Anyone else dissapointed with Rapp's performance?- Page 2

[misschung]

Posted: 8/26/07 at 9:56pm

I completely agree, Boq. That's one of my favorite parts of the whole show.

Anyway, Mealz, you raise an interesting connection between the narration of his memoir and his acting in the show.

I feel like it's almost inevitable that Adam and Anthony would stand out to the audience. I'm surprised, though, that people feel a sense of disconnect between them and the other cast members.

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 8/26/07 at 10:09pm

I think he has wonderful presence, but to be honest, and apparantly I am in the minority, I've never been very impressed with Rapp. Acting wise, sure. Singing wise, not so much. His Mark is the best you can get, but I never did understand the Anthony Rapp mania. You know how there's just something about a performer sometimes you just don't connect with?


By the by, I just read the link Lizzie posted....eemmmm. A lot of phrases come to mind. Mainly one that rhymes with "Svat da puck".

Updated On: 8/26/07 at 10:09 PM

[misschung]

Posted: 8/26/07 at 10:17pm

I know exactly what you mean, Anna. I've got my fair share of actors/performers that I don't connect with either.

As for Anthony's acting and signing - to me, he is one of those musical performers who I watch and almost forget that he's singing. It seems he integrates his spoken dialog and his singing so well that there isn't an awkward transition into and out of songs. That's not to say that I'm not impressed with his voice, because I think he's got a terrific one, but it seems like he uses it more as a tool on stage than anything else. I guess it's really the same as the "actor who sings" versus the "singing actor" argument, too though.

Updated On: 8/26/07 at 10:17 PM

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 8/26/07 at 10:22pm

Yes misschung, exactly. I don't even mind so much, usually, if a REALLY great actor doesn't sing as well as I would personally hope, as long as they can REALLY communicate through the song. But I never do get the communication from Anthony when he sings. Only when he talks. Which, kind of is the same thing for him. But...I don't know, that's just it. Something about a performer I simply cannot appreciate.

[SpellRENT777]

Posted: 8/26/07 at 10:26pm

Sorry, i was far from dissapointed when I saw him on friday. He was a great Mark, no, he was THE mark. I enjoyed him throughout but when the scene were he and adam fought in act 2, i believed every second of his performance. I dunno, a part of me can relate to the character. But, he was just incredible.

[Chloe]

Posted: 8/26/07 at 10:28pm

Yes, I would put Anthony in the category of an actor who sings. I've never felt the slightest bit of mania for him, but still think he's wonderful as Mark. Regarding the previous remarks about Hanke, it doesn't seem appropriate for Mark to be having that good a time in Act 1. There needs to be some validity to Roger's later criticism of him as detached and numb.

[misschung]

Posted: 8/26/07 at 10:29pm

But I never do get the communication from Anthony when he sings. Only when he talks. Which, kind of is the same thing for him.

For me, the communication is equal in his singing and acting. But I also really like Anthony as a performer, especially in Rent.
I know what you mean though

[rosscoe(au)]

Posted: 8/26/07 at 10:43pm

Lizzie that was great to see that again.

Updated On: 8/26/07 at 10:43 PM

[misschung]

Posted: 8/26/07 at 11:11pm

There needs to be some validity to Roger's later criticism of him as detached and numb.

Good point, Chloe

[MarkRascati]

Posted: 8/26/07 at 11:43pm

My 2 cents:

I think he's decent. Updated On: 8/26/07 at 11:43 PM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 12:09am

I think people are just purposfully bashing because they know Anthony might be reading. It's pretty much the same thing I do with Marc.

Posted: 8/27/07 at 12:11am

I'm with the majority in this thread. Rapp's Mark is a pretty great. He could take this iconic gay character and make it over-the-top and annoying... but he doesn't.

Rapp just makes Mark a guy with a lot going on, who just happens to also be gay.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 12:11am

So, one or two people not being over the moon (excuse the pun) with Rapp's performance? And it's bashing? Please.

[misschung]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 12:16am

He's an iconic gay character?

