Rialto says JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE is in talks to play ROGER in RENT

[Annas_Priest]

Posted: 4/3/10 at 1:19pm

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/RIALTO_CHATTER_Justin_Timberlake_in_Talks_to_Play_Roger_in_RENT_at_Hollywood_Bowl_20100403
Updated On: 4/3/10 at 01:19 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 4/3/10 at 1:21pm

I don't hate that.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/3/10 at 1:23pm

*Timberlake*

[rmusic11322]

Posted: 4/3/10 at 1:32pm

Interesting.

[kellymarie465]

Posted: 4/3/10 at 1:36pm

I've never seen or watched any videos of the shows that took place at the Hollywood Bowl .... so are they in costumes? with the set and everything? Or is it like a concert version of the show?

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/3/10 at 1:37pm

It would be interesting to hear him sing the score. He really doesn't have a "rock" voice but I am sure he can hit the notes.

[roseaddams]

Posted: 4/3/10 at 1:39pm

They're semi-staged. There's no sets, but the actors are in costume and there's blocking and some props. Kinda like the George Hearn/Patti LuPone Sweeney Todd concerts.

Updated On: 4/3/10 at 01:39 PM

[gvendo2005]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 12:33pm

I like Timberlake for Roger. The role is definitely within his range, he just needs to project a grittier side to his voice, and if anyone can get that out of him, Tim Weil can.

Chris Columbus initially had a ton of celebrities in mind for the Rent film that, while more singers than actors, would actually be very ideal for such a concert setting. These ideas included:

Drew Lachey as Mark
Justin Timberlake as Roger (who NPH appears to be looking into, so score one point for him)
Beyonce as Mimi (in 2005, she hadn't yet done a movie musical, and let's face it, she would rock the **** out of this part now)
Jesse L. Martin as Collins (he had the "Law and Order" cachet)
Jai Rodriguez as Angel ("Queer Eye" cachet)
Christina Aguilera as Maureen (Brittany Murphy was also considered, but there's the little problem of pulling a Frankenstein...)
Alicia Keys as Joanne (Frenchie Davis was also considered, but Alicia Keys wins by virtue of name)
Taye Diggs as Benny (he's Taye Diggs, man)

Other names he considered who could easily be slotted into this:

Marc Anthony
Wilson Cruz
Frenchie Davis
Joey Fatone
NPH (has anyone thought he might take Mark himself?)
Audra McDonald
Rikki Lee Travolta

Updated On: 4/4/10 at 12:33 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 12:50pm

"They're semi-staged. There's no sets, but the actors are in costume and there's blocking and some props."

So in other words, an exact copy of the original staging?

[TheatreDiva90016]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 12:56pm

"Rialto says JUSTIN TIMDERLAKE is in talks to play ROGER in RENT"

*head-desk*

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 2:04pm

Oh great, now it's going to be even harder to get tickets.

[kidbroadway2]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 2:09pm

There have been rumors for a while that JT was gonna make his next album a rock/popish album. Doing a rock musical makes sense I guess to show a change in image and direction.

[roseaddams]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 2:36pm

"'They're semi-staged. There's no sets, but the actors are in costume and there's blocking and some props.'

So in other words, an exact copy of the original staging?"

LOL! In RENT's case, yes. Les Miserables not so much.

[PiraguaGuy2]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 2:42pm

Can he play guitar?

I just don't see this. He's a bit too pretty-boy.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 2:45pm

Can he play guitar?

That hasn't stopped several other Rogers in the past.

[aasjb4ever]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 2:45pm

meh.

[singalongsong2]

Posted: 4/4/10 at 3:03pm

This sounds interesting.

Can he play guitar?

Yes, Justin can play guitar. I'm not sure how well he can play, but he can play his own songs on guitar and piano. :)