Welcome, Anthony Rapp!- Page 71

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 1:47am

are you saying that since Phantom lost all of its golden globes that movie producers are gonna start backing out of musical projects? Because, honestly, I think that if RENT, THE PRODUCERS or HAIRSPRAY has the same losing steak as Phantom that with all the musicals in the works right now one or two of the projects that are still more in the planning phases and not preproduction might get shelved... DREAMGIRLS or example... GUYS AND DOLLS, DAMN YANKEES or whatever the hell Miramax is planning next... it does seem sometimes that when they make movie musicals they're doing it for the awards...

the fact that "Learn To Be Lonely" lost for best song is mind boggling to me... but I dunno... I'm a sucker for any new Webber tune... Updated On: 1/18/05 at 01:47 AM

[KnowYourDanger]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 2:52am

hi everyone,

i'm new here, but i've just read all 71 pages of messages, so i think i'm caught up on the conversation.

i saw rent tonight for the ump-teenth time, and i'm always amazed at how, no matter who's in the cast, the music, the harmonies, and the beauty of the lyricism can literally give me chills.

one of the moments in the show that always always always gets to me is when the cast lines up for the i'll cover you reprise and there is an empty space where angel once stood. i really hope that the film will successfully convey moments like that one to the audience.

looking forward to seeing the film - only about 525,600 minutes to go!

xoxo
danger

[Whiteboy Spice]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 1:27pm

Hey everybody --

Thanks to you all for your interest and kind words and support and all that. You all keep thanking me, but believe me, contributing to this thread is a real pleasure for me. I love conversations, and taking the time to correspond with you all like this beats staring at the wall of my hotel room before I head over to rehearsal.

"I just saw another one of your movies called David, Searching. I'm really into those more artsy, less mainstream films so one of my friends got it for me off ebay and it was really good. This is kind of a wierd question but was it ever hard or akward to film based on some of its content? Could you ever kind of relate to David on a personal level?"

I'm glad you liked David Searching. It was truly a labor of love -- no one was paid *anything* to do it. And it was written for me, which was a real honor. Just for the record about the "content" (i.e. the masturbation scenes): I did exactly what Leslie, the director, told me to do, and trusted him that he would shoot it tastefully. I believe very strongly in the power of film to get into very intimate, slightly uncomfortable nooks and crannies of human experience, as a way to explore what it means to be human, so I didn't have a problem doing that.

And I definitely related to David on a personal level in some ways, although I think he was a bit more neurotic than I. But I've definitely had my share of insecurity when it came to dating and romantic relationships and all that. I just haven't been as single as often or as long as he has.

On a side note, when Leslie saw Rent for the first time, he freaked out that I was playing another documentary filmmaker. Just a weird coincidence.

"i know with your very busy schedule you don't have much free time but i was wondering if you like to read and if so what some of your favorite books are."

I haven't been reading as much this past year as I'd like to. I sort of get to read in spurts. But among my favorite books are The Catcher in the Rye, Doomsday Book, The Feast of Love, Disgrace, the Lemony Snicket books, The Corrections, and lots more that I can't think of at the moment. I love books that have a lot of truth in them, but that also have a strong point of view, even fantasy elements sometimes, as a way to explore the human condition. I love books that are funny but have a serious core. I love books that feel authentic, whether they take place in Hoboken or on Mars.

"On another note, I just heard the version of Seasons of Love that had Stevie Wonder singing the solos. Did you get to meet him and sing with him for the recording or was it all done seperately?"

We didn't get to meet him or sing with him, unfortunately. They were sorting out his contract when we were supposed to be there with him, and by the time that got worked out we had to go. Sad.

"1. Had you seen HEDWIG (play or film) before you performed in it? Also, I have never seen the play but the movie is one of my favorites of all time...how do you think the two compare?"

I had seen the play about three or four times, with three different Hedwigs (John, Michael Cerveris, and Matt McGrath, all of whom were great and all of whom brought out different colors and aspects of the character). And I had seen the film once, in the theatre. I admired things about the film, but overall, expecially after working on it, I prefer the play. I think in some ways the film literalizes the story too much; it's really an allegory, and it's somehow more effective to allow the audience to imagine all of the events of the story as told to them by Hedwig, rather than seeing them. I also love the structure of the play, that it all takes place in real time at a real venue, and it's a real rock concert. I think that gives the music even more power and urgency and allows the songs to shine. But I do think John displayed a wonderful sense of imagination in the way that he filmed some of the numbers, and I think that the film's presence has given new life to the theatrical version, which is now being done all over the country (and Canada) and is doing well wherever it goes up.

