Rosario Dawson on playing "Mimi" in "RENT"

[Marquise]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 9:22am

From the recent issue of OUT magazine Rosario Dawson talks about playing "Mimi" in the upcoming film version:

"It's not so much replacing Daphne [Rubin-Vega] - it's taking this role that has been done by so many different people. I wanted to get it right. I didn't want to be the one Mimi who messed it up. People would be like, "I saw it in a back alley in Ohio and that bitch was better!" All these people have resumés that are completely different from me because they have done musical theatre before. The only prerequisite I had to be here was singingin my living room. I didn't have any of the training and I felt really scared.

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 9:48am

In this case, it is about replacing Daphne.
The fact is that 6 of 8 the main original cast members are in the movie.

[almostxfamous]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 10:32am

I think she means it's not about replacing SO many people, since there have been so many Mimis. At least she's not going to try to imitate Daphne.

She'll do fine.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 10:47am

In this case, it is about replacing Daphne.

Not really. This is the film cast. I think we need to think of it as that - as a separate entity, not as some altered reincarnation of the Original Broadway Cast. If you think of it that way, your chances for disappointment grow with every second of that film. It's harder in the sense that the two worlds are truly colliding here, but it would be much more about "replacing" Daphne if she were to be stepping into the stage show with these people. Things are different for the originals, too. Shouldn't we be happy that the director found someone who the originals themselves seem to think very highly of?

It's funny that now I'm arguing *for* the movie, when I used to be against everything about it. Maybe that says something as well.

Updated On: 8/16/05 at 10:47 AM

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 11:10am

I'm not saying whether she'll be good or bad.
I'm just saying by the way the movie was cast, I and some others can't but help feel that she is "replacing" Daphne.
If they had gone with no one from the original RENT cast then it wouldn't feel so much that way.
It's like Taye's there, Idina's there, Wilson's there, Jesse's there, Adam and Anthony are there. Oh, Rosario's there instead of Daphne and Tracie is there instead of Freddie.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 11:16am

Well, I don't think we'll ever know exactly WHY those two are out - if it was their decision not to do it, whether they even wanted to or not, if they were offered the part, etc, etc. I'd like to think that whatever it was, it was a sensical, informed decision.

If you've seen Daphne recently, you'd know that there is NO WAY she could convincingly play Mimi. I love her, but it would just look ridiculous. I saw her a few months ago and she's beautiful, but absolutely does not look like she's in her early 20's anymore - or even close to.

But by this logic, you should have something against every actress to take on the part on stage, in succession after Daphne, no? I mean, she originated that role. She created it as it is now. So, everyone after her is emanating what she's created, and in essence, replacing her. But that's not a problem because they're not performing with the originals like Rosario is? I don't get it.

I just feel like arguments like this are silly, because hey - why not be pleased that you have even six of fifteen? Think of how it could've been, and just be grateful for that you have. Maybe so that everyone would be "replaced" instead of just two, Columbus should've gone with his teenybopper, incapable pop icons.

Trust me, I know how you feel, because I used to be the same way - but I'm just at the point where I think all of this petty nitpicking is kind of... pointless. It's done.

You just can't please 'em all.

Updated On: 8/16/05 at 11:16 AM

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 11:44am

For *this* movie, they cast 6 out 8 and yes I do feel that
there is a difference that is palpable for me.
It is an emotional reaction. I didn't say it was fair. It may
not make sense. It's just how I feel. I want Daphne and Freddie in this movie.

And since you are such a big Adam Pascal fan, imagine your
feelings if he had not been cast for whatever reasons.
Because he is in this movie, you're happy because you get to
see him. For the Daphne fans, we want to see her.

Just because we are getting the movie, doesn't make it wrong
for me to feel that this movie was a missed opportunity to have
the main members of the OBC be put on film so that we can have
it to play in our DVD over and over again.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 11:51am

Well, of course I would be unhappy if he didn't do it. Actually, I was unhappy for a bit when I found out he WAS doing it. I was just unahppy in general. My original feeling, since I wasn't *expecting* Adam to be cast by any measure, was that I just wished they'd take someone who was familiar with the part; at that point, ideally, some talented unknown who had played the part on stage at some point.

Moving on -

Because he is in this movie, you're happy because you get to
see him. For the Daphne fans, we want to see her.

