Rent Lottery

My daughter and I tried the lottery last Sunday after the Broadway Flea Market. I would estimate that there were about 100-125 people there. It was our first time trying any Broadway lottery, so I don't know if that is alot of people. We decided to try since we were already in the city and my daughter is a huge Renthead. Luck was with us and she ended up winning. 2nd row center for $20 a piece. Life is good.
On a side note. The last few times we saw Rent we found the performance lacking the usual energy. I am happy to say that is no longer the case. It was our first time seeing Karmine Ehlers (sp?) and she is the best Mimi ever!!! There was an understudy for Cary Shields as Roger and he was phenomenal. His chemistry with Karmine was electric and added much to the show.
Sorry to ramble...good luck at the lottery.

Haha, meagan, so true. :)

sciguy, I agree that Karmine is very good as Mimi. Unfortunately, she's being moved back to a swing position in a couple of weeks and replaced as Mimi. Her last as Mimi will be 10/16.

cathy, of course, no one knows for sure the real reasons but there's been much speculation in the various Rent communities that it's her age. It's not the first time it's happened to Karmine either. Antonique Smith, who was a swing with the Broadway cast for about ten months back in 2002, is being brought in as Mimi.

meagan, that's a story that's been floating around but it really makes no sense. If you look at most of the cast, they don't resemble the film cast at all, and even if they did, why would the producers at the Neder care? Most people who come to see the show have already purchased their tickets, without knowing who the Broadway cast is, let alone what they look like. And most who see the show only see it once so even if they see a cast which doesn't resemble the film cast, why would they care? And if they DID care, it wouldn't matter because chances are they wouldn't return anyway. It just doesn't make any sense as an argument for determining casting. My guess is that Kelly made that comment in an offhand manner to a fan at stagedoor and suddenly it became gospel. Her contract wasn't renewed because they wanted someone else in the role, which is always the reason. Her 'reviews' were mixed right from the start so it wasn't too surprising when her contract wasn't renewed.

Like I said, no one knows for sure. It may be as simple as the fact that they need an experienced swing. It may be that they've realized that Karmine is too old to play Mimi any longer and they want someone who is good, and who knows the role, but who is younger, hence, Antonique. Casting decisions often seem random to fans but I'm sure they have their reasons for making the decisions they do.

Kelly was fired because she is blonde.

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why would she tell people a bold faced lie when she knows how much people talk?

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i know its awhile away but i'll be trying the lottery in Oct. God i hope i get it!

I was at the stage door the night it happened...she came out really upset and started talking to some of the fan girls, I over heard what she said. I don't think she would just lie.

I don't even like her Maureen that much...I'm welcoming the change...but I would never have fired her...she wasn't bad.

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Can you PM about what she said. I'm kinda lost.

I saw Karmine as Mimi almost 3 years ago and she was great!

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I'm not disputing that Kelly may have indeed said that but I can assure you that the reason she wasn't renewed was not simply because she's blonde. Too many actors in Rent have had to change their hair color or length at the behest of TPTB to make that a believable excuse. Cristina Fadale and Maggie Benjamin are two examples of that and there are many others. If the fact that she was blonde was the sole reason they didn't renew her contract, they would have simply made her dye her hair just like they made Cristina and Maggie. They didn't do that. And as I said before, there are numerous other actors who are onstage every night at the Neder who do not bear ANY resemblance to the actors playing their roles in the film, and yet none of those has indicated that they are being asked to leave.

Cary was on a week ago according to cast lists on CB. The show has been shut down since the 29th so they could install a new sound system. Chances are he'll be back on Wednesday when performances resume.

Oasis- that is what I did last night: hit the Rent lotto, lost, walked up to Spelling Bee, and won there. I was walking amongst the rush hour/after work crowds, and I completely made it to Bee with 10 minutes left on their signup. As long as they get through the Rent names fast you should be fine.