Matt Caplan Appreciation or Something Like It- Page 3

[neddyfrank2]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 10:10pm

Thank You...I can tell what you mean, I have seen clips of him, and he didnt (dont kill me) look like a Mark, he looks just very different, and sounds different.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 10:32pm

erinrebecca, I'm sorry, but I have more respect for the actors that are willing to take the risk and leave the safety net of the show. Look at Colin. He's been in Rent for forever, but he decided to leave it for an off-Broadway show. He's probably not making anywhere near as much money now, but he's playing a lead and he's getting much more attention for doing a new show than he ever did for Gordon Replacement #15 in Rent. Even Cary took a risk leaving to do Taboo. Who knows what could have happened with him if Taboo hadn't flopped.

A lot of my issues with this comes from the producers/casting people of Rent and their tendency to just recycle old cast members instead of seeking out new talent. In an interview, Jai Rodriguez referred to Rent as his "waiter job" because he just kept going back there whenever he needed something to pay the bills. They need a Roger to fill in the gaps for a few months, so they call up Will Chase. Destan Owens goes on vacation and they bring back Mark Richard Ford. The amount of returning cast members this past year far outweighs the new cast members they've brought in, and I just find that to be really sad.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 10:37pm

Why exactly is it sad? If you look at any long-running show, you're going to find cast members who have been there for long periods of time or who have left and returned. I don't think the recycling is something that is limited only to Rent. Plus, what's wrong with having reliable people who they know can play the roles well, and who are willing to return, come back to the show? Sure, they're choosing not to take a risk in hiring a new person, but they're also assuring quality because they know that the returning cast member won't disappoint. Even your aboved mentioned Colin has returned to the show numerous times after leaving to do something new.

Most long-running shows would do well with a bit more risk in casting, not just Rent. It's just easier to keep track of with such fanbase that follows casting closely, and a fairly small cast.

[Dramatic_Irony]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 10:46pm

I don't care how often Will Chase and Mark Richard Ford come back. But I do wish there would be more "fresh meat". That's why I'm so excited to see the brand, spanking-new Roger that's coming after Will's run.

MusicAndPassion, I see your point, but Anthony is the only other Mark I have seen. And I've only seen him in the movie and bootleg- I can't help but compare the two. I don't think that changes the fact that Matt's Mark was truly out-of-character, *to me*. And I'm not saying that just because I've gotten used to Anthony's portrayal.

Of course, this is all subjective. But that should go without saying.

Updated On: 1/29/06 at 10:46 PM

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 1/28/06 at 11:37pm

Colin, Cary, etc. left RENT after they had been offered something else. It's not nearly as big of a risk when you have a job lined up. My bet is if Matt had been offered a role that intrigued him he would have left RENT to pursue it.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 1/29/06 at 9:39am

OS, first of all, you don't know what the financial/family situation is with any of those actors unless you know them personally. The ones you mention left the show AFTER they'd auditioned and been offered other roles. Leaving a well-paying job isn't easy for ANYone if they don't have another one to go to.

Cary didn't leave because he got Taboo. He had already been cast in Taboo when he came back that summer for a short fill-in run as Roger. Colin (hasn't actually been in Rent 'forever', just 2 1/2 years, which by Rent standards isn't all that long ) left after he'd gotten his new show. And even HE has left and returned after doing smaller shows!

The issue of 'recycling' is not the same issue as the one involving Matt. He hasn't actually been in that position. When he took a bit of time off when Joey and Drew were there and then returned, it wasn't like he'd been gone from the show because he decided to leave for a period of time. He also was 'around' for periods of both of their runs.

Recycling has happened with Rent in its entire almost ten year run. It's nothing new and I'm not sure why people get so upset about it. The fact is that sometimes when they've brought new people in, they have not been able to fulfill the requirements of the role. It's happened more than once and their contracts were either not renewed or were bought out. I can't see any problem with bringing in an experienced actor to play a role when you know they're going to be able to do a good job. The number of returning castmembers has ALWAYS been higher than the number of new people cast in the show, in any given year. If you think it's bad now, you should have been around when the Canadian, Angel, and Benny tours ended. :)

I especially don't get your example of Will Chase, and complaining about that decision. Will hasn't been in Rent for YEARS, was a swing when he was with the show, and I'd bet that 99% of the fans now, never saw him before. His casting for the month of January was brilliant, in my opinion. He's the best thing to hit the Neder stage as Roger in a long, long time.

[spandex_love]

Posted: 1/29/06 at 1:34pm

Well.. I like his Mark. And I enjoyed him singing OSG as Roger.

However, I'm not going to get in to the whole Matt/Mark subject. Because what I really love is his solo music. Overtones is amazing, his first demo was amazing and he is hilarious. Listening to some of the little ramblings that he does in between songs at gigs are hilarious.

His songs are well written, they have beautiful lyrics that tie in with a wonderful melody. If you don't have his CD, seriously look into it.

Who could not love a guy who wrote a song about a "crazy ninja ballerina girl"?

[Billboard Girl]

Posted: 1/29/06 at 1:38pm

After all of the praise for it in this thread, I'm really going to have to look into getting Matt's CD. While I don't really like his portrayal of Mark, he has a beautiful voice.

[leesh782]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 1:41pm

Six figure salary?

He really makes that much? Damn.

...not even close. at all.

sidenote-- i've seen matt as mark over 50 different times. biased? sure. is he my favorite? absolutely.

aside from matt, i've seen roughly 10 other interpretations of Mark from other actors-- they've all been talented and different (some much better than others)-- but matt always comes out so far above the rest, in my opinion.

someone mentioned before-- he really has set the bar for those who follow him.

best of all though-- is his music. he's insanely talented and i'm so excited to see where he goes. he is certainly on his way. enjoy him while you can because he's going to take off in no time.
Matt on MySpace!

