I went yesterday as well. Here's my, rather lengthy, review:
Yesterday I went to see the matinee showing of Rent with Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, original cast members, reprising their roles as Mark and Roger.
When Adam first walked on, people burst into applause, and the girl next to my friend started crying. When the rest of the cast, Anthony included, joined him, the applause grew deafening and continued for around 5 minutes, after which Anthony finally got to start the show.
Anthony Rapp: He was excellent as Mark. Whereas Chris Hanke was funny, Anthony was more serious, but it suited him. He was funny as well, but in a more subtle way. Tango: Maureen was great-he and Merle worked well together. La Vie Boheme was amazing, as was Halloween and Goodbye Love. The latter two were just heartbreaking. What You Own was really powerful. Anthony had great chemistry with Adam. His voice was very good and powerful.
Adam Pascal: He exceeded my expectations as Roger, even after all I had read, and there is truly nothing like seeing him perform live. He was definately a great actor, bringing many layers to Roger, and made me feel so much more compassionate for his character. Another Day was amazing, and Light My Candle was very funny and sweet. His chemistry with Tamyra was pretty good and, as said previously, his chemistry with Anthony was great-very natural. He also seemed to have good chemistry with Troy Horne. His voice was so powerful, and his One Song Glory was the best I've ever seen (He didn't go for that high note during the chorus, though.). The fight during Goodbye Love was explosive, and he seemed so broken up and upset during Finale A/Your Eyes. He really connects with the audience. And there were some humorous moments: his "I'm Roger" shuffle and the champaign bottle demonstration of an erection, coupled with a demonic sounding "Eeee!"
Tamyra Gray: Amazing voice and good acting. Her second act was better, especially during Goodbye Love and, as others have said, she really did seem sick during that time. Her Out Tonight was great-maybe not the best in terms of dancing, but powerful. She was also powerful during Another Day, and funny during Light My Candle. Her Without You was the best I've ever heard-full of emotion and sadness. She played the beginning of Finale B, when Mimi first wakes up, differently than others I've seen. It's hard to describe, but it was good.
Troy Horne: I've seen him once before, and he seemed to have good chemistry with Adam and Anthony, though not so much with Justin Johnston (Angel). However, his voice was so powerful during I'll Cover You (Reprise), and so emotional, that I really felt for him. By contrast, I felt he was lacking emotion in Goodbye Love and onward, and it just didn't seem to fit how Collins would feel.
Justin Johnston: I've seen him all three times I've seen Rent, and each time it's been the same performance. He doesn't bring a lot of depth to Angel. His voice is nice, but he tries to get too much laughs. He just annoyed me this time around.
D'Monroe: As Benny, I've never formed an opinion of D'Monroe. The first time I saw him he was good, and the second time the opposite. The second time he seemed to be trying too hard to be "cool". This time his performance was somewhere in between. He certainly came through in Act Two, and was actually very rough with Tamyra during "Happy New Year B". He seemed really angry at "Roger". During Goodbye Love he was also very good.
Nicolette Hart: She was pretty good as Maureen. Her Over the Moon was funny, but a bit rushed. Her voice definitely started to get irritating after awhile, but she was good with Merle. Their Take Me or Leave Me was explosive. She was very energetic.
Merle Dandridge: I believe she was the only Joanne I've ever really liked during the show. Amazing acting and voice on her part, especially during Tango: Maureen. She was great opposite Anthony. And during Take Me or Leave me she was the only Joanne I've ever seen who could top Maureen. I even liked We're Okay, which I'm not fond of, when she performed it. Overall, she was my favorite Joanne.
Afterwards my friends and I stage doored. D'Monroe and Anthony came out. Both were very nice and signed plenty of Playbills. It was pretty crowded, and very hot. I was in the front row, and was being pushed by people behind me. Uncomfortable, but not too out of control.
Overall, that performance of Rent was the best I've ever seen. Adam and Anthony looked good, and sounded amazing. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to see them in their original roles, and would love to see them again, either in Rent or doing their own solo projects. It was one of the most amazing experiences I've ever had, and it feels unreal.
"I'm sort of like a child genius without being a child or a genius."~Tim Rice-Oxley
