I don't know who Justin Johnson is, but Justin Johnston has been in RENT for quite a while now.
"He found something that he wanted, had always wanted and always would want— not to be admired, as he had feared; not to be loved, as he had made himself believe; but to be necessary to people, to be indispensable."
-F. Scott Fitzgerald's This Side of Paradise
Every time I've seen the show (wasn't many, but the first time was three years ago and the last time was three months ago) he's been Angel. I'd like to see someone new.
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-whatever2
He was the only one who gave any energy when I saw the show.
"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 saw the show for the first time a couple of weeks ago.. I had no interest seeing it before. The show felt fresh, and if I didn't know anything about the show, I would not have guessed that it's been playing for 12 years.
Everyone had energy the night I saw it.. No autopilot from anyone.. but Justin Johnston was just brilliant.
I've seen Shaun, Robin, Telly, Andy, and Justin. I can see why people may be getting tired of him but you have to keep in mind... Broadway shows are intended for an audience that consists of people seeing the show for the first and only time. Now granted there are plenty of exceptions (us crazy folks) but he's doing a good job giving a lot to his performance and using his own personal touches (I personally love the way he goes "new york city...YAY" or whatever)
That being said... he has been the show for quite some time now. But he's definitely not the only one. (Marcus for example) and several people who were in it for a really long time just recently left (haven, luther)
<-- Gwen Stewart, SOLoist at the last show of RENT Cages or wings?
Which do you prefer?
Ask the birds.
Fear or love, baby?
Don't say the answer
Actions speak louder than words.
(Tick, Tick... BOOM!)
While I agree that it's nice to see different actors in each role, I also agree that most people who see the show never see it again, and it makes sense, financially and artistically, to keep an actor in a role during a long-running show. It's no surprise in a show that's been around, both touring and in NYC, for so long that there would be a multitude of actors who have spent considerable time with the show. Justin is only one example and he's not even close to being one with the longest run with the show. Many in the recent cast have been with the show multiple times and/or a few long runs: Shaun, Rodney, Marcus, Michael, Kenna, Caren, Maia, Andy, Crystal, Karmine, Phillip, Jay, and, of course, the longest current castmember, by far, Owen.
mealz, Luther wasn't with the cast for 'a really long time', although it's true that he had been in Rent a few times previously, several years ago.
No autopilot from anyone.. but Justin Johnston was just brilliant.
Have you seen Justin more than once? His performance IS autopilot; I've never once seen him deviate from the identical routine he puts on every single night. You could boil an egg to the timing of his "spontaneous" squeals during I'll Cover You. That's not acting, that's schtick.
Like a firework unexploded
Wanting life but never
knowing how
When I saw him for the first time (last year), I'd never seen him before but had seen Rent 7 times at that point. He was even boring and "autopilot" to me then.
And my only other Angel was Shaun Earl. I think I know autopilot when I see it.
"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt
This was the first time I saw him, and RENT. I didn't get autopilot from him at all. When I saw CHICAGO a while ago though, I got it from most of the ensemble.
I really ejoyed Justin's performance but was really disappointed by his mouthing to other cast member's when the focus was not on him. Just a little too much fooling around for my taste when it wasn't about him.
