from Broadwaystar2b --
"Well, being a Q~tip as well as a Renthead, my first question is about this comment of yours:
"I actually have gone through their puppet training, and as far as I know I did pretty well with it."
How did this come about? Where you audtioning as a replacement or for the Las Vegas company?"
I was auditioning before they knew what they might need; they were just seeing people in case members of the Broadway cast didn't re-up in their contracts, and in case the road company happened sooner rather than later. It all went well, and may have gone farther (which I would have loved, being a huge fan of the show myself) but it didn't amount to anything in the end, because of Little Shop.
"And my other question is: Did you get to meet Charles Schulz when you were working on You're A Good Man Charlie Brown?"
No we didn't. We found out later he didn't make the trip out east because he'd been ill; he died not long after our run ended. We did wind up singing at his memorial service, though. That was a real honor.
from moo --
"A) How did you like Interlochen?"
One of my favorite places on earth. I go back regularly to teach, at least once a year, if at all possible. Even though I went to Interlochen as a camper after I'd already worked as a professional actor, my time there remains among the most fulfilling of my creative life.
"B) Were you Broadway-obsessed as a teenager?"
I wouldn't call myself Broadway-obsessed, no. Although I went to see a lot of theatre. But because I was working in theatre, I felt more like a peer than a fan. Although I do consider myself a fan of many shows and many performers.
from notthatgirl --
"What's it like seeing other people do roles that you have also done? Do you find yourself constantly comparing, or are you able to simply watch the performance?"
It's a little surreal. I'm used to it now with Mark, having seen many different people take on the role. I try my best to watch and take in what they're doing, but there are times when I get a little frustrated at what I feel are missed moments and wasted opportunities. And there are times when I am very impressed and moved. I hope my Tango:Maureen is as funny as some of the ones I've seen over the years.
from chinkie azn jai --
"What made a big broadwaystar like yourself want to join a broadway message board and reveal your identity as well? Also, you shouldnt be pressured to answer everyones questions. It's not your obligation ."
Back in 1996, when the internet was still in its late-infancy/early adolescence, I thought it would be great to get to interact with audiences in a new way (and try to see some unfiltered, honest responses from theatregoers) and I posted a lot when Rent took off. I met a lot of amazing people and had some great conversations. And then it got a little too overwhelming -- there were days when I would get upwards of 30 emails a day -- and some people started to get ticked off if I didn't get back to them promptly and it seemed like I needed to cool off a little bit. But then when the movie started to come together I felt the old nostalgia of interacting online, and decided to tip my toe back in the water. I'm a little wiser this time, though (I think), which is why I keep asking for patience in *advance*. :-P
Seriously, though, I think it's incredible to be able to use this medium to forge an even stronger connection between artists and their audience, and vice versa. I'm surprised more people don't partake. (Although it can get a bit time-consuming.)
from cutewome2 --
" Anthony- Did you see all the names being bounced around for consideration on the boards or otherwise? If so-what are your thoughts about future actors in the show or people that were named as possibilities in case the original cast was unavailable?"
I did see all sorts of rumors, but I just tried to ignore it until I heard some official word. That's the benefit of being on the inside of this process; I don't get news unless it's more or less real, so all the speculation in the world doesn't matter, in a sense. All along, I just hoped that we would get a solid chance to prove our worth to Chris and the powers that be. And I tried to prepare myself for the possibility that it wouldn't come through. Cause you never know...
"Do you feel that it lessens the experience because some people can't separate the personality from the performance?"
In some ways, sometimes, yes. There were times during our run on Broadway when it seemed like a portion of the group of Rentheads wanted us to behave a certain way, and that became more important to them than the experience of the story being told. In a way, I felt like when we went to London we got to concentrate even more on the simple nuts and bolts of telling our story, since there wasn't nearly the amount of hype and noise around our run there.
From Bal --
"Hey! Speaking of LSOH... Did you see the Broadway production at all? Did Hunter Foster (or Jonathan Rayson or Joey Fatone) inspire any of your acting choices?"
I did see the Bway production, with Hunter as Seymour, but it was so long before I started rehearsals that I didn't really take anything too specific away with me. I was happy that he approached it with honesty, which I always try to do. And I thought he was funny, which I hope I am, as well.
"Anyways, as I was saying... I'm going to bring up one of your older answers. I think it's really interesting that Mark's the best character you've ever played, especially since you've had an interesting and varied career since then. I was wondering.. exactly why."
"Mark seems like a fairly static character to me (or am I wrong? I think that he doesn't change much during the course of the show, at least compared to other characters.) I understand that working with Jonathan and then that tragedy that occurred must have made it SUCH a powerful piece to perform, but do you also think that the chracter itself contributed to your love of performing him?"
Admittedly, so much of the reason for my saying Mark has as much to do with how much the whole experience of making Rent happen and all of its aftermath has shaped my life. He is probably the character most like myself, or more accurately, most like myself at the age I began playing him, than any other I've ever done. But I loved having the opportunity to use all of the different aspects of myself: some intensity and rage; some quiet, interior hollowness; some explosive joy; some silliness and comedic antics; some heartbreak and grief. I am very drawn to his particular struggles, and his somewhat awkward position in his group of friends. I feel for him tremendously.
Other favorites, though, have to be mentioned: Hedwig and Henry V and Jacob in Road Trip and Carlos in Gompers, to name a few. I really have been quite lucky in the diversity of characters I've had the opportunity to portray.
From broadwaystar2b
"I have another question (but only if you have time)
have you ever seen the Forbidden Broadway Rent spoofs?
if so, what did you think?"
I thought "Seasons of Hype" was hilarious. And the rest was fun, but not nearly as spot-on.
From greenifyed --
"What's your favorite song from RENT? Why?"
The reprise of I'll Cover You. It's the epitome of what makes Jonathan's work so beautiful and heartbreaking and joyful. And I loved singing What You Own every night with Adam, for the sheer catharsis.
"And uhm, any idea how the Contact scene in the movie is going to go?"
As of now, it's not going.
But a propos of that, I have always loved the way Jonathan wrote Angel's death (although I am not sure that it would work on film). I would like to imagine that for people like Angel who have been living with incredible pain for as long as he has, death would be something like an ecstatic release.
from insomniak --
"How do you eat an Oreo?"
I don't eat them. Sorry... I eat healthy food. Boring, I know, but healthy!
And on that note...
Good night everyone.
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