Mark Cohen and Seymour

[Kristin2]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 12:40am

It's probably been brought up (I'm new here) but I find it funny that those who play Mark Cohen often go on to play Seymour (Little Shop) and vice versa. I only know of Anthony Rapp, Joey Fatone, and Andy Meeks. I guess the parts require similar vocal stylings. Have there been any more?

[Kris2]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 12:46am

Jim Poulos was Mark on Broadway in Rent and is currently understudying Anthony in LSOH. Also, the Mark in the German cast of Rent, Alex Melcher, played Seymour in a German production of LSOH. Those are the only others I can think of at the moment. *ETA: And welcome =D Updated On: 1/14/05 at 12:46 AM

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 12:51am

currently?

[Kristin2]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 12:53am

Thank you for the welcome! And not currently, just in general.

[Kris2]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 12:59am

Oh, my bad. I forgot Anthony's not with LSOH anymore. Jim is currently understudying Jonathan Rayson's Seymour on the tour. He also understudies the part of Orin.

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 1:45am

Speaking of Jim Poulos, he was good as Seymour. But I couldn't imagine him playing Orin. Has anyone seen him in that role?

[Kris2]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 1:55am

I have no idea. But did you see James Moye as Orin? How was he? I found him pretty forgettable as Bobby in Urinetown. Fine singing, but in need of a stage presence and some personality. I saw him in Bryant Park a year or so before that when he was with The Full Monty and liked him much better doing "Big Ass Rock" and "Man." It felt more like his type of role.

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 2:05am

Yeah, I saw him twice. I personally really enjoyed him. He didn't quite have the energy that Doug Sills brought to the role, but he was very funny---he had my sister in stitches, she was laughing so hard---and also seemed to switch really seamlessly between the various characters. I've read less-than-glowing reviews of him, but I don't know...comparing his performance at the beginning of the tour to when I saw him (in November) I thought there was a huge difference in the caliber of his performance, for the better.

[Delphine]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 2:07am

Scott Hunt was Mark on the Benny Tour and the understudy Mark on Broadway, and also played Seymour somewhere (I forget)...

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 12:42pm

Hah,

I have played Seymour, and when me and my friends went to see RENT they all turned to me after the show and told me I WAS Mark Cohen. Hah...I have SOOOO much in common with that character it is ridiculous. And luckily the role is in my range so who knows, maybe in a few years I'll have played him.

Akiva

[JoshuaEads]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 3:41pm

Akiva,

Same exact situation here. I've played Seymour a few times before and when most "theatre people" meet me they look me over and say "Mark Cohen".

~Joshua

[ProducersFan]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 6:46pm

This thread is making me laugh! When I saw the Rent tour, I kept thinking to myself "I could so see Hunter Foster playing Mark." It's that same kind of "geeky-ness" - could you call it that? I hope you all know what I mean... So there's another Seymour that I would like to nominate to play Mark.

~Jessica

[MatureDignity]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 7:16pm

I remember Hunter said in an interview that he really wanted to be in RENT and had auditioned for one of the tours. It'd be interesting to see him do something more dramatic.

I'm seeing the LSOH tour in a few months. I'm looking forward to seeing Jonathan Rayson, but Jim Poulos was my first Mark and I'd like to see him perform again!

Along the same subject-- a lot of Rogers have played Radames.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 7:20pm

"Along the same subject-- a lot of Rogers have played Radames."

And Maureen/Amneris, though not as many.
There was a LOT of RENT alumni crossover to AIDA.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 1/14/05 at 9:46pm

"Along the same subject-- a lot of Rogers have played Radames"

Adam and Richard, as well as Will and Jeremy (neither of whom was just Roger, though). Anyone else?

[broadwaystar2b]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 12:50am

"And Maureen/Amneris, though not as many."
*Nods*
Sherie and Idina
and Simone was also in the Rent OBC
Jeremy IS Roger right now isn't he? Updated On: 1/15/05 at 12:50 AM

[Sargar]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 1:11am

yes, yes he is

[Kris2]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 1:48am

Jeremy was fulltime Roger on the Benny Tour of Rent and currently on Broadway. His last show is coming up this Monday.

Crossovers are fun. A lot of it is because of Telsey Casting. Off the top of my head:
Roger/Radames - Other than the four you mentioned, Ryan Link (fulltime Roger and standby Radames on tour).
Mimi or Joanne/Aida - Simone, Saycon Sengbloh, Maya Days, Merle Dandridge, Schele Williams, Karmine Alers

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 1/15/05 at 9:51am

My comment about them being 'just' Roger is that they were swings who also covered Mark. I'm well aware that Jeremy is Roger, I saw him for the first time seven years ago in Rent! One Rent crossover everyone has forgotten, and an important one at that, is Damian Perkins, the first (and best, IMO) Mereb. :)