Adam Pascal's LA shows -- please post reviews! — Page 2

Well, it was a scorcher out there at the Grove in the shelterless sun but a nice crowd anyway. Adam was a relaxed and funny Emcee, sharing the duties at times with Wilson Cruz. They said this was the first time EVER that the casts of Rent and Tick Tick Boom had performed together at a concert - so history was made! Incidentally Jonathan Larson's parents and sister were there as was Wilson Jermaine Heredia who had a mob of autograph seekers around him after the show. He didn't perform.

It was a short show, basically a promotion for the two currently running productions. Rent went first. Bryce Ryness led off with a powerful One Song Glory, then was joined by Matthew Hydzik for What You Own - Hydzik could not match Ryness's voice or charisma. They finished with the girls, Tracy McDowell (Maureen) and Chante Frierson (Joanne) in a wild and wonderful Take me or Leave Me that was as hot as the weather.

Then came Tick Tick Boom and Andrew Samonsky led off with 30/90, joined by Cruz and Tami Tappan Damiano. She then stopped the show with her fabulous take on Come To Your Senses. Wow! What a voice this lady has. The three of them finished with Louder Than Words after which everyone dispersed in search of air conditioning. Good show.

---

Why would Adam Pascal be there to support a Non-Equity tour of "Rent"? Isn't he a member of Equity? Just wondering.

---

I think jimny was just asking a question, Em, lol.

Equity has or had people out picketing this production at one point so I don't think the union is happy that it exists at all. Anyway, my comment should also be directed toward the other Equity members that were there, not just Adam.

---

Yeah, Popular. I guess... considering that he's only been out there for a couple of months, and that there were surely a LOT of Rent fans in one place with this thing, it was a good way for him to make his entrance into the West Coast scene.

Why would the union take such issue, if there's not an Equity tour on now? That's odd.

---

The Rent tour has been non-Equity for almost 4 years. I can't imagine anyone (sane) is still protesting.

---

I have no knowledge of any of the Equity stuff, but I'm sure Adam was there to support Jonathan's work, regardless of whether or not it was Equity or Non-Equity. I'm sure Adam (or any of the OBC, for that matter) would do anything for the Larsons.

---

What? Why? If there were an Equity and non-Equity production of the same show, I could see it being an issue of supporting your competitors, but... what would be wrong with Equity actors supporting another professional production of a show that they have close ties to?

I'm not being snarky, I'm genuinely curious why so grounded in that they should not support other productions and people that, considering work requirements in order to become Equity, are the future of their craft.

I'm sure this was cleared by the union as well, because otherwise those involved would get in trouble retroactively, and I think it's great that they came together across the boundaries or whatever to support Larson's work. If that's the rule, then whatever, that's the rule, but sometimes they're to be bent, and I would hate to see what looks an awful lot like elitism stop something special like this from happening. I'm glad an exception was made, if needed.

---

Updated On: 7/22/06 at 07:31 PM

They see non-Equity productions as taking away jobs from Equity members, you mean? Are non-Equity productions mixed to include both, or are Equity actors not allowed to be in them? If Equity actors *could* be in them, I can see where that comes from, but if not, then... they're pretty separate, IMO.

I don't know. I can also see the production aspect, doing it to save money and all that, but I still think that it's okay to bend the rules or customs once in a while, and that the Equity actors who were part of this today did the right thing in letting those things go for the bigger purpose of putting support behind the art they're creating.

---

Equity members are not allowed to perform in these tours since the producers don't have a contract with the union.

There's a long history of battles between producers and the union over these tours. It's only been over the last few years that these tours have started showing up in the same theatres that normally have union tours. They used to keep to the smaller markets where they would do a one or two night show and then move on to another small city. However, over the past three years or so, we've seen them in San Francisco for multi-week engagements ("Grease", "Rent", "Cats", "Oklahoma!"). They started out with cheaper tickets but lately the prices have been creeping up. In the case of "Oklahoma!", which I did see, the orchestra was very small and that took away from the experience of seeing what many in the audience thought was a broadway calibre production, but that's another discussion.

---

Bump. Now that today's event has come and gone, more reminders for people to go to and report on the concerts on the 28th and 29th.

Adam puts on one hell of a show, I encourage all who are able to attend.

---

Just out of curiosity, to those who were there, did he say anything about his upcoming concerts? I imagine that he would, but I haven't read anything about him mentioning them.

And somehow, despite his hosting of an event involved with a non-equity tour, I think we'll all live.

Updated On: 7/23/06 at 01:37 PM

He did promote his concert while he was there. And Wilson Cruz did too. Adam actually bolted after he announced the last song.
The whole thing was about supporting Jonathan Larson and having both of his productions there together and promoting them. It was really fun and nice and not really super crowded. Both casts and Adam and Wilson Heredia were sweet and signed for everyone and took pictures. Although Adam would not pose for pictures.

---