Latebreaking RENT FILM CASTING NEWS- Page 5

[Matt_G]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:26pm

BroadwayGirl107, Idina will most probably get the part because her name needs to get out there more and become more well known before the MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE film version of WICKED is filmed with her and Chenoweth.

[Chloe]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:27pm

B-way buff, your original post about this is now confirmed, and I would like to acknowledge that and thank you for letting us know what's going on.

As a non-Renthead, I'm a little baffled by some of the responses on this thread. I expected Rent fans to be a little more open to the possibility of seeing most of the original cast in the movie. If the filmmakers think they can make this work, why not? I'll be very interested in seeing them myself.

[robbiej]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:29pm

'ARE YOU NEW?'

That's a favorite Roseanne quip.

Brava, Matt!

[Matt_G]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:29pm

Because a lot of Rentheads are among the MOST vicious group of people you're likely to come upon. They've been obsessed with this show for years now and are like my 95 year old great grandmother who is so set in her ways nothing you can say will change their minds.

Updated On: 10/26/04 at 03:29 PM

[Plum]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:32pm

Well, I will go see the movie, and I will be prepared to cringe. But that's because the only members of the OBC I found to be even remotely tolerable were Heredia, Martin, and occassionally Rapp.

[The8re phan]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:32pm

First off, I think it's a great thing that they are even making a movie version of RENT. And I'm sure that I'll see it (and be critical of alot of it) no matter who is cast in the film.

I loved the show when it first opened, and I still love the music. Alot of what was special about the show back then was that the original cast knew Johnathan personally, and after his death, brought alot more urgency and meaning to the work. I've seen many, many others in the roles since, and that magic is GONE. Same story, same sets, same great score --- but alot of what was special about Rent when it first opened is gone.

I'm sure that having at least some of the original cast in the film will bring a little of that spark back. After all, they were there when Johnathan Larson died, and would want to see his work preserved properly.

[insomniak]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:32pm

*raises hand*

Um... I guess I would be a Renthead, but I'm open to the idea of new people or OBC. I want the best actor to get the role, whoever that may be. Watch who you're labling there, Matt.

[Chloe]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:33pm

"Because a lot of Rentheads are among the MOST vicious group of people you're likely to come upon."

Probably a little hyperbole there, but still, that's sad!

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:34pm

That's funny--I'm excited to hear the news and I thougt you would be too.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:34pm

insomniak, I didn't say all rentheads. But I know you've been around long enough to know what I'm talking about.

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:34pm

Chloe, don't encourage *it*!

QM

[insomniak]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:37pm

I do know, Matt... And it's often true, but I don't think the label needs to be reiterated and spread; the people who fall under that category speak for themselves. Updated On: 10/26/04 at 03:37 PM

[Chloe]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:38pm

Sorry! Anyway. I got interrupted writing my first message, and didn't see a lot of the more positive things that have been posted lately.

[ElphieInMyHeart]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:47pm

whose going to be in the mvoie?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:59pm

robbiej - It is one of my quips EVER! I'm glad you recognized it.
Another addendum

Updated On: 10/26/04 at 03:59 PM

[QueenMuppet]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 3:59pm

Exactly, Elphie! You tell them!

QM

[basketcase]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 4:00pm

"whose going to be in the mvoie?"

Did you read this thread AT ALL?

[Kris2]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 4:00pm

BroadwayGirl107: I think the best news I've heard all the day is the fact that they ARE considering Menzel for Maureen. I am set on the fact that she must have that role. Plus, she's barely aged, if at all.

I agree. I don't think she looks any older than she did when she was in Rent.


broadwayguy2: no problem! I LOVE Rent and the original broadway cast.. i just have issue with some of them being given WAY to much credit for little talent and I think that the quality of casting has gone WAY down... going from the likes of Simone, Shayna Steele, Michael McElroy, Jim Poulos, Sherie Renee Scott, and others to the current crop of drivel on that stage who get kicks out of playing around and having casual chat with band members during shows...

