La Cage Vs Rent

[UDJAT]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 12:42pm

I'm gonna be in NYC this weekend and I really wanted to catch something while I was there. Everything that I intended on seeing is pretty much sold out. So now I'm torn between seeing Rent or La Cage. I haven't seen either. I've been dying to Rent for a very long time but I know it's not going anywhere anytime soon so I feel I can see it whenever. Then there's La Cage, which I'm not sure if it will be good and if I would enjoy it.

Can I get some recommendations on which one I should see????

[umgeoboy]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 12:45pm

I would definitely see LaCage. I saw it last weekend and it is a great show. The cast is wonderful! Robert Goullet has an amazing voice, and Gary Beach was just nominated for a Tony for his role.

Rent has been on broadway forever and the current cast of rent is far from my favorite cast.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 12:46pm

I like both, but I am a major RENThead so I would have to say RENT because if I didn't, it would go against my nature.

[Elphaba]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 12:47pm

RENT........once you see it, you'll wonder why you waited

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:15pm

LaCage.

If you see Rent, you'll walk away thinking "there were four good people in that show and everyone else was disgraceful". The staging has become sloppy, the cast for the most part has become lazy and all should be fired and the show recast with the exception of four - Caren Lyn Manuel, Josh Kobak, Merle Dandridge, and Diana Kaarina (WASTED as a swing there). Those four - outstanding. The rest.... pathetic in every way. Subpar performers slacking off on stage, openly playing games and jokes - true, it happens on EVERY Broadway stage, but the cast of Rent takes it to new levels. They have NO shame at all. Sadly, when the cast spends the entire show laughing and having random conversations on stage and missing cues and goofing off, the Rentheads consider it a "good" show because the cast 'had fun'.

Go for La Cage... Gary Beach and Bryan batt.. Gavin Creel... and the Cagelles - of particular note - Andy Pellick, Joey Dudding, Will Taylor (he can have a carreer as a Nicole Kidman drag queen after this!), and super swing Paul McGill.. all deserve HIGH praise.

[UDJAT]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:18pm

I haven't heard the soundtrack for La Cage. How are the vocals and overal score of the show?

BTW - thanks for everyone's comments so far.

[timote316]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:20pm

Cast recording. They haven't made a cast recording of the new production of La Cage.

Personally, I would go see Rent, but that's just me.

[LightMyCandle125]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:21pm

the la cage revival doesn't have a recording out *yet* but i would agree with those who have said la cage. you're right when you say rent will be around for a while (even though i love that show more than life)...i would catch la cage or otherwise you may regret it when it leaves *tear*. plus, it's nominated for best revival!!!

[alphieboy]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:21pm

I would personaly go with "Rent". Although I do agree with what broadwayguy had to say about the lack of focus within the cast. I have seen Rent most recently at the end of March, so I can confirm this.

[sally1112]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:28pm

See Rent, even a "weak" performance of this show will change your life.

[camerangel]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:30pm

I Haven't seen La Cage, but I saw Rent in March and Hated several members of the cast.. I wanted to jump up on stage and kill several of them.. I'm a die hard Renthead and I wish this wasn't the case.. Maybe they have improved since then, but I dont know... I am happy to say that Marcus IS amazing, I haven't seen his MR Jefferson, which is what he's playing on broadway, but his Collins is F*cking Amazing..

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:36pm

FYI, Merle Dandridge is on some kind of hiatus. I think she'll be back in June but I'm not sure.

[Albin]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:37pm

Depends on what you'd rather see: traditional musical comedy vs more contemporary rock musical.

[camerangel]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:38pm

I had heard Merle was gone, but nothing else.. So she IS coming back right??

[Theatreboy49]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:40pm

RENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's way better than La Cage beacause the revival was not anywhere as good as the original.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:42pm

go see la cage... wait for the next rent tour to start up, the last one's cast was far superior to the broadway one

[camerangel]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:45pm

Jonart, that is soo very true, but you never know how good the next tour will be.. Hopefully just as amazing if not more so..

[South Fl Marc]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:49pm

I love the show La Cage - so considering whats playing now on Broadway - see Rent.

[alphieboy]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 2:16pm

I also enjoyed him as Collins. Frenchie went on as Joanne and stole the show! The girl is amazing, and is worth paying the price to hear her Season's of Love solo alone. I also enjoyed Ms. Alers her Mimi was great, and I loved her take on the character. Sheilds and Cary were okay, while the girl who played Maureen was truly awful, and she scared me!

[camerangel]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 2:26pm

Well I can't say anything for or against Destan as Collins because I haven't seen his portrayal yet. But Marcus has this ability to make your breath catch and tears to well in your eyes.. Especially in his ICY:R..

Cary I had a hard time not hating.. I have very strong opinions about him.. Matt I think was good, but went for the cheap laughs a little too much.. Carmine, was good, I loved some of her acting choices. And yes I will agree that Frenchie has an amazing SOL solo..

[UDJAT]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 2:56pm

The comments I've received is exactly what I wanted to hear. I'm sure I'm going to see Rent eventually and I'm sure I'm gonna end up seeing it multiple times. So with that being said, I think I will be seeing La Cage this weekend providing I get decent seats. Hopefully the show wont disappoint me - I'm sure to let you all know either way.

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 3:03pm

See La Cage for the Tony noms and everything, but maybe try the Rent lotto if you're up for 2 shows! :)

Rent is gonna be there for a while, but I'd see La Cage just in case it goes.

[InfiniteTheaterFrenzy]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 3:05pm

RENT!!! I used to be a huge Renthead, but I completely overdid it, and to detox myself, went 3 years without seeing the show. I also had great distaste for the way the casts were deteriorating... But I saw Rent last week. And I was totally shocked/ pleasantly surprised. This cast has a lot of talent, and a lot of heart, and reminded me why this show goes beyond what so many others only try to be.

[ikmbway]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 3:33pm

RENT! Go see Cary he is great!!

[ikmbway]

Posted: 5/10/05 at 3:33pm

sorry double post
Updated On: 5/10/05 at 03:33 PM