Brandon Victor Dixon, Vanessa Hudgens, Keala Settle, Jordan Fisher Set for Fox's Rent Live! — Page 2

I will never forgive them for not casting Andrew Rannells as Mark, and I don't know that Vanessa Hudgens has the singing chops to do "Over the Moon" in the original key. But I have hope for this production, namely because Brennin Hunt seems like the perfect Roger. Also, Keala Settle as the S.O.L. soloist is incredible.

Also also, Michael Grief doesn't screw things up. Ever.

This casting is lame. Valentina as Angel give me a break. You need grit to perform that role. I hope Valentina doesn't whisper the entire show.

darquegk said: "I always got the sense that Collins (a character supposedly inspired by Tom Waits) was older than the others, the ex-professor of the group instead of a dropout."

Inspired by Tom Waits??? I have never heard this.

Mark to me always seemed partially defined by his privilege - parents who love him/good family, white, straight, sober, and HIV negative. A huge part of his character is the question of "why are you here, Mark? This is not your fight. This has nothing to do with you." and where there is room for 'supporting a friend' vs 'making it about you'.

That's an odd way of looking at the character. Is it because he's traditionally played by a white actor and is therefore discounted as being irrelevant to the plot? I ask because while I've never personally seen a POC play Mark (though we do know he's Jewish), I have seen white actors play Tom Collins and Benny without it appearing to upset the character dynamics of the story. Why does Mark specifically have to be gay, an addict or sick to be a central character in the show? Is it that you believe the book itself should be changed to something Larson didn't intend (Larson was himself white, straight, sober, HIV negative and Jewish) or that Mark's (i.e. Larson's) issues simply aren't valid? Mark's story has always been about questioning his own artistic integrity and his bonds of friendships. His struggle with those things as well as the effects of the struggles of his friends are "his fight". Why would anyone assume the events of the plot have nothing to do with him? He's either directly involved or someone he loves is directly involved. What is the "making it about you" thing?





Roscoe said: "The involvement of the Larson estate at least makes me hope that the production won't be sanitized for Prime Time, like the movie was."

SethMH93 said "The Larson estate was involved with the 2005 film version as well"

Oh, well.

Yeah, the Larson estate didn't really do much to honor Larson or the work when agreeing to that film. Selling out for a PG made-for-television production with some trendy names in unsurprising. The thought of the Hair live show is even more terrifying. I can't wait to see the fully-clothed clean version of Naked Boys Singing Live! starring Ariana Grande, Frankie Grande, Tween-of-the-Month, The Voice Contestant #422, Something Kardashian, Zendaya, Blair St. Clair and Okieriete Onaodowan.

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All I have to say is Vanessa Hudgens is so incredibly wrong for Maureen. Nothing about her screams the role whatsoever and she certainly won’t be able to belt it. I can already hear her breathily talk singing her way through Take Me Or Leave Me. And don’t get me wrong I grew up with the HSM movies and was totally fine with her as Gigi, but not this. At all. You can’t tell me that they could not have gotten either another pop star who at least fit the role or let it be played by a newcomer! *sigh*

I think the character of Mark is definitely a surrogate for Jonathan Larson himself. I don't think the character is gay (a distinct vibe the very openly gay Anthony Rapp brought to the original) but I do think his Jewish background seems important to the character. Jordan Fisher is definitely a different take. Not sure it is good casting, but we'll see.

paphillyguy said: "This casting is lame. Valentina as Angel give me a break. You need grit to perform that role. I hope Valentina doesn't whisper the entire show."

She knows that we will have to be able to see her lips, right?

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Based on social media responses, no one really likes Jordan fisher being cast and no one likes Vanessa. Also people are saying that they are going to pass on watching this and just rewatch the movie instead.

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I'm a huge fan of the casting of Jordan Fisher. He will be perfect in thi role. Same goes for Brandon and Kiersy. I think Valentina will be pretty good as well.

The casting of Tinashe on the other hand...

I have an issue with a non-white Mark, as Mark is litterally written as a white savior who epically fails at his job of being a white savior. He’s literally the only cast member who has never faced adversity and as such he is the audience’s lens into Aphabet City. Its why the “this lot is filled with mother &@$@@ artists” line from the hustler works as a laugh line. She’s actually struggling to survive and Mark has always lived with a silver spoon in his mouth. Add to that its the black characters who actually have successful lives with Joanne a laywer, Tom scholar, and Ben a real estate developer, while the white trio (Roger, Mark, and Maureen) are failed artists. If they were reverse cast the trio, i think it might be interesting, but I think Mark has to be the whitest character possible.

Valentina?
I’d say I hope she lip-syncs, but we all know how well that goes...

tinashe as mimi and mario as benny?? wow that’s very interesting. tinashe will definitely slay as mimi. she has the moves, the attitude, the spunk. she will kill it. and mario is a very strong vocalist and i think he is a good actor. i’m very looking forward to their performances.