The New Mimi Is...

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:25am

Antonique Smith. I don't think this has been posted. Someone on the Rent LJ community emailed Antonique and asked when her album would be released, and apparently not for a while, because she said she would be returning to Rent fulltime. Interesting, she's the postergirl Mimi...this definitley conforms with the movie.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:30am

I've heard she's GREAT.

[Patronus]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:36am

Did she mention when she is taking over?

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:37am

Well Karmine returns to swing position on October 15th or 16th, so I would imagine right after that.

[Patronus]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:42am

Ah, okay.

Hmm, this is melancholy news. I was really looking forward to seeing Karmine in November, but I've heard great things about Antonique.

Maybe I'll get lucky and Karmine will be on as Maureen. :)

[tmz814]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:45am

I can't understand why actors continue to stay with RENT when they are moved from lead to swing then back to lead, then back to swing again. Can they not find other jobs, or do they really like being with the show that much? Don't get me wrong, I love RENT. I just can't udnerstand why Karmine and Matt seem to stay with the show when they are shifted around from Lead to swing all the time.

editted to add: I am actually excited to see Antonique. I haven't seen her in the show before, but have heard good things.

Updated On: 9/11/05 at 12:45 AM

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:46am

Well...I'm sure Karmine needs a job. They forced her back down to swing, probably having something to do with her appearance and the movie coming out. I don't know. Maybe they need her as a swing.

[Ebonic_Singer]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:57am

What about her appearance?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 1:04am

There's a theory among some fans that they're trying to cast the principals in Rent that have the same type of appearance as the actors in the movie, so that people checking out Rent on Broadway after seeing the movie won't get confused.

[Marquise]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 2:07am

does this mean that all future "Mimis" will have to resemble Rosario Dawson?

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 2:45am

They've already done the ignorant job of casting the same types as the original cast..can't they just cast a black Roger for once...and a White Collins...gah...mr. Larson muct be rolling in his grave.

Akiva

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 9:29am

She was also one of the few people seriously considered for the film. She's supposed to be terrific as Mimi.

[WickedGeek28]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 9:36am

I agree, Roger should be black and Collins white, roles should be given to great performers, not the race of people. But, lets not ruin this thread and discuss this, I think there was a thread on it a while back.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 9:39am

"Rogers should be black and Collins should be white." Why? Just to shake things up? I agree that the roles should go to whoever is best, and most of the roles in RENT aren't truly race specific, but I shudder to think of the people who will start counting colored heads if Joanne were suddenly white, or Mark hispanic.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 10:05am

those were just examples..what I mean is one of the whole thing was how race just wasn't a big deal with this show...except that the show has been cast with the same races over and over again. They should just cast based on who is right for the role acting and voice-wise...and ignore any colour.

Akiva

[zippyjen]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 10:26am

back ontopic, antonique was my first mimi and so i am very excited to see her again! oh lala both cary and antonique are on the poster! i just realizeD! give me a break i just woke up.

[TabooWickedFan]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 10:34am

antonique is a great Mimi and I am really happy for her that she gets to do the role full time. Though Karmine will always be my favorite.

[Patronus]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 11:26am

They should just cast based on who is right for the role acting and voice-wise...and ignore any colour

Who is to say that they haven't been doing that though. The lack of a black Roger or a white Collins over the years doesn't mean that they aren't casting who is right acting and voice wise.

Laura Dias, who is known for reasons I'll never understand as Maya Days, covered Joanne in the Benny Tour. Yassmin Alers and Karmine Alers have both covered Maureen. Angel had has been covered by black, latino, white, asian and filipino actors. Mimi has been played by both black and latin actresses.

And so this isn't a TOTAL off topic curve after it was just brilliantly put back on topic: I am looking forward to seeing Antonique as Mimi.

Updated On: 9/11/05 at 11:26 AM

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 11:28am

Of all the Mimis I have seen, Antonique probably has the best look (aside from Jamie Lee Kirchner, who apparently was also in the running for getting the role on Broadway recently, as well as the movie). She's not among my favorites, but I also saw her fairly early into her run as a swing. I liked her Maureen a lot better. But I think she'll rock.

[NightLaughs]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:05pm

YAY!

I saw Antonique years ago, when she was a swing, for Maureen and I adored her. It was my first show, she was my favorite, I made an ass of myself and got a picture with her- she was very nice. There's always been a soft spot in my heart for the first cast members I saw.

So does resemble Rosario, which makes sense. She's talented and I look forward to seeing her as Mimi.

[Patronus]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:23pm

Could you post that picture? I'd like to see her on something other than the tacky new Rent window card.

[Jwei123]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:27pm

Can Caren Lyn Manuel come back to rent?
Mmmkthanks

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 12:34pm

Caryn is apparently set to play Maureen in China for a long time.

Akiva

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 1:51pm

i'm so excited for her to come to RENT. Now we have poster boy and girl together and that makes me so giddy :). I NEED to see it next month, especially before Cary leaves.

[Jwei123]

Posted: 9/11/05 at 7:22pm

Yeah, I'm excited for Caren for the Southeast Asia tour...but that is MAUREEN in SOUTHEAST ASIA...I want MIMI on BROADWAY!

haha

BUT. I am glad that she is staying with rent...however far away it may be