RENT: Filmed on Bway - Eden Espinosa Adlib?

[threetwoone]

Posted: 7/31/11 at 11:03pm

Could anyone explain to me Eden's adlib during 'Goodbye Love' ?

It's during the first part of the song when Will sings "GAVE A MILE TO WHO?" she says "Don't you dare come at me today!"

This line isn't on the OBCR, in the movie OST, or when I saw it live either time on tour. Not to mention other places I've seen the song performed. Anyone have any insight for me?

EDIT: Am I allowed to post this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1_vr-cvVjM&feature=player_detailpage#t=158s Updated On: 7/31/11 at 11:03 PM

[eatlasagna]

Posted: 7/31/11 at 11:22pm

i just thought it was her saying don't you dare pick a fight with me today because we're at a funeral... i don't think there's too much to read into that adlib

[wickedpurple]

Posted: 8/1/11 at 12:05am

Yeah I agree with eatlasagna, it's just her telling Joanne to back off. I love that ad-lib though, that whole scene is just so powerful and full of emotion.
I've watched it way too many times.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 8/1/11 at 12:26am

Yeah, that seems pretty cut and dry to me.

[threetwoone]

Posted: 8/1/11 at 1:14am

Oh no I completely understand the line, I was more wondering why she was allowed to adlib? Isn't it kind of rare for an actor/actress to add lines to a scene? It wasn't exactly under her breath. Especially considering it was a filmed performance. I don't know, the whole thing strikes me as odd, but I guess I'm the only one!

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 8/1/11 at 1:58am

It depends on the Director/Creative Team/Stage manager or who ever is left in charge after the original director leaves. For most, as long as its not interfering with the plot/scene at that point and not over the top and fits with the scene and is not upstaging the actual lines...then they can get away with it...esp. in a powerful scene like that where an actor can get swept up in it.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/1/11 at 2:12am

Wow, this kind of makes me think twice about my negative reaction to that one lady at that one college who changed the ending and made Mimi die. I mean, if Brooklyn was allowed to just alter the text like that, anything (apparently) goes.

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 8/1/11 at 8:59am

^ Snarker.

In my opinion, minor ad-libs are appropriate to get the actor where they need to be, as long as they don't turn into major modifications of the text. To me, it's how you know they're actually in the zone and playing a character, not following Track 21 (see Making It on Broadway).

[darquegk]

Posted: 8/1/11 at 11:20am

As far as I can remember, the term for that kind of ad lib is "chatter," a line not intended as a focal point for the moment, but merely to provide sonic proof that the characters are reacting realistically to hat goes on around them.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 8/1/11 at 11:36am

Like in "Contact" when Angel whispers "peas and carrots, peas and carrots, I LOVE YOU!"