Jai's Back!!! He's my angel! :-)

http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=38740&CT=38http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=38740&CT=38>http://www.broadway.com/template_1.asp?CI=38740&CT=38

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I've been hoping for this for a while... I saw him play Angel about a year and a half ago and absolutely adored him. With all of the horrid casting decisions in RENT recently, this is a welcome treat in my book!

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Yay! I'm sure he'll be as great as he was when he was first there! I wonder where Andy Senor is going...

I also see boybander Drew Lachey is teh next Mark.... RENT has official become TRentL.


When did Mark Cohen become a hottie role????

Is this show totally hurting or what?

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Jai is there in JULY. Drew starts in SEPTEMBER.

Anyway, I think it's cool Jai's making a quick return. Obviously, he doesn't HAVE to, so it's not like he's resorting to going back to Rent. And given he started in the show was he was 17, one can't exactly call this stunt casting in the same way all of the other "celebs" are cast. Maybe just a smart move.

ratings aren't as high because they have been airing RERUNS

Totally wasn't aimed at you. I tend to use caps when I want to stress something. I thought stressing when each were starting would be good, things like that tend to get lost in the shuffle. Sorry bout that.

It is going to be a lot of celebs at once, though. I don't really think that Jai fits in the same category as Drew and Mel, though, just because Rent was where he started. It's more like a prodigal son thing that anything.

He was mobbed this fall when he was there just to watch! I can only imagine what it will be like when he's in the show. But of all of them, he is currently the biggest name. It really is a good move on their part, and cool of him to go back for awhile. Must be a pretty big paycheck.

And isn't he supposed to be putting a pop CD out?

so is this the movie cast line up?

Drew
Jai
Mel B &
Frenchie Davis in
RENT THE MOVIE

I remember reading somewhere that he sort of - as far as theatre is concerned, I guess - disappeared into oblivion. It was on some other message board I think, but no one could figure out where he is or what he's up to.

On the topic of Jai being considered stunt-casting (and since I read a similar comment about Idina on the thread about her and Colin Farrell).... I'll just say this. I think that casting Jai is *definitely* a form of stunt casting, as would be Idina if she becomes a big "name." Because of Queer Eye, Jai has absolutely become a "name." And while I say I hate stunt casting, I suppose I should clarify. I totally support this, and no, not just because I love Jai. He was in the show before he was a star, and I think that's really important. I think that stunt-casting for the right reasons - to put in a over-used example, Hugh Jackman - if the actor can handle it as well as be a big box office draw, than I think it's ok. So I guess I should stop saying I hate stunt-casting and say that I hate stunt-casting purely because of money.... just a small technicality, but I think you all get it.

Anyway, I'm done rambling... just my two cents. Congrats to Jai!!

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Wilson Heredia came back to RENT for a few months a couple years ago and was pretty awful. I don't recall him getting much good feedback when he was back, and I haven't heard anything about him since.

As far as Jai, I saw his first show on Broadway as Angel and it was in 1998. He is hands down the best angel i've seen .. hope to catch him in the show in July.