RENT movie costuming

[JHartnow]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 1:45pm

Hey guys,

I don't know if anyone had started a thread about the costumes in the upcoming RENT movie, but I thought I'd start a fresh one.

The costumes are very important to me since I make the Broadway Bear for BC/EFA every year for RENT. I'm excited to see who they'll bring on to adapt Angela Wendt's original feel and design. Has anyone given any thought to the changes that will be made for the on-screen version? The costumes are so recognizable, that it will seem odd not to have them represented in some fashion. We're all so used to seeing knock-off's of Ant's original "FREE PEOPLE" sweater from cast to cast...or Joanne's mud cloth coat. What about Mimi's baby giraffe print boots and Roger's "screaming man" tank top? Do you think they'll go back to Idina's original 1970's look for "OVER THE MOON", or stick with the "WORLD ALIEN LOVE TRANSMISSION" shirt that Maureen wears now? Maybe a TOTALLY fresh look? (BTW...look for Maureen Johnson this February at a Broadway Bears auction near you!). *forgive the shameless plug*

In the initial script it makes reference to Mimi's all-over blue leather body suit for the "Out Tonight" number, Angel's "Santa Claus" drag and there's one point when they mention Mark being in a corduroy jacket for his interview with Alexi (I think that's right...but don't quote me on it). But beyond that, I don't recall any other references to the clothing.

Anyway...I would love to hear what others have to say about the costuming, for the movie and in general.

-John Updated On: 12/2/04 at 01:45 PM

[BEKA531]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 1:51pm

i definitely agree that the costumes are recognizable, and like everything else in the movie, they should stick as close to the original as possible.

[JHartnow]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 2:13pm

Hey Beka,

Well, the costumes from RENT are incredible. Angela Wendt initially went through the original actors wardrobes to bring more of them into the characters they were portraying. Daphne use to wear her blue pants out to movies. Anthony actually went shopping with Angela to buy his Mark sweater. It was incredibly difficult when other casts started taking over, because the costumes had to be replicated. Mimi's "Out Tonight" pants material is imported from Italy...at over $40 a yard. Her baby giraffe print boots are custom fitted with a specially designed heel to "lock" into the bars. Roger's ACT I plaid pants are cut and sewn from ladies trench coats from France (the company wouldn't give "RENT" the rights to use that plaid pattern. There are work-arounds for everything!). And if you look carefully in Angel's shower-curtain dress from Act II, you'll see pictures of the original broadway cast hidden among the homo-erotic and pop-art images. Just a small homage...but a great one at that. No detail is spared...down to Mark's red and blue plaid boxers.

It amazes me how the costumes have changed quite a bit since the inception in '94 at NYTW. If you look carefully through "THE RENT BIBLE", you'll see Idina wearing a god-aweful get-up during LA VIE BOHEME. Notice she's wearing Mimi's "10-6 Check My Frequency" Lanyard. Things to make you go, "hmmmm"...

Oh, and here's a question I'd like to throw out to the rent-heads. During Joanne's 'WE'RE OKAY' dueling phone scene from the show...what do you think Maureen is saying on the other line? We know that the paper plate was going to represent the moon, but what about the Calvin Klein model in Penthouse A? What does Maureen tell Joanne that sets her mind at ease? I'd love to hear other people's thoughts on this one...as silly as it is! Updated On: 12/1/04 at 02:13 PM

[mint0621]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 2:21pm

can we even see Mark's plaid boxers? I wouldn't mind getting a peek. =)

[JHartnow]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 2:31pm

LOL.

