Rent Tour (Chicago) Oh My!- Page 2

Posted: 4/7/06 at 4:41pm

Some of the cast is great, some are not.

Arianda and Ano, I believe, are the weakest members. Neither can sing.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 4:41pm

Joe, at least they did not include it as part of the season package. I am embarrassed for the former Marriott chief. I love this part of the ST review:

Unfortunately, the faithful aren't aware they're being fleeced by the show's faith-healer producers, who are charging top ticket prices for what amounts to watered-down snake oil.

Some of the performances are comical!

[lesmisforever]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 4:56pm

Really? I heard that Bryce (I think it's Ryness or something like that) is awesome as Roger. I'm going to see the broadway cast in May when I go to NY, so hopefully it'll be better.

Posted: 4/7/06 at 5:00pm

I haven't been following the tour intently, but from what I've read, most people seem to enjoy Jed's Mark and dislike the actress playing Mimi. Reactions to Bryce have been seemingly mixed.

[lesmisforever]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 5:06pm

Thanks for telling me! I was going to see this tour but then my sister and I decided to go see it in NY instead.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 5:36pm

The non-equity tour of 42nd Street came to chicago. So I think BiC can have non-equity tours.

Posted: 4/7/06 at 6:08pm

Yeah Jai I checked out the history and saw a couple. I still think it's deceptive. And I've seen lots of local shows that are non-Eq in various small theatres....my outrage is passing off a non equity tour as the "Broadway tour" and charging top prices. Ridiculous. I recall the outrage over the "Oliver" tour that played Rosemont (I think) and similar complaints of non- professional behaviour.

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 6:21pm

Ok, people, things are a little crazy on this thread. Everyone is entitled to their opinions about the show and the tour and the actors. But, please, those of you who haven't seen the show yet, don't let someone else's opinion influence whether or not you see the show yourself. I've seen every Rent tour, more than once, Equity and non-Equity, and I've seen it on Broadway a few times a year since the show opened. I've seen the Canadian cast and the original London production. This tour has a group of VERY young actors. There are a couple of decidedly weak links, I admit, but for the most part, they are an extremely talented group of kids.

Highlights are definitely Jed Resnick as Mark, Tracy McDowell as Maureen, and Chante Frierson as Joanne. Bryce Ryness is a good Roger, vocally powerful, and most people I know who have seen him have enjoyed his performance. Warren Nolan as Collins has a gorgeous voice and his portrayal is very similar to Mark Richard Ford's, for those of you who have seen him. I loved Nina Metrick's Mark's mom, she has probably the most gorgeous voice I've ever heard in this role. Aswad, who is a veteran of the Rent tour, is a fan favorite as the soloist. The other standout, who I truly adored on this tour, was Ben Roseberry as Steve. His WI solo is one of the best I've ever heard in ten years of seeing Rent. Most complaints seem to have been with Arianda and Ano. I CAN say, though, that although I didn't particularly enjoy THEIR performances when I saw the tour, it certainly did not ruin the shows for me. I loved others in the cast, a couple of whom are now near the top of my list of favorites(and my list is LONG! I've seen hundreds of actors in this show).

As for the tour being non-Equity, this is nothing new. It's been non-Eq since 2001 and this fact should not deter anyone from seeing the show. The fact is that many Rent castmembers over the years were non-Eq until they were cast in Rent. It's a show which has often been the first professional show for its castmembers, including most who end up in the Broadway cast. So keep that in mind when you're deciding whether or not that's a reason to stay away from this tour.

Joe, I'm curious what prices they're charging in Chicago because in every other city so far, the prices have been much less for this tour than they would be for an Equity tour. It's usually the venue which sets the ticket prices, too, so your beef should probably be with the theatre and not the tour itself on that count. I can't comment on the sound and lights but I CAN tell you that the understudies are very well rehearsed and are currently in a rotation schedule where each week a different swing is featured in one or more of the roles which they cover.

Anyway, I guess my point is, go see the show and see what you think yourself. I truly haven't spoken to many people (or seen reviews on places like CB or livejournal) which have been negative.

[chinkie azn jai]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 6:28pm

Is this the Oliver You're talking about Joe? 'Cause it did play in a BiC house. http://broadwayinchicago.com/shows_dyn.php?cmd=display_archival&display_showtag=oliver&year=2004

[MarkCohen]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 7:24pm

Last years non-eq tour was absolutely fantastic, with only one minor weak-link. I heard almost nothing bad about them, so please don't judge the show because it is non-eq.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 7:38pm

I paid full price for my tickets and I thought it was worth it. Just because it's non-eq doesn't mean it's bad, those are future broadway stars you're dissing!

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 7:46pm

omg! i lyke totally wanna c rent because i am a total rent head i know eveyrthing bout rent here is 2 no. omg is india henzel in it? i luvvv her.!

dklaow4850-

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 7:53pm

"omg! i lyke totally wanna c rent because i am a total rent head i know eveyrthing bout rent here is 2 no. omg is india henzel in it? i luvvv her.!

dklaow4850-"


You're an idiot...

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 7:55pm

Okay my joke wasnt funny...I was reflecting on a past thread that was comprised of users being sarcastic to a person who asked about Rent's current broadway cast.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 7:56pm

I was part of that thread so I know, but this was not an appropriate thread to bring it back up.

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 7:58pm

But, please, those of you who haven't seen the show yet, don't let someone else's opinion influence whether or not you see the show yourself.

Erin, I agree with you. Newbies and others may enjoy the show.

My main point is addressed to the producer who worked with Chicago's Equity actors with great success for decades. I was very surprised and a non-union show would play the Palace.

Some of the stuff on that stage was sophomoric and unworthy of the wonderful material that I have enjoyed for a decade.

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 7:58pm

I'm sorry and I mean it...I am not being sarcastic...I just get flamed too much on this thing. Hah.

Posted: 4/7/06 at 8:02pm

Well I know most of this talk has been about Chicago, but I'm going to see Rent in Baltimore in December, does anyone think there might be any cast changes by then? Well regardless of what anyone has said about the actors, I'm still going to it, I just hope they can live up to the Broadway cast I got to see last year.

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 8:03pm

But I do think that you shouldn't be going around calling people an idiot. I mean everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I don't thin people should bash it. I think that if someone doesn't know much about, or is uneducated in theatre, that we should help them, and not treat them like juvenile delenquints (sp?). I know this is not the place to post this, but does anyone else agree with me, or feel like they have been a victim on this website?

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 8:23pm

I said you were an idiot because it was obvious you were making fun of people who like Rent.

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 8:24pm

I dont have anything against them or the show. I like the show.....hated the movie....but love the show itself.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 8:31pm

"you shouldn't be going around calling people an idiot. I mean everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I don't thin people should bash it. I think that if someone doesn't know much about, or is uneducated in theatre, that we should help them, and not treat them like juvenile delenquints"

I was referring to this post where you acted as if you were some kind of new person to broadway and said that I shouldn't have called you an idiot.

That wasn't your opinion so stop acting as if your some poor helpless victim. Updated On: 4/7/06 at 08:31 PM

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 8:36pm

I'm not but I am speaking for others. Look I really do not care. Just get back on to your Rent speaking.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 8:37pm

The thing is I called you an idiot, no one else!

Anyways, yes this is off-topic.

[Fabrizio2]

Posted: 4/7/06 at 8:40pm

Look! don't worry about it! I don't care! It's no big deal.