"2. RENT has obviously become very important to a massive amount of people. Was there anything that impacted you growing up the way RENT has so many of us?"

I don't think so, no. My friends and I used to love watching Monty Python movies and tv shows, and the Star Wars films were great, but they didn't affect the deepest parts of our lives the way Rent has affected so many. It's kind of a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, I think.

"Can you tell us some of the other people that auditioned for the "rent" movie since the whole cast has been announced?"

I'm sorry, I don't think that's my place. I don't know how many of those people would want it known that they didn't get to do it. I can say, however, that there were some interesting names on that list. Speculate away.

"I would like to know more about your experience with Your're A Good Man, Charlie Brown. I'm Currently doing the show and its a lot of fun, but I was wondering about your experience with it."

What would you like to know? I had a wonderful time, but I was sad to see it fail to draw much of an audience on Broadway. While we were out of town, we got wonderful reviews and a great response from our audiences, and then we got to NYC and Ben Brantley in the Times hated us (but loved Kristin Chenoweth, thereby launching her career) and we could never get our feet under us. But do you have more specific questions?

"I have a question for Anthony and everyone else too... if you were ever given the oportunity to run naked through the Parthenon, would you do it?"

Sure. Now I feel stupid, but that's a reference from the 1994 studio production of Rent, right?

"In David Searching, what was it like working with John Cameron Mitchell?"

David Searching was actually the second project I did with John; we were also in Six Degrees of Separation together. He's a very smart, inventive actor. It was fun to do our little quick scene in David Searching together.

"Also, did he give you any tips or whatnot when you played Hedwig?"

Nope. I didn't ask, though. I figured by the time I did it he had moved on, after playing the character for so long and doing the film and everything. I also wanted my version to come from myself and my director, and not be too influenced by the other incarnations I'd seen, as much as I'd admired them.

"That and Velvet Goldmine. Have you ever seen that movie, and if you have, what did you think of it?"

I did see Velvet Goldmine when it came out, and thought some of it was very cool, but overall it seemed like a bit of a mess to me at the time. It was certainly interesting, though.

"which do you prefer making? Lower budget independent movies (David Searching, Open House etc) or ones that are more mainstream and well known (Road Trip, A Beautiful Mind, RENT..) or both?"

I've had great experiences on both kinds of films, actually, although overall the lower budget films tend to be a more intimate experience. Dazed and Confused was a kind of midsized budget, as was Adventures in Babysitting, and they were great to work on, because we had enough money for a real crew and real equipment and all that, but not enough money to encourage people to behave like spoiled brats. In the case of Rent, even though the budget is $40 million or so, and we're staying in a nice hotel and all that, the process has been much more like that of an independent film, but that's mostly because Chris is by far one of the most collaborative directors I've ever worked with on a film. He hasn't changed at all in the 18 years since we did Babysitting together, except that he's gotten a lot more confident, which is a good thing.

The only big budget film that was a drag to work on was Twister. And that's all that film warrants in this space.

"One question that I have heard from a few detractors over the many years is "Why don't they get a job and pay the Rent?" I know that this question does not have a simple answer. But, maybe with your wisdom you could provide a little insight."

Benny blindsides Roger and Mark with his demand for the back rent; he had been letting them live there rent free, since he didn't need their money, and they were friends, and he knew they were trying to get their work done. And Mark does wind up getting a job. Roger is more or less incapable of holding down a job in his condition, after holing himself up in his apartment in the wake of April's death and his HIV diagnosis. But the story is not meant to endorse any particular way of living; it's just trying to present honestly the struggles of these characters to make connections, to make ends meet. And the struggle to pay rent, especially for fledgling artists, is a real one, and perhaps Jonathan just wanted to paint a more extreme picture of that situation to make it all the more dramatic.

"1. I know you did an episode of Law and Order: SVU. What did you think about Mariska Hargitay winning the Golden Globe?"