Mark's boxers have a (sort of) interesting story. I wish Anthony would chime in on this one (since I know I probably won't get all the details of what he's told me in the past right!). When he portrayed Mark, his version of "La Vie Boheme" was all his own thing. He didn't really rely on tricks or gimicks, albeit funny (like Fatone doing a signature N'Sync move during the "FADS" line). Except for the "CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES" that Ant would occasionally throw in during "CONTACT" (oooh...how I miss that!). Let's face it...Anthony is the real deal, yet I don't discount other artists who have filled his black leather blundstones. When he danced...he would throw his hands above his head...and his boxers were there for all to see peeking out from his grey cords. It was always a part of "LA VIE BOHEME"...and very uniquely Anthony. So...the boxers became an integral part of Mark's costume. Now they're hand-made for every single actor who comes along...just in case he has the urge to do the "Anthony flail" during 'La Vie' and have a little tummy show... Updated On: 12/1/04 at 02:31 PM

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 3:13pm

The long post about the boxers was at once very erotic and very creepy. Sounds like something most people recognize but would just never discuss aloud. I don't think I've seen much tummy among the Marks, though...

[JHartnow]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 3:39pm

Evelyn,

When I was doing research on the costumes for the "Mark Bear" a few years back, I had Dominic Bogart flashing everyone his boxers backstage (he never knew how integral they were to Anthony's portrayal of Mark). He always wore a white t-shirt under his sweater (which is very un-Mark), tucked in so you couldn't see his boxers. He also ditched the glasses towards the end of his run because they "hurt his head".

But anyway...costumers have to deal with everything from sweaty socks to underwear. Now THAT'S Creepy!

[Mimi Imfurst]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 3:55pm

VERY interested indeed. JHARTnow, check you pvts.....

Just how are Mimi's boots built to lock in?

[stacey717]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 3:58pm

"in Angel's shower-curtain dress from Act II, you'll see pictures of the original broadway cast hidden among the homo-erotic and pop-art images. "

Oh. Too. Cool. :)

And about the boxers... It is actually an interesting topic-- The attention to detail paid in costuming is perfect. You can see the boxers in the big Rent book... There's a pic on the page opposite the page where LVB lyrics begin in the book with Anthony mid-word. The boxers are definitely visable (how did I find this you may ask..I was looking, but only because I had seen the Rent bway bear made like Mark a few years back, online, with the description of the costume--and it mentioned the boxers, as well as the ballchain necklace, and said for the boxers just to take their word for it that the bear was wearing them because they couldn't be seen...sure enough I was curious and took a look through the book, checking for both the boxers and the necklace... In fact, the boxers can also be seen on the following page, with more lyrics to LVB, with the five smaller 'in motion' pics if you look.)

I love the Rent costuming:)
EDIT: And Anthony's Mark portrayal (though I've only seen bits here and there, never live)--slightly spastic, but in a good and slgithy obsessive/compulsive detail-ly way (I hope that makes sense to someone other than me!). The motions were ideal--I look forward to a return of some sort in the movie upcoming-- and it definitely seems a bit lost, as far as the original 'use' to the boxers...but the detail is still there..

"He always wore a white t-shirt under his sweater (which is very un-Mark), tucked in so you couldn't see his boxers. He also ditched the glasses towards the end of his run because they "hurt his head"."

Aw....too bad...*Ugh* Just didn't get it I guess...

--I also hope familiars appear at least here and there in the movie... we'll see... Updated On: 12/1/04 at 03:58 PM

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 4:06pm

Dominic was one of the most unique Marks I've ever seen. Not necessarily in a good way, but not a bad way either. I remember a lot of controversy at the time about how he only chose to wear the glasses at certain times during the show, and how they weren't a constant. I think Mark, I think glasses. I guess Dominic didn't agree! But, he also wasn't around too long.

The boxers, too, are a big part of the costume for me, so thanks for sharing that little tidbit! It took me awhile to catch on that they were a specific part of the costume. Once I did though, it was funny to catch the ocassional Calvin Klein label (and yes, I admit to catching it) because really. Mark in Calvins?

[stacey717]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 4:41pm

"Mark in Calvins?"

I completely understand what you mean, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if many of his clothes were designer names in one way or another-- he is from and still has family in Suburbia, a nice Jewish family (I'm currently experiencing a similar situation lol)-- If his mom sends him clothing, or his Grandma even (depending on how old he is and his mom was when she had him, his grandma could send clothes, and if she was like my grandma was, well, he'd have tons of nice clothes, as in name brands, etc, whether he wanted it or not because of the gifts... she was a shopaholic...very much so...)
It is hinted by Roger in the NYTW version of Rent in anger (In the song 'You're a Fool', or whatever it truly is called), " Some of our parents don't pay our bills"

And how *did* you catch a glimpse of the label? Hehe...

