Tamayra Gray/RENT/Last night — Page 2

Haven Burton has given the most consistently good performances as Maureen I've seen- Idina included

I haven't seen her, but I've seen some great performers as 'Maureen' over the years (Maggie Benjamin comes to mind.) What I haven't liked since Idina, however, is "Over The Moon". I loved how it was so simple - almost mesmerizing - and she wasn't *trying* to be funny. She took herself so serious, and that's what was so funny about the piece. Not long after Idina, it's like they didn't trust the material - and had to hit the audience over the head with humor. It's *way* too over-the-top, and some of it is just plain silly. While I still laugh, it's not for the reasons it used to be.

So basically, Becky, I agree with everything you said -- I just don't think that Maggie gets that at all, and her Over the Moon is probably the most over-the-top I've seen.

I agree that Maggie was another "over-the-top" Maureen. I think most (if not all) of them have been since '97. I know "Over The Moon" has been directed that way for a long time, and I disagree with that choice. Just out of the 2nd generation (and on) Maureens, I did like Maggie - in spite of the way the character has transitioned over the years.

I don't think anyone has played her the way I truly liked since Idina - even though there are ladies I enjoyed.

Updated On: 5/30/07 at 10:47 PM

orange, "most" as in ANY Maureen I've seen or heard on any medium Menzel's work 10 years ago excepting (her Rent 10 and film performances...eh). None of them got it.

I agree with what's been said; the role is not only suffering from actresses who probably don't get the role in the first place, but the way the role is being directed as of late is absurd, over-the-top, hit the audience over the head kind of humor. What was so great about Idina in the role is that she never once tried to make anyone in the audience laugh; she just believed everything the character was saying, which is so much more funny and so much more the character than TRYING to make us laugh. I don't want to sit through Rent in which there are caricatures on stage.

The other misguided direction that makes me want to hit things is that little fight between Maureen and Joanne towards the end that is now being played for laughs, when it was once a sweet reminder that Maureen *gasp* actually has a heart. Wow, character arc. What a concept.

Anyway, back to Tamarya, this girl here is excited to see her. If anything, I get the impression from watching her on Idol a few years ago, that she's genuine. Which is more than can be said for a lot of people who are cast in this show!

Updated On: 5/30/07 at 11:08 PM

orange, "most" as in ANY Maureen I've seen or heard on any medium Menzel's work 10 years ago excepting (her Rent 10 and film performances...eh). None of them got it.

Not that you have any sort of bias that would prevent you from being able to make a legitimate critique, of course.

Does anyone know when Christopher Hanke is supposed to leave? He's supposed to go on vacation in July and they're bringing Caplan back, but his last show is before the vacation, right?

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A critique is not "legitimate" if you're incapable of admitting any anyone in the entire history of Broadway could possibly be better than Idina, which is something you've more than proven in the past.

And just because I don't hate every actor post-OBC (even all the actors I haven't seen) doesn't mean I'm jumping for joy as Drew Lachey and Scary Spice piss on Jonathan Larson's grave. It would behoove you to learn the about that big gray area in between, because it's much more realistic (and healthy) than the mindset you're stuck in.

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I'm not sure why I even respond to you sometimes, orange. All you've ever done is project your own warped ideas of what you THINK about me or my opinions, like your last statement. (It's quite similar to the obnoxious way you respond to nearly everyone on this board, but I digress) Where do you even get this? Where have I EVER claimed that Menzel is the best "in entire history of Broadway?" She is my favorite performer, but I have many, many times talked about her flaws and what I think she could do better, and *gasp* even those who are better than her!

Every time I make any comment on Rent, you, like a child, make some attack about how I'm somehow not a real fan of the show, as if you're desperate to prove that you love it more. In fact, I remember you making a moronic statement about me being a "fair weather fan" as if the show were a baseball team, not a work of art that, like any sort of script or libretto, can turn into something quite bad in the hands of the wrong actors, directors, producers, etc. I'm sorry I have standards and think the show is worthy of so much more than the buffoonery that happens too often at the Nederlander. I'm sure Larson would have loved it that actors--and apparently even his director--don't trust his material. I guess it's really a negative thing that I think it's worthy of being trusted.

Keep projecting your delusions. You can go on believing I only like Rent because of the original cast, though I'm no fan of any of the original cast members outside Rent save Menzel and Rubin-Vega. And keep pretending they were the only people I liked in their respective roles, though I have favorites and a few that I enjoyed that I saw after they left.

And when you grow up, maybe then we can have a mature conversation about the show.

Updated On: 5/31/07 at 01:24 AM

BroadwayGirl, I don't need to make things up considering your entire posting history is evidence enough. You said just in this thread Idina has been the only good Maureen in 10 years of Rent (even the ones you haven't seen, which you said in another thread).

Speaking of which, why DO you respond to me? You're the one that turned this into an argument. I made a comment about the characterization of Maureen and you jumped into disagree and insult "most" of the dozen-plus actresses to play Maureen. Don't claim I attack every comment you make about Rent to be the "Biggest Renthead" when you're the one that brought up the whole contest in the first place. My posts *were* about Maureen's characterization until you turned it into yet another Idina > everyone discussion. God help us if someone remind you of the biases you want to pretend don't exist. I'll have that mature discussion with you when you finally admit to them.

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Does anyone know when Christopher Hanke is supposed to leave? He's supposed to go on vacation in July and they're bringing Caplan back, but his last show is before the vacation, right?

Chris already took his vacation, Caplan has come and gone, and he hasn't really said when he was leaving, but it doesn't really make sense for him to leave before Anthony comes in.

Annnd, this argument is done.

Arguments always end when one person says this.

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http://www.compulsivebowlers.org/boards/viewtopic.php?p=82824#82824

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TO or TOO? Pick one!

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alright Tamyra is very skinny but lets face it Mimi is a drug addict with AIDS she really shouldn't be curvacious. And I actually like the hair, and it's sad that people have to find stupid things like that to say just to be jerks.

She is not too skinny! When you're on the drugs that Mimi's on they make you look emaciated.

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