I think she's great on the show, and I was happy for her. She was very nice to work with.

". I saw you in "Mister" a couple of years back with Yassmin Alers. At the performance I saw, your costar choked on his beer and everyone was in stitches (the cast and audience), but you stayed completely in character. Is it hard for you to stay in character at funny moments like that which catch you by surprise? On this board people have debated whether or not cracking under that type of pressure is severely unprofessional in a live stage setting, what do you think about it?"

I pride myself on being able to stay in a scene when something goes wrong, but in the right context I think it can be very funny for an audience if the actors do break. Overall, though, I think it's unprofessional, and sometimes in a long run actors start to get into the habit of trying to make each other break, and that can get really obnoxious. Actors are there to tell a story, to convey an experience, and that doesn't usually involve losing control.

" Have you seen Maria Full of Grace? If you haven't, I recommend it to you, because I feel Catalina Sandino Moreno (who I'm hoping will surprise us all with an Oscar nomination, but I doubt it) as well as the film are being vastly overlooked this awards season."

I saw it and LOVED it. It was one of my favorite films of 2004. Don't be so convinced that Catalina won't get an Oscar nomination; she was nominated for a SAG award, and the actors' branch nominates actors for the Oscars as well, so there seems to be a good amount of support for her out there. I hope she gets nominated, because she was amazing. That whole film was devastating.

"Can I make a request that if you ever have the option, to please make a guest appearance on "The Daily Show?""

If I am lucky enough to be invited, I will be there in a *heartbeat.* I think Jon Stewart is a genius, and I would be thrilled to get to chat with him for all to see.

"I think that's great, but...what do you eat? Like, what's a typical meal for you?"

I'm a pescetarian, the official term for someone who eats fish but not other animal products, so a typical meal for me is something like seared tuna with a side of vegetables, or a vegetarian chili, something like that.

"Also, do you work out, and if so...what work out plan do you use, if any?"

I have fallen in love with yoga in the last couple of years, and now that's my favorite form of exercize. I just did a great class last night. I've never been in better shape, actually, since I started practicing yoga. I also love to walk, and I love to in-line skate, but San Fran is not the world's friendliest city for that, with all of its hills and traffic. In NYC, skating is one of my favorite ways to get around.

"Sorry if this was asked already, but is there any word yet if the movie will have a delayed release a la Phantom of the Opera."

By delayed do you mean a platform release, in which it comes out in NYC and LA and then rolls out to other cities a couple of weeks later? That's a possibility, although I don't think they've figured it out for sure yet. All will be revealed in the fullness of time.

Have a great day, everybody --

Anthony

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 1:34pm

The only reason I think that RENT might not get as much attention as it deserves is because, again, its a more artsy film that alot of people probably won't understand or appreciate. I also agree that it seems like movies are just made these days to impress the critics so it can win tons of awards etc. Frankly its kind of depressing to see a well known storyline get twisted and mangled for the sake of some fame. I would rather that RENT keep its edgy attitude as oposed to it winning tons of awards but the sacrafice being all the stuff that made RENT what it is.

The fact that singing and acting relys alot of staying in good shape is understandable and at times strenuous. Hey, as a teenager, I'd much rather enjoy my few years of youth left before I start losing the ability to eat what I want but what can you do? That's an interesting question, what do you guys do to stay in shape? For me its just no sodas or fast food (NEVER again after seeing Super Size Me) and lots of runs down to the YMCA.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 1:35pm

It's ironic that my friend and I were thumbing through my newly purchased (FINALLY) copy of the Rent Bible when I saw your name pop up in the "last post" column. Thanks!

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 1:45pm

Wow, we have quite similar tastes in books and movies. Just for the record (it may seem silly) but did you like "This is Spinal Tap"?

And also..."Enter Tom Collins, computer genius, teacher, vagabond anarchist, who ran naked through the Parthenon."

From the Bway version... :)


And good luck getting on Jon Stewart! He's one of my absolute favorite people. (did anyone else think it was hilarious that he was named the second most-trusted newscaster?)

Updated On: 1/18/05 at 01:45 PM

[Whiteboy Spice]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 1:52pm

"And also..."Enter Tom Collins, computer genius, teacher, vagabond anarchist, who ran naked through the Parthenon."