For the glasses, I definitely think Mark, think glasses because of the way almost everyone has portrayed him (especially Anthony), but can see how it is possible Mark wouldn't wear them all the time (My eyes are funky, one nearsighhted, one far, so I get lazy and don't always wear my glasses, usually opting not to, but when I put them on, I find it hard to take them off once they are on... I can't read sheet music on the stand without them, but seeing the chalkboard in class isn't even usually a big deal...I'm comfy without them most of the time, but the glasses make everything more sharp, etc...) Updated On: 12/1/04 at 04:41 PM

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 6:30pm

This thread is too hot.

[insomniak]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 7:15pm

This is all very interesting, where did you hear this stuff? I knew about Mimi's pants, but not Roger's. JHart, who are you?

[JHartnow]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 11:12pm

Mimi Imfurst:

Mimi's boots have a special vamp, heel and arch. The arch is molded to the exact curve of the metal poles used on her catwalk. These boots are very expensive to make, so it's fun to watch as they deteriorate throughout the show's progress. I was working on the Mark bear for Broadway Cares when the Collins tour started in Charleston, South Carolina. Krystal Washington's boots were brand-spankin' new...and in perfect condition. But by the end...those things had really taken a battered beating. Holes and all...!! Something else interesting about the footwear in RENT: Did you guys know that Anthony refused to wear more than one pair of Blundstone's during his run as Mark? Anthony is very health conscience...a vegan and very into the lifestyle organic. In any event, because of this and the fact that the Blundstone boots were made of leather...he only had the one pair. They were patched on many occasions, and even went with him to the West End when he left The Neder. He owns his original costume now. Anyone think it should be in the smithsonian?!

Girlfriend:
When did you catch a Calvin Klein label in a pair of Mark boxers? Mark's boxers are completely hand made from a red and blue plaid that is hand picked by the designers in wardrobe. It is possible that he wasn't wearing the signature boxers...they have back-ups for many articles of clothing. I've seen Mimi's back-up boots in leopard print and snake-skin. Some articles change depending on who is playing the character. Maureen's OVER THE MOON shoes change on occasion. All are still over the top and very "Pee Wee Herman", though. Justin Rodriquez's Act I Angel costume was a patent leather dress rather than the green jersey sweater and tennis skirt. And look at Scary Spice's costume right now. Can we say "backwards"? And it's not just RENT. Who here remembers when Toni Braxton played Belle in Beauty and the Beast? Whoa! That was a far cry from Belle's blue village dress...and very sexy for a family show!

Insomniak:
"JHart, who are you?"
Insom, who would you like me to be? LOL. My name is John Henson, and I am a 28 year old graphic designer, children's book writer/illustrator and costumer. I've been involved with RENT for 5 years now. I create the broadway bears from that show for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. If you go to the BCEFA website, you can see all of my RENT bears that I've designed for the past 4 years...plus my Sally Bowles MEIN HEIR and Belle in her blue village dress from BEAUTY AND THE BEAST.

Did anyone ever see the picture of Adam's bear that I made two years ago? Although Adam signed the bears belly...I had Kevin Spencer sign the guitar...since I patterned it after the one that he used in the Collins tour! Just a small way to get the non-equity into an equity function! Boy, am I sneaky or what? Both Adam and Daphne showed up to auction that bad boy off...

Maureen is next (Idina's version), and then Fredi as Joanne for 2006. I've been DYING to do a "Fuzzy bra", "Diva boy" or "Rocket Tease"! And what about Gwen as the Seasons of Love soloist? Those will have to wait until we get all of the main characters out of the way...*sigh*...

