Of the three times I saw the show with them, Christopher J. Hanke was so-so one night, fantastic another, and kind of awful the last. Tim Howar was consistently terriblewonderful enjoyable.
They both get pluses, and I hope the fangirls weren't too invasive tonight.
Christopher Hanke was a great change from Matt Caplan and I really think he fit the role of Mark. He did a fantastic job while he was there.
I am beyond glad to see Tim Howar leave. He never improved, always messed up on the guitar, and I couldnt stand his voice or his acting choices. Worst Roger I've seen. People would be like "oh but hes SUCH a nice guy" when I'd say I didnt like his Roger, but him as a person and his performance were two different things to me and I feel like with some of these fangirls they cant separate the two.
I saw Rent on Broadway in May after having not seen Rent in any incarnation (save the movie) since 2001 -- it was a wonderful experience, especially the performances of Hanke and Howar. Here's hoping they return sometime down the road.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
If Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp were not coming back I would definitely be very sad to see them go. They both gave riveting performances and both brought something original to their roles. Tim Howar had a great roughness about him and his "Glory" never failed to send shivers down my spine (although his "Goodbye Love" was really over-the-top). Hanke always stayed true to Mark and he always seemed to be doing something new with the role. One of the best things I have ever seen on a Broadway stage was at the end of "La Vie Boheme B" when they are putting their fists in the air and you can see the passion and hopefulness Mark was going through every inch higher his hand went. I felt so relieved and excited after that number.
i wish i would have gotten to see chris, as i really love him and know hes a great performer (having seen him twice in that train wreck lovingly known as In My Life)
I enjoyed both performances a lot. I always had to remind myself though with Christopher that he wasn't my friend Kurt. They're seriously separated at birth twins or something! :) But both will be missed.
Experience live theater. Experience paintings. Experience books. Live, look and listen like artists! ~ imaginethis
LIVE THAT LESSON!!!!!!
Are either of them scheduled to return after Adam & Anthony's short run?
"Winning a Tony this year is like winning Best Attendance in third grade: no one will care but the winner and their mom."
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
wannabe, no, they're not returning. Declan and Harley from the most recent tour will be taking over the roles. I'm surprised you missed the many discussions about this. :)
By the way, I saw Hunter at Williamstown last week and he was fabulous. Truly, truly great in a crazy, fun show.
I would've liked to see Christopher Hanke, but oh well.
Tim was in it last April when I saw it. Seemed like a nice guy, but good riddance. Yelling is not acting. It was painful. I don't understand how he still has a voice.
Saw them in March, fantastic. Hope they return after Adam and Anthony, or find new work!
"Oh look at the time, three more intelligent plays just closed and THE ADDAMS FAMILY made another million dollars" -Jackie Hoffman, Broadway.com Audience Awards
I enjoyed both of them to varying degrees every time I saw them in the show. Tim Howar does have a penchant for overacting, but I got a genuine vibe from him on stage which compensated for it, at least most of the time.
As a sidenote, I gave Van Tramp's (Howar's band) debut album a few listens but didn't find it to my liking at all. I was expecting something a bit more hard rock, but I'd certainly be able to overlook that if all the songs didn't lull me to sleep and if he chose to use the same voice he did as Roger on the album. He seems to go with more of a nasal, whiny tone with his band's music, which is unfortunate considering he has a great rock voice.