Whatever happened to the Original Joanne, Fredi Walker?

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 7:28pm

Whatever happened to her? ibdb.com only list RENT as her broadway credit, so I guess she hasn't been on another show. How long did she stay with RENT? Are there any articles that state how she feels about the movie?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 7:37pm

I hear she's teaching now.

[greenegirl87]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 7:38pm

I believe I read somewhere that she did not want to be involved with the movie

Updated On: 11/22/05 at 07:38 PM

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 7:38pm

...after her brief stint posting on BWW!

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 7:45pm

interesting......

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 7:55pm

According to a recent article, her and Chris Columbus mutually decided she was too old to reprise the role of Joanne. That's why she isn't in the movie.

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 8:03pm

Well I had always thought that, but I just was wondering what she had done since RENT.

[VivaBohemia]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 8:17pm

She was Rafiki in the Lion King tour a few years back.

[broadwaystar2b]

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

I miss JoAnne1

[wickedfreak]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 9:24pm

I did not think she was very good on the OBC. Just my opinioin sp?

[Bdwy24]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 9:38pm

She did play Rafiki in the tour of The Lion King and I heard she was excellent.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 9:50pm

broadwaystar--I do too. That was one fun thread.

[Kevo711]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 9:55pm

I heard that she respected the decision that she was too old, but had one request... I quote her "Keep Joanne black!"

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 10:09pm

I was at the RENT world premiere last week, and along with the entire film's cast, also in attendance at the film and the after-party was Fredi Walker. She was chatting it up with everyone and seemed to be having a blast. I also read the said interview noting that she and Chris mutually deciding that she was too old for the film. No hard feelings there at all. I do wish she would come back to Broadway though and remind us all again what a kick-ass voice she has. I love listening to her and Idina rock it out in Take Me or Leave Me!

Updated On: 11/22/05 at 10:09 PM

[theatrebabe]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 10:15pm

Yeah, What Kevo siad. There was an article in the Times awhile back about each of the original cast members, where they are now, and what they thought about the movie. I forget what she's doing. But she wasn't bitter about not being in it or anything.

[apdarcey]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 10:16pm

i would've liked to have been a fly on the wall when fredi was talking to tracie! let alone daphne and rosario!

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 11/22/05 at 10:58pm

daphne was absent that night (not to start any drama or anything)

[adamized88]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:36am

last i heard she was working on her production company - see the link below
big spoon productions

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:44am

Do you really think she's too old? I mean, she said it herself, but I always thought that if Joanne looked older, then it would re-inforce her insecurities towards Maureen's love. Just my personal opinion, the critics reviews I have read have mentioned Tracie as one of the best performers in the movie so I'm sure it wasn't a bad decision to hire her as Joanne.

[adamized88]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 12:47am

tracie's performance in the film is phenomenal - and she seems like such a real down to earth person - totally adorable - i met her after the screening and though they were all nice, she was the nicest of the bunch!!

[Urban]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 7:17am

I never got the old deal (for Joanne). Joanne was the one character that was older then the rest, at least to me.

[WonderBoy]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:44am

Fredi rocks! I find it odd that she was too "old" but the rest of the OBC was not? Things that make you go Hmmmmm....

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 3:59pm

I agree, especially since Joanne is such already a mature, successful woman, and she has to be old enough to have graduated from Harvard's law school. Again, I'm sure Tracie is a perfect choice for the role, but I think the excuse that Fredi is too old does not make so much sense.

[JoAnne1]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 5:45pm

well thanks for the kind words you guys...

don't worry. you'll see me on the boards again one day. and i will be doing the 10 year in April.

i still lurk around the boards - though don't have as much time to post as last year...

i'll be around tonight and checking in on the reviews and such.

xoxo
FWB

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 5:47pm

Can I say - I miss our late night 2am chats on the old wagon thread!