TGIF's Rent Tour Review

[TGIF]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 6:51pm

Ok, I am back from my trip to Maryland! I had a blast and could not wait to see RENT. Getting down there was bad, it was snowing and sleeting – just weird weather all around. But nothing was going to stop us from seeing the tour.

Sitting in the theatre before the show started, I was looking at the set and was thinking how much it looked like the Broadway show’s set and was impressed. I would say that the cast resemblance to the current Broadway cast was just as impressive but I can’t. The actors on Broadway can’t hold a candle (no pun intended) to this touring cast. They were so energized and brought something that is missing on Broadway. There was not one weak person in that cast. It is so nice to see RENT in a theatre outside the city where the audiences are new and not on their 27th time seeing the show. People laughed when you were supposed to laugh – and because it was funny not just because you know it coming – and cried during the sad parts.

I never know how I want to “review” shows, talking about the actors or go by show numbers so just bare with me. I might jump around a bit. Also, it will be long so I completely understand if you stop reading now!

Dan Rosenbaum as Roger: All I can say is – Broadway watch out for this man. He is such a talented actor and singer. It was nice to see someone who actually looked the part. To me (well from middle balcony) his physique is very similar to Adam’s. The cloths just kind of hung on him, which is what you would expect to see in a former drug addict and now an AIDS patient. He did crack a few times but the rest of his performance made up for it. He played an angry/hurt Roger. It was a nice balance between the two and worked real well. May I also say how nice it was to hear a Roger without a country accent *cough-Jeremy-cough* when he sings – especially in Without You and Glory. Side note: Boy is he tall!

Andy Meeks as Mark: It was such a pleasure to not see Matt Caplan in this role. Andy was excellent in making you feel bad for him, but not in a bad way. I just wanted to give him a hug during Halloween and Goodbye Love. Like I said before, Dan was good at balancing angry and hurt, and Andy was good at balancing lonely and goofy. The goofy-ness was there at the right times (a la – La Vie Boheme and Tango Maureen) but he knew how to work with it and use it to his advantage and leave it when it wasn’t necessary or appropriate. I must say that it was difficult to get used to a brunette Mark, but I did get past it! He had that tone to his voice that was similar to Anthony Rapp’s – not identical by any means but it worked.

Tallia Brinson as Mimi: Wow. I repeat – Wow. Really, I do not understand why Krystal Washington is still Mimi on Broadway, and this girl is on tour. What a set of lungs she has. She has this attitude about her that just captivated you when she was on stage, it was fantastic.

Damien DeShaun Smith as Angel: He was, for lack of a better word, adorable and he really sounded like a woman. He and Marcus had such good chemistry together. Today for You and ICY were both great.

Marcus Paul James as Collins: Great voice. The I’ll Cover You Reprise was so heart-wrenching. The audience was dead silent during that number; you could hear a pin drop.

Ava as Maureen: As a straight woman I still feel the need to say this, that girl is hot. Her Over the Moon was funny, but I felt bad because the echo effect on her mic stopped working after the first one. It looked a bit awkward when she did the robot without the echoing “life” but I am sure for those who aren’t as familiar didn’t miss a thing. It did sound like she was getting sick though. During Take me or Leave Me it sounded like she was holding back so she wouldn’t crack. You could hear how good it was, but it was a shame I couldn’t hear her voice in full form.

Some memorable moments in the show: (I will try to be brief)

Out Tonight: It was so high energy, the audience went wild when the music came on for it and Tallia did not disappoint. She belted her lungs out and was an excellent dancer.

Another Day: Now that was hot. I do not how to describe it otherwise. Maybe someone else who has seen it can explain it a bit better!

Goodbye Love: This was the first time I have seen this song live and really enjoyed it. Every other time it seemed like it was a song that needed to be sung through to get to more “important” numbers. The confrontation between Dan and Andy was unbelievable. Dan threw him across the stage. Andy was crying. Just pack with emotions.

ICY Reprise: Dear Lord. It was moving. Although, it was hard to pay attention because my sister was hysterically crying next to me. *sigh*

La Vie Boheme: I have never saw it with so much energy and was actually laughing out loud.