Updated On: 12/1/04 at 11:12 PM

[OneBlazeOfGlory]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 11:27pm

Thanks for sharing all this JHart! So many little Rent details thatI didin't even realize I was missing...

'He owns his original costume now. Anyone think it should be in the smithsonian?!'

Hm I think he should be able to keep it, even though I would very much like to see it. What other costumes (if any) are in the museum?

[insomniak]

Posted: 12/1/04 at 11:46pm

Thanks so much, JHart! It's fascinating. Anything else you would like to add? Where did the 10-9 standby ribbon that Mimi wears come from?

These bears.... do you make more than one and have they ever considered selling them to the masses?

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 9:10am

Stacey --- you can see a lot from the lotto seats! Just like Anthony's signature boxers were so easily seen during LVB, such was the case for this cast member who wasn't wearing them.

And JHart, that's probably just what it was. This Mark just wasn't wearing the boxers, and had Calvins on instead.

[JHartnow]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 10:22am

Oneblaze:
Now that I've reread what I wrote, it kind of sounded like I meant Anthony shouldn't own his original costume! Whoops...not what I meant, sorry! I was just signifying the importance of it, along with the rest of the original casts costumes. The Smithsonian houses many original costumes that are important to American History, some on perpetual display. The ruby slippers that Judy Garland wore in "The Wizard of Oz" is such a piece(s).

I do know that Anthony still wants his original plaid coat that he wore in the show. And Adam wants his black leather jacket back. That was his personal jacket when he started the show. There was a lot of hoopla surrounding the jacket that Kevin Spencer wore in the Collins tour, because he thought it was Adam's original. When word got back to The Nederlander, they almost immediately demanded it back. It turned out NOT to be Adam's original...so it's still out there...floating around in "Rent Space" somewhere.

Insomniak:
The "10-93 Check My Frequency...10-6 Busy,Stand-By" lanyard that Mimi wears is there for several reasons. As I mentioned before, it was originally a piece that Maureen wore. It was probably a roll of canvas lanyard that Angela Wendt grabbed while fabric hunting, but since I don't know...that can only be speculation. The embroidered words say much about instability, hostility and a wanton need to be rescued. When the show moved uptown to Broadway, Angela made a few changes. Since Maureen's "Over the Moon" costume was changing so drastically, Angela decided to let Mimi wear the lanyard to let the audience briefly glimpse at her desperation and denial. The lanyard also serves as a battery-pack holster for her head-mic. The casing is usually made from the same material as either her giraffe print boots or her black floral knee-pads.

*Did you guys know that there is a hidden pocket inside the waist band of Mimi's "OUT TONIGHT" hologram pants? This is so she can hide her "stash".*

As far as the bears are concerned, yes, I have made more than one bear a year. Two years ago, I made Adam's bear from RENT, and I also did Susan Egan from Beauty and the Beast. This year I'm working on Idina as Maureen and Anthony from You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown.

There have been talks about mass producing the Broadway Bears. A few years ago they were going to sell them as limited editions on QVC or the Home Shopping Network...I don't remember which, and Carol Channing was going to co-host the show. I don't know what happened to this or if it's still in the works. I'm sure with all of the Broadway Shows being turned into movies these days and the masses of the world being exposed to our unique universe, Broadway Bears may soon be (for better of worse)on a store shelf near you!

"ACT UP, FIGHT AIDS!"

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 10:27am

I'm not sure if it's THE original coat, but I have heard that Andy Meeks, the current non-eq Mark, is using one of Anthony's Mark coats. Which is kind of interesting, given that a. it's Anthony's, and b. it's almost nine years old!

[Staci1818]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 10:50am

JHartnow do you think if they actually did mass produce the bears that they'd do something (i.e. up the price by a few dollars) so it bennifited BC/EFA? I'd bid on a bear, but I think they go a bit out of the price range of a high school student...

[JHartnow]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 1:15pm

Girlfriend:

Anthony only had one coat during his run on Broadway and in the West End. I'm sure he could shed some more light on the reason he wasn't able to keep it. I do know that it was in pretty ratty condition by the time he left the show.

