RENT 7/7/05

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 7/7/05 at 11:53pm

I just got back from seeing RENT for the first time. I have been listening to the OBCR for a few months now. I find it kind of funny that a few months ago I was sure I would never see Rent because I hate loud music. My, how things have changed. I was in the front row because I paired up at the lottery with someone who won. This will be a mini-review/my thoughts.

Karmine Alers (Mimi)~ WOW. She was great! She has a fantastic voice. I was blown away. The one thing I still don't understand is why Mimi goes back to Benny. Can anyone explain that to me?

Matt Caplan (Mark)~ He was very good. He had an interesting way of delivering some of the lines that came as kind of a shock after hearing Anthony for so many months. It was kind of odd that he sometimes didn't open his mouth very much when he sang...

Cary Shields (Roger)~ Also very good. He was a great voice, once he actually lets it out. The first line he sings "I'm writing one great song..." or whatever, sounded so cartoony, I was like "THIS is Roger??!!" ...but it got much better.

Justin Johnson (Angel)~ FABULOUS. I am amazed by anyone who plays this role. His dancing and his voice were great. My only complaint would be that some of his lines were somewhat hard to understand.

Destan Owen (Collins)~ He was also wonderful. He has a beautiful voice and he made me cry.

Kelly Karbacz (Maureen)~ Wow, she has a GREAT voice. Her OTM was quite interesting. It seemed kind of spastic, but I am assuming that's the way it should be. She kind of played the role very 'young,' if that makes sense. She seemed very childish, but she was very good.

Merle Dandridge (Joanne)~ She made me really enjoy Joanne's role. Before, I thought it was the most boring role, but she did a great job of bringing it to life. "Tango: Maureen" was great and very funny.

Everyone else was also great and I really enjoyed the show overall. It didn't pack *quite* the emotional punch I thought it would, but I enjoyed it greatly nonetheless. There were a few mic issues. Frenchie Davis was out and her understudy's mic didn't work for most of SOL, but she got an extra loud applause. Also, the 'stash' that Mimi takes from Roger's pocket was not there, so she had to fake it.

Everyone was really nice at the stagedoor. My camera broke, which was a bummer, but I got lots of autographs. Karmine Alers was SO very nice. I just might get her cd when it come out.

Well, I think that's it. Thanks for reading, and if anyone can answer my question, I would greatly appreciate it.

Updated On: 7/7/05 at 11:53 PM

[timote316]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 12:16am

Nice review, glad you had a good time!

Mimi goes back to Benny because she needed someone to attach to - and Benny was there, ready to cheat on Allison. Plus, she was hurt by Roger, so getting back with Benny would be most hurtful to him, so thats an added bonus for her.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 12:19am

Wow, Benny really IS scum. :-/ Allison ends up dumping him, right? Who's the "little bird" that tells her??

[timote316]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 12:27am

I'd imagine its Collins, but I'm not sure.

Yes, Benny is scum. Yuppie scum, to quote the show. And Allison doesn't really dump him, she forces him to leave the city and come back to Westport - put him on a very short leash.

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 12:33am

But why would Collins tell? That doesn't really make sense to me. He really has nothing to gain from it, because it doesn't stop Benny from messing around with Mimi. Also, when Roger and Mark are wondering about who told Alison, Collins enters and says "Or an angel." *shrug* confusing.

Updated On: 7/8/05 at 12:33 AM

[stagebeauty]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 12:34am

i'm glad you liked matt :)

[timote316]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 12:38am

Hm... 'tis a good question, Elphie. I don't know. Maybe Allison just found out about the affair, hearing a message not meant for her or something.

Or, maybe Roger told her, to get Benny out of their hair (I said Collins because I got confused as to who had the "little bird" line. oops).

Luckily, it doesn't really matter who told Allison lol

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 12:41am

That is true.

[Broadway_Bound_Star]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 12:46am

I'm glad you liked Merle, I LOVE her!

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 12:51am

I thought it was Roger who told Allison about Mimi.

[Me2]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 12:52am

Same here! Merle is amazing!

[One Song Glory]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 8:32am

I'm glad you liked the show. I really want to see it this summer.

[Wax Lion]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 10:29am

Wax Lion would like to point out that it's Angel that tells Alison Grey about Mimi and Benny's affair. If you're confused about the time line, I'll try to explain this. Forgive the long windedness...Wax Lions tend to ramble.

Remember that things start going sour between Benny and his father-in law on Christmas Eve. By New Years, it's so much a mess that he would rather be with his old friends and roomates. It's during the Spring when Roger confronts Mimi about her affair with Benny: "You lost your keys. No, you went for a walk. You had to help your mother. How's Benny? I'm gonna work upstairs tonight...HAPPY SPRING", and Angel doesn't pass until October. So, looking at that span of time from March until October (and Mimi's decline in mind, body and spirit), you have to take into consideration all of the emotionalities that Roger puts up with that lead to his melt-down and departure from town. If you pay close attention to Mimi and Angel, we find out that they are close friends in the opening number "RENT". Mimi (most likely) confides in Angel her darkest secrets, and Angel (most likely) knows what's best for Mimi. And of course, during Mimi's eulogy at Angel's memorial, she states that Angel was her closest friend. So, to sum it all up...Angel is the bomb. She's always looking out for everyone, and is most *definitely* the heart of the show...

Love,
Wax Lion

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 4:51pm

Thanks, Wax Lion! That makes a lot of sense. If possible, could you (or anyone) explain to me WHY Benny has a change of heart (paying for Angel's funeral, etc)? And why does Collins just automatically become friends with him again after Benny offers to pay? He doesn't even question Benny's motives.

[KelRel]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 4:57pm

I think that by offereing to pay for Angel's funeral signifies that Benny forgives and maybe even appreciates what Angel did for him by telling Alison about his affair. Because of his money and in laws he had to turn on his friends, that couldn't have been the happiest of times for Benny. I think that Benny and Collins kind of come to an understanding and realize that through it all friendship is more important than fighting. Benny offers to pay for Mimi's rehab and a doctor for her when she gets sick. Talk about burning bridges with your wife and her family by spending their money on the people they were trying to screw over.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 4:57pm

It's not so much as a change of heart, but more of an enlightenment. He realizes that thease are/were his best friends and he was able to help and he did.

[GirlforTartaglia]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 5:24pm

Woo! Great review! Seeing it this weekend! :)

[Mini_Mimi17]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 7:07pm

Glad you had fun . Yea Karmine and Carry are a good ROger and Mimi together! I also saw it on 7/7/05. It was fun they were all really good!

[zippyjen]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 7:39pm

i am glad you enjoyed it. Sorry i couldn't make it. ANother time though!

[Unknown User]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 7:44pm

I was debating on whether or not to see RENT on my trip up to NYC... I wanted to see the stage version before November 11th rolled around, but I wasn't sure when the right cast would come along. I kind of have high expectations because of the OBC recording.

[Me2]

Posted: 7/8/05 at 9:15pm

I'd say see it when you come up because the cast now is amazing

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 1:42am

Glad you had an enjoyable time.

I certainly hope at least some of this cast is still around during the late fall/Christmas time as I might be going to New York to look at colleges around that time and I'd love to see the current cast live. Anyone know when they're contracted til?

[nodaybut2day2007]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 1:51am

Cary is around until January 20th

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 1:53am

Awsome, thanks!

[ElphieDefiesGravity]

Posted: 7/9/05 at 9:19pm

korenglish~ I would definitely reccommend it! I also had MAJORLY high expectations, and everyone was really quite wonderful. Karmine Alers is AMAZING!!