent. YAY BARNARD!
Okay, I promise I'll stop plugging my school.

[TGIF]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:27pm

Sure! Don't go out of your way though. The trouble with shows like Pippin is that people in the HS audience and even in the Broadway audience don't want to think much about what they are seeing at the time. *sigh* Most parents just left the theatre saying "the songs were good." When asked what it was about they had no clue.

Emcee: you are a shameless shill - and I love ya for it!

Updated On: 11/21/04 at 11:27 PM

[paulie23]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:27pm

Fredi:
Hi. First of all, you oozed maturity in the role of Joanne (compliment: something many of your successors have not mastered). You gave RENT a sense of professionalism and reality. One night I was at the show (I think it was your last) and your knee looked like it gave out and you fell on the table. I felt so bad for you and yet you kept on plugging away. Anyone else might have not been able to continue.

My wife is auditioning for the RENT tour Tuesday. She loves theatre and actually rubbed off on (I used to hate it as a kid, but now I dig it..Sweeney Todd is my favorite). I am a glassblower which is performance art in a way.

Do you have any new plays in the works? And do you think dinner theatre is a dying art? My wife wants to open one in 5 years or so.

[Amneris]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:31pm

Miss Diva Thang Fredi Walker -

You will always be #1 Hot Sh*t to us!!!

I adore you.

I spent my entire pre-teen/early adult years growing up with RENT. It opened me up to a whole new era to broadway and off bway. Not just seeing that particular show over again (which i did) but, it opened my experiences up and gave me a whole new outlook on things.

It made me obsessed with the first thing I'd ever been obsessed with. Broadway. It was a wonderful change and a huge HIGH. I never was the teen to drink or have sex parties..instead , I'd spend my extra babysitting money @ RENT or another show just to meet new people and be taken over for 2h and 30m.

Thank You For That
Amneris

PS
I worked @ love,janis when your friend Bob was managing. Updated On: 11/21/04 at 11:31 PM

[BWIDB Charlie]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:33pm

Fredi, I have a few questions that I have been asking a few people to share their opinions on. I'd love to hear yours.

What would you say are the predominant traits you look for in a potential director?

If you had the opportunity to produce any pre-existing play/musical, or a new work by an author, what work would you look into?

Since I am a big believer in (good) musical theatre, I’d like to know what you think of the form.

Do you have any particular pieces you enjoy thoroughly?

If you could have played any part in any show, what is the role/show and why?

Coke or Pepsi?

Okay, I may be done with the questions for the night! Thanks so much, Fredi.

Charlie
[e-mail]
Updated On: 11/21/04 at 11:33 PM

[BEKA531]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:37pm

Coke or Pepsi?

haha. i have one to add to that. chocolate or vanilla?

[JoAnne1]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:40pm

wow..

great questions.

1-
Which memebers of the OBC have you kept in contact with the most?

JLM
DRV
GS
BU
& KLK
the most....but everybody one way or another....

2-
Also what do you remember about him (Jonathan)(as a person)the most?

I hardly knew him. I was an actor doing my job. He was the playwright and it really wasn't my "place" or my "style" to do too much sucking up.
And then... he was gone
But he knew me - somehow - I'm still not sure how.
TMOLM was the last song he wrote - and he wrote it right out of who Di and I are... when you hear those lyrics - they ring true because the ARE true - at least for me.

I'll never forget him - and I started getting to know him after that--- but it was too late.


3- Any advice or tips for surviving NYC?
enough to fill several pages.... I'll have to get back to you with a detailed answer.

4-
do you think dinner theatre is a dying art?

ALL theatre is threatened if we don't get smarter...
Dinner theatre (revamped) could do well - your hook should be your food - that's what will bring 'em in day in and day out...
don't overproduce - especially at first - get 'em hooked on the food and let the theatre be a bonus ... eventually you can work your way up to bigger productions.

fwb

[BEKA531]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:43pm

eh my questions seem so horrible compared to those. i'll think of some good ones eventually, but my brain is shot... i just wrote a 10 page ap european history paper... at least it's done.

[FabalaCohen]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:46pm

I feel ya Beka! Ugh...two all-nighters in a row...my brain's officially dead.

Okay, erm...can't think of a question..I'll get back to this tomorrow, or something

[BEKA531]

Posted: 11/21/04 at 11:53pm

ok, guys... i'm going to bed. see you tomorrow on this thread and the rent screenplay thread (and anthony's if he's back). nice talking to you.

g'night.

~ rebecca