[downtowndiva84]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 5:56pm

OK, first off, like many of you I swoon over Matt Caplan's solo stuff. The boy is SERIOUSLY talented.

I've noticed that there seems to be some overwhelming hatred for Matt Caplan's Mark...particularly on Rentsecrets, which I always swear I'm gonna stop reading but unfortunately is like a bad habit.

I completely understand having a specific idea of a character, but understand that the "by-the-book" Marks people have been referring to are more or less doing Anthony Rapp impersonations. When I picture Mark do I picture Anthony? Guilty as charged. Do I want to see an actor who tries to imitate every nuance of his performance? No, because I don't think there's any comparison. After 10 years on Broadway, I find it refreshing to see a Mark who is a little different from what we've come to expect. He makes that role his. He makes CHOICES. I really respect that.

That being said, he should never have been allowed to go on as Roger. The clips I heard gave me nightmares and have likely scarred me for life.

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 6:20pm

Can we actually turn this thread into a REAL appreciation thread? It has been more Matt bashing that appreciation which is really very unfortunate, cause the boy has some major talent in that body.

i LuV MaTtTtY CaPLaN!!!!!1!!!!one!!!!1

There, now it should fit in with the other appreciation threads.

[faithanytwo]

Posted: 2/14/06 at 8:24pm

I'm going to ditto everyone else who says his solo work is amazing, I adore "Sideways"

[colleen_lee]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 7:47pm

I thought I had heard that Matt was planning on leaving RENT in March. Was I completely on crack or did his plans change?

And no more flames on this thread.

ETA: Nevermind, found out he extended til June but is "definitely" leaving in June (which is what I thought I heard about March).

Updated On: 4/19/06 at 07:47 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 7:53pm

Matt Caplan was a fantastic Mark when I saw him play Mark in 1977.

[Kevinoes]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 7:54pm

He's been in the role for a long time on Broadway. 4 years, and I'm counting Joey Fatone's stint. He's gotten bored and added stuff. I say bad, bad to the stage manager. He's gotta go.

But I do wish him the best. He's so talented.

[Dramatic_Irony]

Posted: 4/19/06 at 8:52pm

Colleen, I believe he has changed his plans. I've heard that he's now leaving sometime in June.

[citrustwist]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 7:42pm

I gotta say, it's going to be STRANGE when Matt finally leaves the show. Since finding out four and a half years ago that Matt would be coming to Broadway after the Bennies closed, I have loved being able to see him as Mark (and a few years back, a sampling of other roles!). I wish him all the best when he does leave!

Though it does make me wonder, who will replace him? After watching that video from Rent 10, and seeing Andy Meeks hop, skip and jump excitedly across the stage, I'm voting for him. He has a real appreciation, enthusiasm and love for the show, as well as portrays Mark quite well, and he would definitely be able to fill the very big shoes.
Updated On: 4/27/06 at 07:42 PM

[Renthead#1]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 7:56pm

I think he is a good Mark but does not have a good personality. Like when all his fans were telling him how good he was doing he basically just ignored them and wanted to ask this girl out.

Updated On: 4/27/06 at 07:56 PM

[thevolleyballer]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 8:04pm

I just don't get it. I saw Matt as Mark a few months ago, and I thought he was FANTASTIC. Awesome, awesome job as Mark. And then I come on the boards and hear about how everyone thinks he's possibly the worst Mark ever? I think he captures Mark perfectly, and is a great, great actor. I didn't see one thing wrong with his Mark, aside from the obvious glasses-shifting.

[sanda]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 8:13pm

I think his Mark is great.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 8:19pm

For the love of God, when will he leave the show? I've seen him twice, and there was really nothing redeemable about his performance. He didn't have a weird interpretation of the role, but a complete and utter LACK of one. He doesn't MAKE any choices; he simply plays around without ever finding a character or a slight grasp on one. And I've never seen someone who so completely neglected actually engaging with his fellow actors. On top of all that, his voice is very much in the back of his throat and/or his nose, and it sounds painful.

The day he leaves is the day I even consider seeing Rent again, unless someone else like Will Chase (who was everything someone in a show like this should be.) came into the show. Yes, I'm bitter because I really think he's a disgrace to the show.
Updated On: 4/27/06 at 08:19 PM

[Katt]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 8:26pm

He's done it for SO long, that he just goes through the motions now. I've heard him on the Benny Tour, and heard reviews of when he was a Benny Swing, and they said that he was so full of life, and passion for the show, that he was just awesome. But the years have gone by, and he's done it so much, that I just don't think he can muster up any enthusiam anymore.

[FabalaYero85]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 8:28pm

Matt IS leaving in June. He gave me and others a date, but also gave a disclaimer saying that it may change, so I will not give that information since it may be false.

Matt is a sweetheart. his Mark is fabulous. I 've seen others, but his always makes me laugh and cry and get amazed. I can't wait to go to a gig of his soon and if you dont like him in Rent, please give his solo stuff a try. he's an amazing singer/songwriter. I'm glad such talent can be on Broadway.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 8:44pm

" I didn't see one thing wrong with his Mark, aside from the obvious glasses-shifting."

lol!

[acrocksyo]

Posted: 4/27/06 at 8:50pm

Yeah I wouldn't say he's a bad Mark, but he has been with the show forever, it's time to let someone else come in and put their own stamp on the character.