Rent -- Additions to Script

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 10:19am

I recently saw Rent on Broadway with a friend from out of town. I hadn't seen the show in about a year and a half, but I swear a lot of the dialogue and staging were different from when I saw it back on Broadway in August of 2004. A couple of examples:

A larger amount of dialogue in general, often to get more laughs from the audience. The scene before the I'll Cover You reprise was longer, as were the non-singing parts of La Vie Boheme.

The entire cast singing in songs they weren't in before. (Everyone sang the end of Rent like in the movie.)

There was a lot more jumping around the stage by everyone, especially Benny. A cast member was on every piece of the set moving around all the time. I only remember Angel doing this.

Am I totally just not remembering things right? I really don't think I am. Perhaps I was distracted by the non-traditional Roger (Tim Howar) who I took some time to warm up to or because Mimi (Karmine Alers) seemed to be struggling in her role.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 11:23am

You're not remembering correctly. The show/dialogue/blocking have not changed.

[Katt]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 12:38pm

The entire cast has always sang Rent. Nothing has changed.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 1:04pm

Karmine Alers strugging as Mimi? I somehow doubt that.

[SirLiir]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 3:42pm

Well, performers do have their off nights. Karmine also has been with the show for too long to struggle.

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 5:26pm

Hmmm. I swear to God things were different. Oh well. :)

And Karmine was definitely struggling, poor thing. Out Tonight felt long for the first time.

I also felt bad for Justin Johnson because he had so much choreography that he couldn't make through to the end of Today 4 U or I'll Cover You. He literally was out of breath and you couldn't hear much of anything.

[dancingthrulife04]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 5:34pm

There were no additions to the script.

What do you mean by 'struggling'?

[willact4food]

Posted: 3/27/06 at 5:36pm

Wow,
you must of saw the cast on an off night.

When I saw Karmine, she was spectacular.

Justin had lots of energy, yes, but never seemed to run out of breath.

And no, no changed have happened.

--Brandon