Will Chase in Rent — Page 4

But if this is all true, why have they kept him on for so long? Are there contracts year to year? I don't know anything about that. Is it just us crazy Rentheads that don't care for him (although I thought he was decent, I mean...I didn't dislike him) --- because if it was a general dislike for him, surely they would have cast somebody else by now?

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dmb_rent, what it comes down to is that some people like Matt and some don't. It has been this way since he arrived at the Neder. He was very popular when he was with the Bennys, and he was a much better Mark back then. Generally, it's the people who have seen the show a lot and are sick of him that are playing the it's-time-for-matt-to-move-on tune. These actors aren't going to move on until they're damn well ready or until they find another job. TPTB are very happy with Matt. He's on an open contract which means that he can stay as long as he likes. Chances are good that he'll leave in a few months to pursue his own music again, and probably spend time planning his wedding. There is much that's good in the cast now and the addition of Will Chase will just magnify that.

orangeskittles- OK, I was just checking, I didn't mean to sound like a silly fangirl, but i think that's how marcusshouldbecollinsliekyesterday may have come off. thats all.

Back to the topic Will Chase seems like a good choice. I'm curious to see who else they will bring in as they are loosing like all their Rogers at once.

And as for Matt. I think his biggest problem is that people are jsut tired of him. He's been playing the role since he was 19. I'm sure even he's tired of it. But for the people who have consistently seen the show over the years, I think they are mainly jsut tired of him. I'm tired of him, even though I love him....

I'm thinking I MIGHT see the show in mid/late december.

But I keep hearing the cast is terrible. Who will I be seeing? Will it be worth seeing it with whoever the cast will be at that point?

The cast isn't terrible. Josh Kobak is a great Roger, my favorite. Some like Matt others dont... Everyone I know who has seen her loves Antonique. Kenna is coming back and is by all acounts fantastic. As I said earlier I think DMonroe and Justin are fantastic. Ava is better than others, although not my favorite. And Destan realy isn't that bad, I just hate seeing the much better Collins in the ensamble.

here's the full cast list ala Misty at cb
Current RENT Broadway Cast (last updated 11/28/2005)

Roger Davis: Joshua Kobak (11/28-12/24)
Mark Cohen: Matt Caplan
Tom Collins: Destan Owens
Benjamin Coffin III: D'Monroe
Joanne Jefferson: Merle Dandridge (until 11/20; Kenna Ramsey returns 12/5)
Angel Schunard: Justin Johnston
Mimi Marquez: Antonique Smith
Maureen Johnson: Ava Gaudet
Mark's mom and others: Nicolette Hart (until 12/18/2005)
Christmas caroler, Mr. Jefferson, a pastor, and others: Marcus Paul James
Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others: Frenchie Davis
Gordon, the man, Mr. Grey, and others: Colin Hanlon (until 12/11)
Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others: Enrico Rodriguez (Robin de Jesus joins the cast 12/1)
Paul, a cop, and others: Shaun Earl
Alexi Darling, Roger's mom, and others: Mayumi Ando

SWINGS
Karmine Alers
Owen Johnston II
Crystal Monee Hall
Philip Dorian McAdoo
Moeisha McGill
Jay Wilkison (until 12/16)

the only addition to that I believe is Haven is coming in as Mark's Mom to replace Nicolette.

Updated On: 11/30/05 at 06:33 PM

I'm so confused about how the Rent casting works. Half the people in the ensemble seem to be people who have actually played the role...and now they've been demoted back to ensemble.

Like Karmine Alers...hasn't she been in this dang show since it opened or something? I thought she WAS Mimi, not the understudy...

"I feel so bad for Bythesword...."

Oh the irony of it all. haha I do remember her saying someone would have to force her to watch the stage show again...

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Well no more merle, shes gone. Its frenchie alternating with somebody else till whoknowswhen. Im so excited for will chase, it makes me stop being sad that jay is leaving cause he is my favorite roger, granted I have seen only him 2 times and cary 2 times

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Karmine wanted to become a swing because it gives her more time to focus on her new CD.

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What no one realy wants to admit is that Karmine is just too old to play that part anymore. However her family was very close to Jonathon so I don't think they want to just get rid of her. She was his first choice for the part. Either her or Yaz has pretty much always been in the cast. Plus no one seems to remember how she was out an aweful lot in the spring due to vocal issues. That's when we first heard that she was getting the role until Oct. and then six months as a swing. That being said she is a solid swing. And while I loved Diana Kaarina, at least Karmine will actually go in in lead roles.

And that does specify that Merle left on the 20th. No one realy has the role right now. It's being covered by Frenchie and Crystal until Kenna is ready on the 5th.

No she left last week. She was brought in when Karmine jumped up to Mimi in January, so went Karmine went back down she was pushed aside. I only saw her as Mark's Mom, adn I thought she was great, but not realy right for Rent. I would have realy liked to see her in a bigger part but she never went on as Mimi and only went on as Maureen a handfull of times. I hope she finds something soon that is a better refelction of her talent.

O I agree with you. I saw her as Mark's Mom three times. And I thought she did alot with what she was given. I also saw her in a reading of Womyn in Three, but she had a small part there too. I realy hope to see her in the future in something else.

everyone is entitled to their opinion but if you were disappointed in Will perhaps he wasn't feeling well that night and he NEVER misses a show if he can help it, so you may have caught him on an off night.... i did Miss Saigon for many months, years actually, with Will and he is AMAZING...consistant and strong and brilliant, 150% every show..i can say they same for his peformance in Full Monty(and Aida)...so moving and wonderful..i, for one, am tired of seeing Will follow in everyone else's footsteps...meaning adam and patrick...OVERALL he is a better performer than either of them..THIS IS MY OPINION so don't anyone go bashing me...i like adam and patrick too...but Will is still undiscovered as far as i am concerened...Lennon wasn't the best showcase for any of them including Will...too bad...Will needs a BRAND NEW show and he will win a Tony...=) can you tell i think he is great!?
besides the fact that he and his wife are amazing human BEANS!!! =)