Does anyone know who sings the beginning of Will I? Because the guy who sang that had such a beautiful voice.

[Type_A_Tiff]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 6:52pm

Since you've got reponses on the other one, maybe this thread should be "Nevermind" so not to confuse people.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 6:53pm

She wanted her current username, though.

Anyway, YAY AGAIN!

[TGIF]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 6:55pm

Yep, wanted this as the thread not the other one! Sorry, its been one of those days.

[zippyjen]

Posted: 12/21/04 at 7:03pm

i really wish i lived outside of ny so i could see the tour for a change. Well maybe not live outside of ny but def need to see the tour!

[camerangel]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 5:49pm

The "Will I" solo is done by Aaron Tviet, and unfortunately Baltimore is his last stop and then he leaves the tour.. I'm glad you enjoyed the show. I was hoping to actually see you there.. I Rushed..

[NightLaughs]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 5:59pm

I saw it last night as well. "Another Day" was packed with heat, you could feel the tension and the emotion, it sizzled off those two. Yow!

La Vie Bohem made me giggle more than it ever has. It helps to not be distracted by everything, and be able to focus on certain things. For the first time I realized Maureen kisses that blonde chick, that must be the reason JoAnne gets mad? It's all making sense...

This cast was amazing. I wanted to tell each and every one of them that because they really moved me.

P.S.- Will I was pure perfection, def. the best soloist I've ever heard.

[camerangel]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:07pm

Considering the mic problems I think Marcus was amazing.. Poor guy.. And yes Maureen kissing the blonde is what makes Joanne kick her out.. Where were you sitting NightLaughs?

[maybethistime]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:14pm

i HATE mic problems... they drive me bloody insane...

[camerangel]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:17pm

Yeah Marcus' (Collins) mic had problems starting at the top of the show.. so he had a handheld in his pocket just in case.. They were all in depserate need of a day off.. But they were phenominal.. They never cease to amaze me.

[insomniak]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:18pm

Everyone has raved about this tour, I can't wait to see it. Glad you had fun and thanks for reviewing, TGIF.

[camerangel]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:20pm

eventually I will get a review done.. probably not till the end of the Baltimore run though.. we shall see..

[citylights]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:30pm

I saw the tour in Boston (in June), and I haven't been keeping up with it...it looks as if there's been a total change in cast. Stupid question: is this the same tour, and if so, are the actors signed for 6 months only?

Does anyone know if LaDonna is still the SOLoist?

[camerangel]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:37pm

The Cast had a major change and started touring in August. They are on contract until March. Yes LaDonna is still the soloist, Marcus is still Collins and Damien is still Angel. Most everyone else changed I believe.

[Bal]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:41pm

Jon-Gordon and the Man aka solo at the beginning of Will I? is both a wonderful and talented person, and I'm glad you liked him.

Yay for Andy Meeks!

Also...Jeremy has a country accent? I find that a trifle amusing, being as he's Canadian. Hee.

[TGIF]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:43pm

This may be a dumb question but I have to ask. In Will I on the OBCR there is a female solo towards the end. How come no one ever does it live? Was it only put in for the CR?

[camerangel]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:47pm

Really there is?? I need to listen to it now... I will see what I can find out and let you know..

[zippyjen]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:50pm

i am pretty sure the solo is only on the cast recording.

[TGIF]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:52pm

It is gorgeous and the part I always sing along to. She goes "Will I loooooose..." ok i have no clue how to describe it, but is great.

EDIT: was it ever done on stage?

Updated On: 12/24/04 at 06:52 PM

[camerangel]

Posted: 12/24/04 at 6:57pm

Ok so I went and listened to the OBC cuz I didn't remember hearing the solo. I now know what you are talking about.. I believe it's there but not so easy to hear on the stage production. I will listen for it tomorrow and let you know if I hear it. I know the guys get really powerful so sometimes if the sound person doesn't have it up you can't hear. liek I said though I will let you know.