*Trivia Question*
If any of you were lucky enough to see Anthony as Mark, you'll know that he always kept two things in his coat pockets on stage. Do you know what they were?

Staci:
If the Broadway Bears were ever to be mass produced, I'm sure that all, if not a majority, of the profits would be going right back to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. I doubt very seriously that the Broadway Bears will ever go mainstream, though. If they did, I would think they would be much more affordable than the original's. Oh, and just to let you guys know...I don't even own a broadway bear! Isn't it ironic that the things I create are too expensive for me to own?!

[stacey717]

Posted: 12/2/04 at 4:43pm

If any of you were lucky enough to see Anthony as Mark, you'll know that he always kept two things in his coat pockets on stage. Do you know what they were?

Well, I'm dying to know and feel like snooping through the rent book to find things hidden in the pockets, hoping they're peeking out!

Guessing randomly, having never seen him in the show live and not loking through the book yet, I'm guessing a keepsake of somesort (this could be anything--ie, i'm not sure about mystery item one), and I would say a water bottle should be somewhere in a pocket...nice and nearby (they look like nice and big pockets...)--but I don't know if he'd keep it in his pocket or not... I would think that'd be most convenient... (But I'm drawing on no clues at all...randomish speculation...I'm probably overthemoon in off-ness)

"That was (Adam's) personal jacket when he started the show"
That's a kinda funny anecdote actually...I hope he finds it someday...

And Anthony does deserve the coat, as does a museum. I think if I were him I'd want it so much though (because of the meaning behind it, etc)-- I hope he, too, gets the coat back at some point-- and maybe then someday if he wants he can at that time donate it to the museum :) I'm a sentimental persona and give a resounding good luck in the recovery of the coats.. (I can't believe the coat was actually Adam's!)


And I can't wait to see the Charlie Brown bear :) (or the Maureen one!)

I saw some samples at the flea market this year...stunning as always... Updated On: 12/2/04 at 04:43 PM

[JHartnow]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 2:17pm

Stacey:

WOW! You're pretty close!! Anthony did indeed keep a bottle of water in his coat pocket. He also carried with him some kleenex. I don't think I ever saw a dry eye on that stage during the reprise of 'I'll Cover You'...and various other moments during ACT II.

I finished Maureen's 'Over The Moon' shirt last night for the Broadway Bears. I print my own material for scale purposes...so it's more or less an exact replica of the gold/blue stripe job. now on to those extra fabulous jeans!

I hope some people from broadwayworld.com will show up to the auction in February and moo with me when the bear goes onto the auction block!!
-John

[stacey717]

Posted: 12/3/04 at 5:28pm

"He also carried with him some kleenex. "

I shoulda guessed that (hehe)... I had a feeling about the water but wasn't thinking as practical as the water and couldn't figure what to guess for the second item... something like the kleenex...

Well, now I know! Thanks!

And I'm kinda hoping I get to go to the broadway bears auction-- my parents actually had a lot of fun at the flea market and auction this year (the first one they and i have ever gone to and i can't wait even more for next year when my parents realized we should go early--go the night before, see a show and then go to the market the next morning...and i can't wait...)... My parents showed some interest in the bears they saw at the market as a teaser for the auction so maybe they'll have interest to go in what is rapidly approaching now (I can't believe its all going by so quickly!)

Thanks for all this info you've shared! (I love trivia and factoids... now I know what was kept in those two pockets!)

Good luck with the rest of the bear (s)--have fun!
Hope to see you at the auction!

[electrakitty]

Posted: 12/13/05 at 4:53am

I am curious about the fabric used for Angel's tights. I am planning an Angel costume for myself for Dragon Con this year (Yeah, RENT geeks represent!. . .ummm. . .whatever) and I've been unable to find a zebra stripe which is bold enough to make tights out of. Also, lovelovelove the green tights, but how to find anything like them?
EDITED to say that I'm not averse to hand-painting anything, but with the green tights, I'm not even sure how to go about locating a design :$

Updated On: 12/13/05 at 04:53 AM