Kristen Lee Kelly Returns to Rent in 2004 — Page 2

You're really really really missing the point. Let's look at it this way.

You get hired as a grocery bagger with the understanding that you will cover the person on cash register if she ever gets sick. She misses some days and you get a lot of experience on the register. Eventually the person leaves and instead of you becoming the new permanent cash register person, you remain a bagger and somebody who has never worked at the store before takes over on the register. One day, THAT person finally leaves and you become the permanent register person. You are so beloved, you become Head Cashier.

Then you move on. To other jobs and other positions at other high profile stores. You are a replacement grocery manager at several stores and even the midnight shift store manager at another.

Time passes. The first store you ever worked at calls you back and invites you to rejoin the staff. AS A GROCERY BAGGER.

That's why it's a step down.

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Updated On: 12/6/03 at 01:31 AM

That analogy Namo works for me when you are talking about being a grocery bagger, not when you are dealing with Broadway roles. So should Roger Bart look at his return as Carmen in the Producers as a step down? He was once the lead you know. Gwen Stewart should also be hanging her head because she was once Joanne. I guess we will just have to disagree because I think it's nice that she's returning to the show and I don't see even an ensemble role as something to scoff at.

FindingNamo - Do you also think it's a step down for a woman who's a corporate executive to have a baby and decides to stay home to be a full-time wife and mother?

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Once again Namo we just have to disagree. You seem to be inferring that pulling from the non-equity tour is a negative thing when most of the original cast was non equity and they were very good. Some also criticized the producers for not continuing to pull from non equity and now that they are it's suddenly a bad thing. What Rent once was? A little dramatic, and I guess I just don't share your opinions. The show is in great shape right now and people who are connected to "what Rent once was" will tell you that. I also never used the words honored and privileged. It's a job and she took it and if she's happy who is anyone to pass judgement on her. And who knows. Maybe she didn't want a lead role, maybe she was content to take the job she did. There have been people in the past who preferred the ensemble because there are advantages to it and they turned down lead roles. You never know. She has also had a little bit of vocal trouble in the past so it might be better on her voice to not be singing Maureen every night. Not that she probably couldn't do it but I'm just pointing out that there could be a number of reasons for her decisions.

Updated On: 12/6/03 at 02:09 AM

StateofJade...how has Wilson been "messed up"?

The grocery bagger analogy didn't go over my head. I just disagree. Maybe if RENT had some more of the original cast members back, it would pick up big time.

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I think that most of the other original cast members have (thankfully), moved on and would (hopefully) be too busy to come back, unless it was for obscene amounts of $$, which I think would be rather impossible, given the reputation for frugality the producers have.

Well, as the saying goes, you get what you pay for!

a.) I am not making cheap comments/cheap shots, but the RENR producers ARE VERY VERY frugal and don't like to pay much past equity minum and the Weisslers are notorious for that as well.

B.) I TRY to be positive and not slam people

C.) Excuse me, but I am NOT having a good week, so positives are a stretch for me today.

I am not posting to be difficult, but I honestly still do not understand how any of the people on that stage can be considered amateur at this point. Yes, many of them started their career with Rent, but at the same time, most have been in numerous productions of the show, or on Broadway for years. I think that would give them some experience. I know that's another stab people like to take, that actors remain in that show for too long, but that doesn't make sense to me either. Why give up a job you are good at that will keep you just because you've been there for a long time? But I digress. Back to the topic at hand, Kristen likes Rent. Kristen was asked to go back. In Namo's terms, if Kristen didn't want to go back to be being the "bagger", she would have told them to jack off and that she's better than that. Obviously, there's something about the show, her role, their offer or her personal preferences in jobs on Broadway, that made her go back. It makes no sense to look down on her if this is something she wants to do.

I can't help but be curious if the people who so often like to post negative comments about this show have even seen it recently. If so, that's one thing, but I have a hard time taking criticisms seriously if I know they are based on four year old opinions or comments they've heard but not witnessed themselves.

Updated On: 12/6/03 at 01:13 PM

OMG Toon and GirlfriendfromCanada, you guys are my HEROS!! Seriously.

That grocery bagger analogy was so not relevant. Jade and Nemo have made it VERY clear how they feel the current cast of RENT is, but obviosuly the show STILL touches people and there ARE people who do think its in great shape. I fyou dont agree, too bad. And as for RENT being a "joke", thje only jokes ive heard are from the people around here who can't stand it when a show doesnt close after the OBC leaves.

Im sure KLK is happy, and will be wonderful, and we should all rejoice =D

"It's so far past due it's expiration date and has so many ametures running around on it's stage that it's an eyesore now."

I saw the show last week, and I wouldn't call the current cast amateurs. Matt Caplan, Andy Senor, D'Monroe, Shaun Earl, Cristina Fadale and others have been with the show since roughly '98 and I find them all to be EXTREMELY talented. Original cast member Gwen Stewart is back - and vocally in top form I must say. Jeremy Kushnier came from Broadway's Footloose and the Aida tour (hardly an amateur), Merle Dandridge was phenomenla as Aida and has several Broadway credits, and several others in the ensemble have plenty of experience on Broadway and off. The only major role held by a recent non-equity cast member is Krystal Washington, and I'll be honest. When I saw her in the tour a year and a half ago, I actually said that I would put her up against many of the equity "Mimis" I'd seen. I thought she was a stand-out in that tour and I didn't have any problems with her being cast on Broadway (aside from losing Karmine Alers - who I felt was one of the strongest Mimis to date.) I know some take issue with the so called "recycled" cast members, but that's another thing I've never found to be an issue as long as the performers are good. And I think they are.

After seven and a half years of seeing the show I've watched the production go through some ups and downs -- and there have certainly been some casting choices that made me want to cry. But at the moment the cast is strong and energetic, and the last thing I would complain about is the quality. It's not lacking at all in my opinion, and Kristen rejoining will certainly be a wonderful addition. When I heard she was coming back to her original role, it never once crossed my mind that it would be considered some type of regression, so I certainly don't share that sentiment AT ALL. I've spoken with her several times over the years about Rent and it's obvious how strongly she feels about it - and she's even talked about how much she missed doing it. People can make all the assumptions they want, but I'm guessing/hoping she's very happy at the moment.

Well, I guess you "learned" me Becky. Let me be blunt for a moment, if I may. Most of these *fine* actors can't get other jobs, that's why they're all still there. The fact that you stated some of them have been there since 98' should tell you everything you need to know. It's not something to gloat about.