From the Bway version... :)"

D'oh!

It's been a few years...

:::::::::sheepishly hides from the others::::::::::::

[insomniak]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 1:52pm

Hey Anthony. We're more fun than the wall, huh? Really? I feel all warm and fuzzy.

What other kinds of books do you (or anyone here) like? I thought A Series of Unfourtunate Events were good, too. They're preteen books, but they crack me up nontheless. I love the narration style. What did you think of the movie version? I didn't think Jim Carrey was as bad as he could have been, but I wasn't a huge fan and I thought the actors who played the Baudelaires were rather dull. I did like the overall production design, though.

[broadway_star_tomorrow]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 1:52pm

We'll forgive you. If you're lucky

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 1:54pm

It's okay...*tempts out from hiding with organically grown cookie*

[KristiAnn85]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 1:59pm

I have to say that I'm feeling for the hotel wall...ok, not really.
I was looking over who is nominated for SAG awards last night, and I was curious as to whether you were surprised by any of the nominations. Like James Garner as Best Supporting for Duke in The Notebook. I'd ask your predictions, but those can wait, and I'm not sure if you could do that, anyway.
Also, since it's the poll of the week or whatever on here, I thought I'd ask you your thoughts. Do you think the actors that take over a role on broadway should get nominated for Tonys? And if so, should they have their own category, like Best Newcomer in an Old show, or be considered with the Best Leads? Updated On: 1/18/05 at 01:59 PM

[randy_girl]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 2:00pm

OMG, Anthony!
Speaking of being some form of vegetarian, have you been the restaurant, Millennium yet? It's in SF, and it's probably the most inncredible vegetarian food you will ever eat. It was just voted best vegetarian restaurant in the country by some veg magazine. It's one of the things I miss most about living in the bay area. So, you should go there and bring everyone you know. So good.

Also, after spending the holidays in Thailand, how is the tsunami affecting you now that you're home? I watched the Oprah special about it yesterday, and people were having a hard time readjusting to normal life. What are your thoughts?

What kind of yoga do you do? I do Bikram. It's so intense.

Thanks!

[JadedBenevolence]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 2:02pm

See Lael, I told you it's been a while for him.

Thanks again Anthony for today's extensive report. They're such fun to read.

I had another question for you. You mentioned doing gigs in NY a while ago (or at least I think I read that), but I was wondering, if you got any time off from rehearsal, and if you did, would you ever do gigs in the California area? If so, interested in making your way down to Palm Springs? Thanks. I know that sounds weird, but you've got a pretty decent fan base in this area, and was curious.

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 2:03pm

Haha alright now the whole parthenon thing makes sense. :-P Well don't I feel stupid?

Anyways, thanks for the info as usual. I might have said this before but I love it when movies are less constricted and so they get to delve into the more uncomfortable nooks of human life. It makes the movie more real because, hey, thats what people do in real life. None of that over-dramatized "This'll win us an oscar for sure!" crap. I was watching it with my friend and she liked it alot but you could tell that she was uncomfortable with it which, in my opinion, solidified the thought that David Searching was a good movie. People tend to be so used to the carefully edited, censored "perfect" movies in theatres (and by doing this editing they usually take out the "real life" part of any movie)that they get really fidgety when they see the movies that actually do portray what goes on on a daily basis.

Anyways what do you think about the books that are made into movies? I love the Lemony Snicket books and the Harry Potter books (haha yes I do) etc and frankly I thought the movies kind of limited everyone's individual image of the characters etc. Any thoughts on that?

[LaeloftheLakes]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 2:06pm

Oh, out of curiosity, Anthony, have you ever been to the Moosewood in Ithaca?

[camerangel]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 2:15pm

**giggles**

"And also..."Enter Tom Collins, computer genius, teacher, vagabond anarchist, who ran naked through the Parthenon."

From the Bway version... :)"

D'oh!

It's been a few years...

:::::::::sheepishly hides from the others::::::::::::

Too CUTE!!

