Rent's Angel vs Angel — Page 2

Did Sean Earl play the role on Broadway?

Cant say that I've seen Wilson, but I've seen others--I hated Andy--EXTREMELY bland except for in Contact...his solo there gave me chills like few other moments in the theater have. Too bad the rest of the performance didnt come anywhere close. I saw Shaun Earl on tour a few years ago & didnt like him. I had heard great things, but his performance simply didnt register with me. I thought the guy that opened the non-eq tour a few years ago was ok, sang well, danced wonderfully. Best Angel, IMO? Pierre Angelo Bayuga from the Benny tour in early 99 (I think). To me, he was perfection. My favorite Maureen (Christina Fadale) and Joanne (Monique Daniels) also come from that tour.

---

I COMPLETELY agree with the person who said that Jesse/Wilson had the BEST C/A chemistry ever to bless the Rent stage. No other couple has ever even come close. If you look at videos of the original cast of the two of them together, and then look at C/A couples from recent casts now on video, you're astounded by how bland and passionless those two are together compared to J/W. Part of me wonders if the actors weren't told to tone it down or something. ICY back in '96 was HOT in so many ways. Now, you're lucky if the two even touch each other at all.

I haven't seen WJH live. I've seen him on boots and was VERY unimpressed, and I've never really liked his voice on the CR. However, since filming began I've begun to have much more faith. I love his mature take on Angel, and the fact that he's sweet and warm. I've seen Angels who REALLY overdid the self-absorbed diva-ness and it really took away from the part. AKA, Jai. He was MUCH better this past summer but the first few times I saw him I couldn't stand him.

Justin is...gah. I absolutely love him. As of now, he's definitely my favorite (I haven't seen the show in almost a year, though, and have no intention of seeing it any time soon), but I agree with whoever it was who said that Andy was STELLAR back in the day and then just...eh by the end. My ideal Angel was Andy pre-2002, and after that Justin. Justin is fun and talented as hell, but I'll be the first to admit that he doesn't have that mature sweetness that Andy or WJH have.

Either way, I have hope for Wilson. I think he'll do pretty darn good. I don't know why, but I just really feel like the right guy was chosen, which was funny b/c when I first heard the news I felt like crying. Oh, and I thought his thighs were perfectly normal looking.

And not to mention that we also have the BEST COLLINS OUT THERE for the movie. Jesse. Gah. MRF who?

I've only seen Andy (in 2000) and Justin (just a few weeks ago). I thought they were both fantastic. I'm excited to see Wilson in the film, I think he will be great.

~Steven

WJH is my #1 favorite. Andy Senor is a close second.

---

"Random, but does anyone else think (from recent RENT pictures) that Wilson's thighs have gotten a BIT to large for the role? He does not look like a dying man, he looks like a track star."

Isn't he a dancer? Technically, he was only cast a few months ago, so there's only so much weight (even muscle mass) you can lose in a short amount of time. I guess when you're Tom Hanks, you get the luxury of an extended filming period, so you have more time to lose weight and look the part of the wasting AIDS victim.

I could never see Wilson Cruz as Angel, he will always be Rickie (MSCL) to me.

I think that part of the reason that WJH was cast in the movie was because of the great chemistry between the entire OBC. I feel like Jesse L. Martin's Collins wouldn't be as good if they pulled some random new-Angel into the movie, because he wouldn't have the same history/chemistry with Angel that made him so great in the role in the first place.

---

His appearance doesn't have anything to do with his singing, no. But it does have an affect on the way his portrayal of the character- he's dying of AIDS. Like I mentioned in my previous post, Tom Hanks had to lose about 30lbs when he was in Philadelphia. While I doubt WJH has 30lbs to lose, in order to accurately portray Angel on screen, he should have a dramatic change in appearance throughout the movie.

---

If seen all the broadway angels and wilson is by far the best. Come on he's the orginal and a tony winner for the role. But i'd have to say jai would be second.

Here are a couple of current pix of Wilson I took that have been well circulated by now. He looks beautiful. :)

---

Tom, I think Jai is pretty, too!

I saw him in the third row of the orchestra. ::sigh:: he looked right at me during "Rent".

I've seen Jai, Andy and Justin and some other guy on the most recent tour. I really liked Jai's Angel, but most of the time he talked in a deep voice; something I don't think Angel would do. I think Jai and Andy are tied for me.

Also, just random, was there a female understudy for Angel on the 2004 tour? I could have sworn that there was, but it may have been one of my freakishly real dreams.

-Grace

GirlfriendFromCanada,

We can't be the only two that remember Justin Rodriguez! He played that role non-stop on the Collins tour for nearly 3 years and hardly ever missed a show! They even redesigned his ACT 1 costume to reflect his attitude. Remember the patent leather dress? Loved it!

He was such a sweetheart. When I was working on the ACT II "Pussy Galore" Angel bear last year for Broadway Cares, he was a huge influence and great help. I'm not sure, but I think his picture is still up on the title page of the RENT TOUR website. I can't access it from work, but I think it might still be there.

I miss him! I'm going to drop mister sister a line RIGHT NOW!

-John

whatyouown223,

Justin Johnston or Justin Rodriguez?

-John

Do see what he's up to! I just can't grasp how no one seems to have heard of him! I remember he was one of the most consistent parts of that non-eq tour early on, and only continued to shine until he left. And you're right, he rarely missed a show, even though I remember him being in less than perfect health quite often. He was just so energetic and wonderful, I miss him.