Ouch. That's a little harsh. Give them another chance. There is a lot of talent in the current cast. Sure, there's always some weak links, but that's only natural. I feel everyone else makes up for it. The show is in a lot better shape than it was in a couple years ago. The cast is tons more energetic and into the show now. I have seen more amazing performances in the last couple of months than I did a couple years back. Jeremy Kushnier, Colin Hanlon, Caren Lyn Manuel, and Dominique Roy to name a few. Though Caren left to be a standby in Brooklyn.

Krystal Washington has been doing a bang up job since she's been back, great chemistry with Jeremy's Roger. Not to mention the always solid Karmine Alers, Mark Richard Ford (who's coming back soon), Merle Dandridge, D'Monroe, and Justin Johnston. Some of which may be a matter of taste, but all of whom are fabulously talented. I think the Maureen department is weakest right now, but others disagree. Doesn't mean they're not talented.

Yes, the producers have made some mistakes with casting over the years. There are many that would argue Simone and Sherie Rene Scott were miscast as Mimi and Maureen respectively. That Simone was too old and her acting wasn't believable even if she could sing the sh*t outta the score. That Sherie was too annoying and ditzy, etc. Though to be fair, Sherie was mostly despised for not being Idina.

I also wanna give a shoutout to the band who's still doing an amazing job under Boko Suzuki (conductor). Kenny Brescia (awesome, love him to death), Steve Mack, Jeff Potter. I don't know who replaced August Eriksmoen yet, but August was great.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 4:01pm

im losing all hope that this will be good. as great as it would be to have the bulk of the original cast reunite, it should be on the stage of the Nederlander and not on a movie screen.

[Matt_G]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 4:04pm

Why, Yankeefan? What's the harm in doing the film? Seriously this argument comes up EVERY damn time a musical is made on film. How does it hurt the show if the film is made? It just means the musical will have a longer life. Where's the harm in that?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 4:07pm

the members of the cast (especially adam and idina) have expressed interest in NEVER doing rent again, as long as the full original cast is included. i dont see daphne, fredi, or wilson on the list....cough sell outs cough

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 4:07pm

Kris2...I'm glad you mentioned Caren, she's a wonderful talent...the only one who really breathed any life into the show last time I saw it...and she was an understudy.

And Yankeefan, as Matt said...what exacly is the difference? They, hopefull, will be doing equally wonderful in the work, only it will be reaching a much wider audience. If it turns out to be a good mive, what exactly is the harm in that?

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 4:08pm

Kris, a couple of strong performers can not compensate. The creative has let the show become sloppy and worn out and they led that path with their own actions.... look at the cast.. so many of them have been recycled and rehashed it isn't funny.. and they aren't even the standout performers of many of their former companies. It seems like they just don't WANT to go find new people for the cast... and playing onstage 100% out of character is inexcusable... and many of the current cast members are guilty of that... and by the admission of many rentheads, who, I may add, actually think that playing around out of character makes a good show. and energy or not, there has to be talent and spot on performances. Energy can not make up for that.. all they are then is high energy bad performers.

[jmaclover]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 4:09pm

I personally would love to see the original cast again. I don't think they've aged that much. Despite what you say, Idina's voice isn't gone, Anthony Rapp's still out performing, Adam (he sounds like he's straining - but if it's edited....[Not going there])

I would like to see Fredi Walker again - where'd she go? She was so good, I thought ~

I think Matt Caplan is good as Mark - though they would use the full cast or nothing.

However, if they are changing the script, the original cast may not be as good - their interpretations of the roles may not fit the new script.

Personally, I don't care mcuh for Ruben-Vega. She was good in Out Tonight and Light My Candel - after that I....well, I skip her songs!

Any thoughts on who would play Angel. Broadway.com's article said that Angel, Joanne, and Mimi are going to be recasted. Except for Mimi, I wonder why.

Don't underestimate the powers of make-up!

I also agree that they may need to start getting Idina's name out for Wicked - though I think that - well I don't wanna say about Wicked, just yet!

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/26/04 at 4:10pm

"There is a lot of talent in the current cast."

That may be true, but there is very little discipline or direction in what I saw last July. Some cast members were certainly at fault for the delivery of their performances (and deserved to be fined by Equity at the very least), while others I believe just received little to no direction in characterization.

PS - I saw Sherie as Maureen and she was fantastic. Second best Maureen after Idina's memorable performance.