Stand-by Joined: 7/13/03
I have seen Jeremy and I find him totally believable as Roger. His Roger has an edge and anger to it that a lot of Rogers don't have (or at least have as much of.) His acting is his strength in my opinion. He is someone that plays very well off the other actors. You get him with a Mark and Mimi that can do that too, it'll blow your mind and it makes for intense theatre! His voice bothers me at times but I think he's talented--that's more of a personal preference thing.
And a couple of things I thought as I was reading through the responses:
1) it is totally conceivable that a person would have a "country accent" and not sing country music. But Jeremy's accent is Canadian, as he is from Canada. Sometimes the Canadian really comes out in his "o's"
2) A person can be a fan of Jeremy's without having seen him in Rent. He did Footloose, not to mention his solo music. (I like what I have heard of his music.) I recommend seeing him in Rent though because I think he's great. But you only have a couple weeks left to do that.
Chorus Member Joined: 12/3/04
I saw Jeremy on or around the 10th (bad memory, sorry), and I LOVED him. I personally thought he saved the show (which could have possibly been ruined by Drew Lachey). I can't compare him to many other Rogers, as I've only seen one other one. The current tour Roger is certainly decent- he has a good voice, he can act, etc.- but his interpretation of Roger was just too... jerky. I wanted to slap him or shake him. It was seriously like, "I'm sorry for what happened, but GET OVER IT!" The other Roger I saw was the first time I ever saw Rent on stage, and I was really surprised because I walked out of the theater hating that character (I've always been more of a Mark person anyway, lol). But after seeing Jeremy, I grew to like Roger almost as much as Mark. Yeah, Jeremy's Roger gets angry. But appropriately, and not really in a jerky way. Jeremy's Roger is infinately more likeable (without being like pathetic or anything). I really, really enjoyed Jeremy's performance. The ONLY complaint I have is that he didn't connect with Mark very well (but its easy to blame that on Drew... he didn't give Jeremy much to play off of). I would also agree with Delphine, as I thought his "Your Eyes" was exceptional (and I even liked the tour guy's version of that). Jeremy is definately more than solid as Roger.
I regret to say we did after it first opened
Swing Joined: 12/29/04
hey! i've seen rent with him in it. hes great! and hes super nice after the show hell sign anything and take amillion pics with u!
I love Jeremy as Roger, and for me to find an impressive Roger is not an easy task. It's tough to win me over in that role... he plays it very angry, and I LOVE IT! I'm sad he's leaving, but all good things must end.
hey!!it's moi...and i am so sad that Jeremy is leaving rent! and i never got to see him in it!!
but i can't wait to find out what he's doing next in broadway or and musical production...so if you have any news about what Jeremy Kushnier might being doing next please message me!
(i'm finale going to see rent in tour!so happy
)
Understudy Joined: 9/18/04
A few of answers. First Mark Richard Ford evidentally has had a cold or something and that's why he couldnt make it through the second act especially since one of the more powerful songs in the second act.
Second Jeremy's last day is January 16. Rumor has it that he is going to be working on his second album(YEAH!!!)
Third I am sooo glad that insomniak showed up once again to remind us all of his/her dislike of Jeremy. I would have been disappointed otherwise.
Fourth If you haven't already seen Kushnier as Roger run dont walk to Nederlander before it is to late. And make sure you get an autograph and/or picture so that you can sell it on E-bay someday and get a lot of money.
Fifth if you notice every other big superstar they all have distinctive voices: Elvis, Sinatra, Bogart etc... It is a part of their uniqueness. I personally love the fact that Jeremy's voice is not like anyone elses. And I still marvel at how he belts out some of those notes.
BTW check out www.sergekushnier.com as I am always looking for pictures. Thanks
Updated On: 12/30/04 at 12:36 AM
I too saw Jeremy's roger and was very impressed. Go see him now! Run like the wind jeremykushnier1fan!
I love MLEShawn.
Yeah, I love Jeremy's Roger. He's got a lot of nuances and pays attention to details that others ignore. I feel he gives one of the strongest, most well-rounded portrayals I've ever seen. He just embodies the role and everything makes sense. I messaged you, we can go into details there =)
Colin Hanlon's Roger was pretty damn amazing too, a hair below Jeremy for me. That's saying something. Insomniak, I think you would really enjoy Colin. I think his acting style is much more attuned to what you would personally enjoy. If he's ever on in the role again, you should try to check it out.
I think I jinxed myself by posting in this thread today.
Jeremy was out
Owen was on as Roger.