[Dreamcatcher]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 2:24pm

Oh I've been to that restaurant randy_girl. Its true, its very good. It makes me want to move to SF. Plus SF has some great arts programs and I love those gallery/internet cafes. Speaking of the bay area, I was reading an article on the new commercial cat cloning phenomenon and the company that is selling them for 50000 dollars in the bay area and, though this is entirely off subject of broadway, what are your thoughts on that? Personally, I think its a travesty considering that A.) that is money that could go towards much more needed things and B.) there are already thousands of strays that are yeuthenized every day becuase no one will take them in but here we are cloning cats and increasing the problem for tons of money. What do you think about the whole thing?

[ilovepaper]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 2:32pm

hey anthony!

i'm a new member here but i've been reading this thread for a long time now, i was always just too lazy register...but i have noticed that you have written a couple times about star wars.

Not to get all "geeky" on you, which i'm constantly reminded by friends that i am, but i love love love the star wars trilogies as well (i seem to gravitate to things which inspire cult-like status, my grandma was a trekkie so i blame her)...
anyways, i think i remember you sighting some disappointment with the first two episodes (hey, no one blames you...they felt too exposition-ish and rather bland) but I was wondering if you were excited for the third episode, revenge of the sith?

Have you seen how sick the trailer is? My god--hayden christianson looks sooo amazingly cool in it! am i wrong?

just wondering what you thought about it since i too was not very impressed with episodes one and two, but still i cannot contain my excitement for the third.
hope everyone has a great day!
Thanks a lot
--Kat

(I totally could have been nerdy and concluded with "may the force be with you" but i resisted, I am getting better at this).

[zippyjen]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 3:51pm

thanks again for answering the questions! I know you are probablly sick of hearing that though! Oh if you like funny but somewhat serious books, you should read Nick Hornby. He wrote High Fielity which is probablly my favorite book of all time besides catcher in the rye!

[thespian geek]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 4:53pm

"D'oh!

It's been a few years...

:::::::::sheepishly hides from the others::::::::::::"

Awwww. It's okay, Anthony. Though I can't help giggling over the fact that that was YOUR line.

Okay, quick question I thought of reading all of your posts about Hedwig and JCM. Apparently it's fairly "known" that Hedwig fans don't like Rent, and Rent fans usually don't like Hedwig. During Hedwig, did you ever run into fans of that show that reacted badly finding out you were in the OBC of Rent? Also, vice versa for Rent fans finding out you were in Hedwig.

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 5:00pm

but CATS -

Hairspray is going to be compared to the original...the producers is going to do well, i mean it's FREAKIN MEl Brooks....

Rent I think will appeal to less people but will have a greater impact on the people the do see it...

^ If that makes sense...I am worn out...

[erinrebecca]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 5:07pm

thespiangeek, I've never heard that Rent and Hedwig fans don't like the other show. I, and a lot of my friends, have loved Rent since the OBC and also saw Hedwig many times at the Jane, as did lots of other Rentheads. So I don't think that's true. :)

Anthony, sorry if I missed it here, but is it public knowledge yet who has been cast in the roles other than the eight leads? Also, it made me smile when you mentioned that rollerblading was your favorite mode of travel in NYC. I remember seeing you after a performance of YAGMCB and you were so sweet to all your fans then you bladed off down the street. It was cute. :)

[ponine24601]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 5:11pm

Anthony, thank you so so much for keeping us updated and for answering our questions. We all know how busy you are and, not to be redundant, we, or at least i, appreciate it so much. Thanks again for being amazing!

[AbbaRabbit]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 5:16pm

Hi Anthony
The Starlight Children's Foundation (they grant wishes for kids who are sick) is going to grant my wish to go to New York City in the spring. They are actaully trying to contact your brother to see if I can meet him while I'm there. :)
I was wondering if you are going to be filming in New York in the month of April since that is probably when I'm going. I'd love to see you if you are there then.
I was also wondering if you are going to be making another CD to follow "Look Around"
I also wanted to thank you for being a role model. I don't know how, but it helped me be able to come out to my parents and tell them i'm bi.
Love Lauren

Updated On: 1/18/05 at 05:16 PM

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 5:17pm

Anthony- Since everyone has been talking about movies I was wondering if you ever saw 'Wet Hot American Summer". It is a cheesy spoof on the 80's camp movies.

I was in the movie (I played Moose, the kid who yelled "Wake Up" lit a fart on fire, and made out with the camp slut)