Latebreaking RENT FILM CASTING NEWS — Page 29

Hey Anthony, by "record" do you mean for the actual film, or you mean there's going to be a soundtrack? I know a lot of you guys weren't thrilled with the way the OBCR turned out, so hopefully this will give you all a chance to have a recording that turns out a little bit differently.

On that note, I've read a few comments about the OBC's feelings toward the original recording - I think somewhere on Broawday.com, Adam said it sounded too much like a cast recording.... or not enough? I'm not sure I remember. I know I always notice that the music sounds drastically different live, but I think I usually figure that most shows sound different when you're actually there, especially in terms of the instrumentals. Anyway, if you don't mind, what exactly went wrong? Thanks!

Thespian Geek - from someone who's embarassed herself a number of times (albeit in person, which is much worse)... be careful!

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Updated On: 11/1/04 at 09:02 AM

Aww, thespian_geek's another Anthony fangirl. She's also a fangirl of anyone in Rent who doesn't literally slap her either in the face or with a restraining order. Please ignore her moment of idiocy. It starts to grow on you. Like moss. Or herpes. Eczema? But if you've got a used and battered gaming system that you want to sell (heck, if you've got a turd in the can and you need a buck or two), let her buy it so she can validate her existence, will ya?

Also, Anthony, I wasn't going to post this but I thought you might like to know that Andy Meeks from the current Rent tour is the one who's currently wearing your Mark coat. Apparently he was the only Mark to fit into it, and trust me when I say he was giddy as hell at the opportunity to wear it when he showed us. (As was I. - sorry, fangirl moment)

And he plays a great Mark, by the way, so it's in good hands.

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Updated On: 1/21/05 at 11:54 AM

luvtheemcee: On that note, I've read a few comments about the OBC's feelings toward the original recording - I think somewhere on Broawday.com, Adam said it sounded too much like a cast recording.... or not enough? I'm not sure I remember. I know I always notice that the music sounds drastically different live, but I think I usually figure that most shows sound different when you're actually there, especially in terms of the instrumentals. Anyway, if you don't mind, what exactly went wrong? Thanks!

I remember reading that Adam thought it sounded too much like a regular old cast recording, as did many others. It wasn't the target sound they were aiming for apparently, which was more like a rock concert I think.

I prefer going to see the show because I love how organic, textured and overwhelming the sound is. It's part of the overall feel of the show. I find that the Rent OBCR is just very clean cut and sounds almost radically different than what's offered on that stage from the band (under the direction of Boko Suzuki! Woot!). Everything feels toned down on the recording. Very careful and precise. ::shrug::

For me, the OBCR just doesn't represent what the show is. However, I didn't know that until I saw the show and got really into it. Not to say the OBCR is "bad" or anything like that. I still enjoy it, mainly because of the cast, but I prefer a rawer sound. Can't wait to see how the movie soundtrack comes out.

Wasn't a second English recording supposed to be made a few years ago? Krysten Cummings and Neil Patrick Harris were rumored for it as Mimi and Mark respectively. Guess it fell through.

Thespian Geek is known for displaying spectacular moments of stupidity. Hopefully she has learned her lesson and all will be dandy from now on!

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Updated On: 1/21/05 at 01:05 PM

Kris - makes sense. It does sound more like a rock concert even when you see the show in person. Thanks!

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Exactly. I saw the show in December of 2001, or something like that, and bought the "Best of" CD (fear not, I know own - and cherish - the full OBCR). It was a year and a half between that first time and the second time I saw the show, and I got used to hearing everything as it was on the CD. I got to the Neder that following May and was like "well! This certainly sounds different!" A lot of the instrumentals seem less energetic, in a way, in person.

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(under the direction of Boko Suzuki! Woot!)

Ohhh Kristen. You make me laugh so much. YAY BOKO.

Yes, it wasn't as over the top but it still had the purpose of mocking performance art, it was huge here in NYC in the late 80's and trust me there was plenty to mock about it, thats why no one does it anymore.

"Yes, it wasn't as over the top but it still had the purpose of mocking performance art, it was huge here in NYC in the late 80's and trust me there was plenty to mock about it, thats why no one does it anymore."

I think the Laurie Anderson type of performance art that inspired Maureen's work (or at least seems very similar to it) was fairly easy to mock because the political intent wasn't always clear. But, Anderson had some pretty awesome ideas about how technology can be used to blur gender lines -- hence many of our screennames, really. She did a great performance in the '80s for which she wore a full body suit, a sports coat, a tie and spoke with a microphone that masculinized her voice. The idea was to make any audience members who had 'stumbled upon' the show unsure of her gender. "Over the Moon" is sort of a funny spin on this with the techno-voiced "leap of faith" singers. (if you look through your Rent Bible, you'll see a picture of Laurie Anderson performing another show from around this time.)

I'd love to see something by her or Karen Finley. These women were a joke to some but it's hard to discount the contributions they made to feminist thought, women's performance, etc.

I will definitely moo if they keep that part in the movie!

Evelyn, I feel you're love for i should tell you cos thats when roger finds out Mimi has AIDS very very important plot point

Evelyn, you have a very nice filmic sensibility, to you work in the industry?