Seriously. Please don't be so elitist; I happen to be a big fan of Daphne's, as well, first of all, and I'm disappointed that she isn't a part of this. And second of all, don't hint that Adam is the only thing I care about in this movie - I'm hardly that shallow. Just because they cast him, that doesn't make everything else perfect, and I'm totally well aware of that. Even when they did, I still had no desire to even rationally discuss the movie. Given said attachment, I understand your frustration, but at least try to see that there's *some* logic behind it. If Daphne had been cast, looking as she does now, there'd be a whole other group of people whining that it didn't look realistic enough.

(FreDI. No E, one D. Sorry, it bugs me.)

Updated On: 8/16/05 at 11:51 AM

[Marquise]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 2:37pm

emcee have i told you i loved you lately?

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 2:42pm

awww, well. And coming from you! Thanks!

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 3:47pm

Love Daphne......Love Rosario......let's spread the love people!!!

I agree with Emcee, that if it was the original cast back for it's 10th reunion and Rosario replaced Daphne, then it would be a little off....but this is the movie. Just be glad that so many of the original cast were even able to come back for the movie. I mean, look back at the history of movie musicals. This is a rariety that we get to have ANY of the OB cast members back.

Ps. I would also like to add that Rosario is one hot mamacita. That is all!!!

[QueenAnne82]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 4:09pm

Only thing... Mimi is supposed to "look like you're sixteen" but be 19. Rosario.... 19? Really?

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 4:12pm

Karmine Alers is pushing 40 and she's one of the best Mimi's to ever grace the Nederlander, in my opinion.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 4:16pm

Wasn't Daphne in her early to mid 20s when RENT first came out? And I think Rosario looks like early 20s as well.

[Marquise]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 5:34pm

"Only thing... Mimi is supposed to "look like you're sixteen" but be 19. Rosario.... 19? Really?

Yes, really. And no offense to Rubin-Vega but Dawson is more easier to believe as looking 16 than Rubin-Vega was when she created the role back in 1996. So again...Yes, really.

[FosseBoi]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 6:47pm

Why has the REAL reason(s) Daphne didnt do the movie not been annoinced!? If they would just say, then I'm SURE the bickering about this whole subject would go down.

[Marquise]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 6:48pm

ONE of the reasons was that she was pregnant when filming was about to begin.
And the only reason there is "bickering" is because some people just refuse to get a clue, grow up and accept the facts.

[Marquise]

Posted: 8/16/05 at 7:18pm

Updated On: 8/16/05 at 07:18 PM

[musicalsFan]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 5:42pm

when did the Rent movie start filming?
from all the publicity, it seemed it was January in SF

DRV gave birth at end of November; photos over at Broadway.com

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/17/05 at 5:51pm

They started rehearsals and recording sessions in California last November, and they began filming in New York City last March - I think.

The REAL reasons won't ever show up because perhaps it isn't any of our business. We're just fans. There's no obligation to share.

Updated On: 8/17/05 at 05:51 PM

[Marquise]

Posted: 8/23/05 at 2:18pm

From Playbill.com. Rosario talks about her role as "Mimi Marquez":

"Playbill.com: Where was the squat you grew up in?

RD: In the East Village. I can't imagine that being something to sing and dance about. When I finally did see it, it was revolutionary. I didn't see it with the original cast. Tracy saw it with the original cast. I was the only one [in the film's cast] who hadn't. Once I had seen it, I was butt-kicking myself for not having seen it with the original people. I heard how fantastic it was and how strong it was—and to have this opportunity all these years later to be with them and perform with them and live out the fantasies I'd had about it. Also, it's the 10-year anniversary for me of having started in the business. Thinking that I was discovered on the stoop of that building and that ended up being the experience I'm tapping into for this film—I never expected that would be something I could source for acting.

It's funny how just when "RENT" was about to make it's debut Off Broadway, 15 year old Rosario Dawson was discovered by filmmaker Larry Clark sitting in the front stoop of her East Village squat. Fast forward 10 years and she's playing a girl from an East Village squat in the film version. Talk about art imitating life. I can't think of anybody else (outside of DRV) who would have a better handle on this role.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/23/05 at 2:22pm

oh, Marquise - you're brave to bring this back.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 8/23/05 at 3:47pm

I hope she's better than her performance in Two Gentlemen of Verona. Her singing was weak, little-to-no-vibrato or sustenation, and often under pitch. I couldn't figure out why she was cast in a show filled with powerhouse voices.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 8/23/05 at 3:48pm

MARQUISE. AVATAR. AHHH.

That concert is one of my most treasured memories.

[theatrebabe]

Posted: 8/23/05 at 4:49pm

when they performed on the today show Rosario looked a lot taller than Adam. i dunno if she was wearin heels or something but...