Can there be a White Angel (RENT)??????- Page 2

[trpguyy]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 11:11am

Off topic, but my roommate didn't know that Angel was a dude until he saw the movie. I guess he couldn't tell from his nosebleed seats at the Nederlander or from listening to the cast recording.

I think that's kinda funny.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 11:14am

My sister didn't realize Angel was a guy until she read the playbill during intermission. But Damien DeShaun Smith (another black Angel) is so girly, I guess I can kind of understand.

[singingwendy]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 11:31am

"That being said, with the exception of Mimi and Mark (after all, most Jews are white), each character could be any race."

Almost said that but then remembered one of my former students who was an African American girl with the last name of Cohen.......and don't forget Lenny Kravitz....so, technically...even Mark could be cast differently!

And I agree that it's great to cast different ethnicities if possible, however I just see that once it's being performed in places other than Broadway or the Broadway tour, we'll see alot of casts where there isn't quite so much diversity.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 11:53am

I suppose Angel could be played by an actor that could pass for something ethnic rather than just specifically Hispanic, but after all, Angel is a Hispanic name...

[elvenprincess971]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 1:31pm

How interesting, because the rent casting website for the show asks for specific ethnicities...

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 2:06pm

" but after all, Angel is a Hispanic name..."

Or a white vampire's...

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 2:24pm

"How interesting, because the rent casting website for the show asks for specific ethnicities..."

Well, as others have said, the ethnic diversity of the show adds to its message, so perhaps that's why they ask for specific races.

[ajayspak2]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 2:34pm

Mark Setlock was also an understudy on the Broadway version in 1997, and I'm sorry but he sucked, couldn't sing and couldn't dance and where close to Wilson Jeremain Heredia, but he is the only White angel that ive seen. As with all people from non-white heritage, you can find a wide range of skin color and tone, from white to dark. I'm a med to fair skin South Asian Indian American and have met many Indians that look really white. This said, I'm not for the casting of Angel by a White actor because the diversity of the show is one of the core reasons why it breaks boundaries and borders.

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 3:23pm

Mimi has been played by girls of many different races. African american, Asian, White, Latina. Ava, I believe is white, Karmine is puerto rican, Julie santana or something like that is asian, and krystal washing is african american, along with many other women.

[fishergirl819]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 3:36pm

I also know that Danny Calvert (currently in Altar Boyz, and white) was Angel on tour

Actually, Danny was Paul on tour, and understudied Angel (although he never went out).

[StephanietheStar]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 3:48pm

OK, well you can play mimi or angel if you are white/not hispanic...but you probably need to LOOK like you could be.

Me, with my blonde hair and green eyes would NEVER, EVER in a MILLION years be considered for Mimi....sad really

[Amneris]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 5:07pm

I've seen hispanic girls play Maureen aka Karen Olivo, Yaz Alers..

If I am not correct, in the very beginning, wasn't norb u/s to angel? Like back in 1996 after David Driver was fired?

They almost made Aiko Nakasone a mimi cover but, they didn;t.

[Kringas]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 7:14pm

Angel is a Hispanic name...

I never thought Angel was the character's birth name. I figured the entire Angel Dumott Schunard moniker was a drag name.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 7:22pm

But he wouldn't introduce himself to Collins by his drag name when he's out of drag.

[Kringas]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 7:28pm

True enough, orangeskittles, though I've known drag queens who used their drag names in men's clothes.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 7:36pm

Thanks for replying everyone. I still think a white angel could work.

[mikewood]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 7:49pm

I too always thought Angel made up his....her name. During the funeral sequence, I just always assumed Angel was estranged by his family.

Just an assumption, that's all.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 7:54pm

Angel's grandmother and sister were at his funeral, they were listed in the credits.

[loganp37]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:06pm

If that is true Amneris, did Norbert ever go on for Angel?

[Amneris]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:24pm

i am not quite sure if he did or not but, i swear when the OBC was around, I remember seeing his name listed as an angel u/s.

I also know Networks called back a BUNCH of white guys for angel the last time they had auditions.

[jeremykushnier1fan]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 8:33pm

If they could pull off those heels, hell let 'em be Angel.

I feel that there should be as many cultures and races involved in RENT as possible. But if they have the talent then why not. Norbert as Angel, really?

[grizzabella]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:19pm

As long as the cast is ethnically and racially mixed, with the exception of Mimi (only because it's specified) I think it makes very little difference which race or ethnic background is protrayed in the other characters. The story will hold up, regardless. I like the idea that Angel and Collins are an interracial couple, though. Though as someone pointed out already, once the rights are released, there will be all kinds of castings for all the roles.

[Amneris]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 9:24pm

Well not to bring this up but, mark kind of has to be a caucasian nebbish only because he specifies in 'tango maureen' that he learned to tango at temple.

[gumbo2]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 10:59pm

You don't have to be white to attend temple. However, maybe it's just me, but even mark being a red-head seemed a little off, I don't know any Jews with red hair...just a dumb thing I noticed. Though Anthony is AMAZING.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 11/29/05 at 11:02pm

I don't know any Jews with red hair...

I do. (But he's also half French.)