[JudasIscariot]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 12:19am

Iconic gay character? Excuse me? I saw RENT, and I don't remember any mention of Mark being gay. Just because you want to believe it's true, doesn't mean that it is. While Anthony may be, Mark isn't.

Anyway, I loved his performance. Electrifying. I can honestly say it was one of the best performances, if not the best, that I have ever seen from an actor.

The clapping in Seasons, I don't think it is out of control or over the top. I think he is just simply feeling the emotion of the song, and becoming immersed in it. He looks over the top because I don't feel that the other actors really feel it the same way he does.

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 12:24am

I am hardly bashing. There is no reason to turn my opinion around. I wasn't around for the whole whiteboy spice thing, and I don't know if he's still around or not. It doesn't matter to me if he is. It is possible for one or two people not to like him. He's an actor. I'm sure he gets that that is part of the deal.


I'm gonna go ahead and add the "Psst..Mark is not. Gay."

[misschung]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 12:43am

"Psst..Mark is not. Gay."

I know, lol. I was like "wait...what?" In fanfiction, maybe...

[AnnaK<3LMIP]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 1:16am

My favorite fan-fiction was when they had Maureen realize she's more straight than gay, and she and Mark reunite and marry. Mimi and Roger marry, and their child marries Mark and Maureen's child. Joanne disappears as her law firm conquers all and she wins some huge celebrity case, and deems herself too important to hang out with the rest of them. Benny is gay.

[Craww]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 1:54am

There's a certain cabal of Hanke enthusiasts who are especially disappointed with Anthony Rapp's performance in Rent. Every time I read their lists of things Hanke did better I think "...that's one of the things I didn't like about his performance" and just come to the conclusion that it's mostly a matter of taste.

I thought Anthony Rapp was really wonderful. Both in my most subjective spirit and in my modest attempts at objectivity.

lol at drudging up the fandom wank link. ftw.

[misschung]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 2:07am

Anna, that last post made me laugh out loud. It sounds like the Brady Bunch version of Rent

[sleepyguy1717]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 2:22am

My only real complaint with Anthony is his breath control. Its my BIGGEST singing pet peeve when I hear singers gasping for air in the middle of a song. Which I've noticed with Anthony. My voice teacher always tells me, "If I can hear you breath, you're breathing to loud."

Other than that, two thumbs up for Anthony!

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 8:55am

"I think people are just purposfully bashing because they know Anthony might be reading. It's pretty much the same thing I do with Marc."

What? that's just dumb, i would never do that. I was actually kind of hoping he wouldn't see it because I really do like the guy. I don't think it's bashing him to say he wasn't bad but that I just didn't connect with his character... It's an opinion and a critique that's what this board is for...

[Mealz1042]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 8:59am

this is completely off topic, but craww, i'm obsessed with your avator

[zorabet]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 4:57pm

I, of course, thought Anthony was wonderful, but I admit to being a bit underwhelmed. And it wasn't really his performance in itself. It was that I went in there expecting him to blow me away and Adam to be silly and drop all his lines and be completely out of character.

And I went in there and Adam knocked my ****ing socks off. He blew me away with every little thing he did. And Anthony...he was good, but it wasn't new. While Adam improved drastically, Anthony put on the same show he put on 11 years ago in New York, then in Chicago, then in London. And again in the movie. He knows what works for the character, and it does, but it wouldn't kill him to change it up a bit. He very obviously did things directly from the movie that fans could connect, and was shameless about it.

As for looking bored, no way. I was front row one night, and even when he was sitting in a chair in the corber frowning (as all Marks do), you could see this hint of 'oh my God, I love this, I never want to stop doing this show'. There were multiple times I saw him visibly have to supress a smile. He loves what he's doing right now, and it comes through in his performance.

Personal preference aside, this man knows the character inside out and it's kind of undeniable.

[avab802]

Posted: 8/27/07 at 5:34pm

I actually feel the opposite, Mealz. Out of all the Mark's I've seen, Anthony was the only one who did not play for laughs. While I missed some of the funny bits that other Marks do, Anthony's performance seemed more genuine to me.