Luckily, so was Drew, so I got to see Matt go on as Mark! :)
BTW, the Neder people are now saying Jeremy's last is the 17th.
"TGIF--
What do you mean about HEALTHY? Are you saying that people who are HIV don't look healthy? I am lost. I am confused. I am a little shocked at your comment. "
Eek, things are just not coming out right lately. I knew healthy wasnt the right word, hence the quotations around it. This was said many times about Scary Spice when she played Mimi. Not that she has AIDS - but that she is a junkie. Typically, not always, but typically they are very skinny and sickly looking, especially for someone who has just recently fought his addict. I can just imagine what the withdrawl would have done to him. Jeremy just looks a little to meaty for the role for me. Also, he hasn't left the house, they have minimal money - most of which is probably going to medication now, and he is getting over the grief of his dead girlfriend. I highly doubt he is taking good care of himself.
I apologize for the mix up.
TGIF: Jeremy just looks a little to meaty for the role for me.
That made me laugh a lot. Hehe. He used to be too skinny for his own good around the time he was in Footloose. I'm glad he buffed up a bit actually. But I'm shallow. So yeah.
Understudy Joined: 6/8/04
mleshawn and Kris2, may I just say I heart the both of you and I can not wait to meet you all on the 16th.
Mleshawn and Kris2 said all that needs to be said about Jeremy, I could add more but the those of you who have expierienced this man don't need explanations. *nods* the end
Jeremy is really good, but the best Roger I saw was Jeremy's understudy, Colon Hanlon.
just want to sound off as someone who has been following RENT sincr seeing the OBC.... the best Roger has been Norbert Leo Butz! and this includes touring and foreign casts i've seen
Understudy Joined: 9/18/04
HAK,LyTeMyCanDyI, etc...- I completely respect your opinion but Kushnier transcends the question of who is or isnt the best Roger. Whether his next gig is being in a movie playing at the cineplex down the street or doing dinner theatre in Delouth look for me in the audience because I plan on being there. It is the same reason that they pay stars 20$ million per film; be the movie good, bad, or indifferent people go to see the performer.
BTW Kris2 and MeliMel--- "Fire in the Bush"---- see ya in 2 weeks.
Anyone have the rent book??if so tell me HOW IS IT??i wanna buy it!!so any reviews on the book before i get it??
Stand-by Joined: 9/12/04
I saw RENT once on tour in Boston and once on Broadway. I liked the tour one better, actually. I saw it with Leslie Diamond as Maureen and Rebecca Jones as Joanne and Jamie Lee Kirchner as Mimi. They weren't bad, the three of them were the best. Leslie Diamond is really amazing. The guy who played Mark (forget who) was really good too. Jamie Lee Kirchner was, I think, a professional dancer, so "Out Tonight" was really good. And there was an understudy for Roger that night, so... boo hoo.
OK..in the song 'La Vie Boheme' Benny declairs that 'Bohemia' is dead..well what is 'Bohenmia'?
Mark and the whole gang are 'Bohemians' right soo...my next question is what are they?...(i geuss if my first question is anwsered tehn i'll understand what 'Bohemians are right?)
thegalisdead you got to see Matt? How was he? I love that man! ANywho Jeremykushnier1fan, if you are a rent fan i suggest that you get the book or as many call it the bible. Bohemians are artists by the way. ANd yeah another rent fan in the making!
Broadway Star Joined: 7/18/04
I loooooved Jeremy as Roger....soooooo much. It was the only time I'd seen Rent but I enjoyed him ALOT. He was my favorite in the cast.
I really hope this doesn't come off as rude, but I have to ask? Have you ever heard or seen RENT at all? Or are you just "getting into it" because Jeremy is in it? Its ok if you are, I am just curious.
Chorus Member Joined: 12/28/04
I've been a lurker on this website for a really long time, and it's taken me until yesterday to actually register.
I have a question about RENT. Mark is Jewish, correct? That's what I thought, especially when Roger mentions Mark and the High Holidays. My question, however, is: In the first voicemail, with Mark's mom, why does she say that they'll miss him tomorrow (Christmas Day)?
It just kind of confuses me... Is that a legitimate question?
Updated On: 12/30/04 at 08:19 PM
Yeah we saw Jeremy Kushnier in Rent about a month ago and he was really good. He played the angry emotion card to a great extreme. There's a part towards the end where Roger yells at Mimi and he almost broke a table with his massive anger.
actor465 Mark is jewish and maybe his family is just getting together. I am not sure though. I really shouldn't answer this since i am a non-religious jew who celebrates Christmas!
Videos