RENT at Hollywood Bowl (with REVIEWS) — Page 5

This is to all of those who've posted a lot of negativity about the actors, band, venue, the cuts, or whatever..

I just have one thing to say.. It's not you out there, your not singing, acting, dancing in front of a large crowd. It's not your career so why dog the actors and actresses, everything in between the damn point is that Jonathan Larson's message is being put across point blank. I give all involved kudos for even taking the time and effort to put on a production. I'd like to see every one of you get out there in front of thousands and perform.

Updated On: 8/9/10 at 01:16 PM

I don't think Jonathan Larson's message included making "Over the Moon" a comedic tour de force, so we might want to scale back what we think dead people might have wanted.

brdwaybabe4life, clearly you haven't mastered writing in English, so I don't think you should have the right to post on here. Leave that for people who CAN write.

I saw it last night and for me the real standouts were Nicole and Aaron. Nicole made Maureen her own. She was very funny and the girl can sing. Aaron has a gorgeous voice and his acting was very good. I am still trying to figure out if he actually played the National Anthem because his back was to us the whole time.

I thought Vanessa was okay. I did not care at all for her Light My Candle which came off as too childish. Her Out Tonight was not good. The only parts I thought she was okay vocally was on Another Day and Goodbye Love.

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I've only seen clips, but Hudgens should stick to films. No offense to her, but her vocals weren't up to playing Mimi. I liked her in High School Musical, but she can't sing live.
P.s. Don't hate me for liking HSM

The Broadway Doctor does Hollywood Bowl RENT


What Neil Patrick Harris Did WRONG

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@Tarquin
Appreciate your thougts

I agree that within a theater environment (NOT THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL), Nicole would be good in Chicago - maybe even Moulin Rouge. Her "Dancing with the Stars" days should provide the opportunity (just like it does with all the wannabe actors from American Idol). Her days with Pussycat Dolls came in handy in being comfortable in front of a large audience.

It's not Vanessa fault that she wanted (kudos to her) to tried different things. The problem lies with Neil Patric Harris and the Hollywood Bowl management's decision to have audiences suffer through her learning process. If she was brought in to bring some Hollywood "fire power" - mission failed. If the goal was to bring a "larger than life" personality that would compensate for her current acting chops - mission failed.

It is one thing to get over stage fright, tackling harder and more emotional roles while learning how to project in a theater environment in a small theater (i.e. equity waiver 99 seat theaters to 900-1,500 seat venues) and completely another thing to subject 50,000+ people to her learning process over one weekend.

I agree that having her performed in Disney and/or Disney-influenced productions such as Beauty and The Beast (Maybe even Bye Bye Birdie, though she would be compared to Ann-Margaret, if they only saw the film version or Sweet Charity) would probably be best for her career at this time.
Interview with Telly Leung

In re: to LizzyCurry: All I can say is that from where I was sitting on Sat. nite there was clapping and people laughing when Vanessa/Mimi was on her death bed.... i mean deathCHAIR. LOL

The "Broadway Doctor" review was more "New York-style" than most people on the West Coast were used to

They don't read poorly written blogs on the West Coast?

I will say that adding Maureen to Tango Maureen is superfluous (not to mention a direct rip from the movie), but I'd hardly say Maureen's entrance is one of the reasons the show won a Pulitzer.

Updated On: 8/9/10 at 03:00 PM

I dunno. Why did they do Guys and Dolls?

First of all....haters...BACK OFF! Let's focus on what NPH and the so very talented cast did RIGHT! I went to last night's show and it was phenomenal!!! By Sunday night, whatever "kinks" y'all are talking about were gone. Congrats to each and every one of this talented cast. So much has been said about some of the AMAZING standouts, and I agree, so I will take this moment to validate.

Vanessa couldn't have been more perfect, and if you couldn't see her as Mimi...you weren't looking. When she first took the stage, you kinda could feel a snicker from the crowd who had been listening to the blather surrounding her "lackluster" performance Friday. With the courage of a true performer she went on to be one of my favorite parts of the show. She was young, scared, sexy, and STRONG! Clearly she grew, much like ALL theatre shows and casts do, and she did it in three days in front of 54,000 people. I applaud you and this amazing show! WORK!!!

Let's focus on what NPH and the so very talented cast did RIGHT!

Why? It's within the audience's right to discuss what they did and didn't like. I'm not advocating disrespectful commentary, but not all criticism falls into that just because it's negative. Then again, you think Vanessa, who clearly, clearly cannot sing that role live was "perfect," so this is a lost cause. Do you know the definition of "perfect"? Off-key does not fit in there. Regardless of the fact that I totally disagree with your concept of what this character should be, I don't know how you're writing off the simple fact that she sings poorly and off-pitch. I think she is cute and applaud her for taking the risk, but that's only half the battle.

And I'm not a hater. I love this show more than you could know. So I want it to be performed with the talent and the integrity that it deserves.

.... oh, and Maureen's entrance contributing to the Pulitzer? Hahahah. For what it's worth, I know what you were trying to say, but hyperbole much? Wow.

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Updated On: 8/9/10 at 04:24 PM

Telly Leung Interview
http://usasians-articles.tripod.com/telly-leung.html

Calvin Jung Review of Rent
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i4PZLLVjK4