Rent July 21, 2006
I just came back from seeing Rent at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles. It's my second show in three years so I had been really looking forward to see the show live.
My critique of the characters that stuck out:
Roger played by Bryce Ryness: Roger was more Broadway than rocker. His voice didn't have the rocker tone and I didn't believe that was once a rocker. Sometimes he sounded really girly rather than manly. Bryce's performance during "Your Eyes" was the most disappointing; he sang out of tune and guitar playing could barely be heard. He was a decent Roger and was able to fulfill the role of Roger, but he did not meet my expectations.
Mark played by Jed Resnick: Jed played a really good Mark. His acting and singing was on the mark and performance was witty and believable. Although he fell out of his chair during "La Vie Boheme", he was still funny and entertaining.
Collins played by Warren G. Nolan, Jr.: Warren played an awesome Collins. Although some of the pitches in the Reprise of "I'll Cover You" had to be change so he can sing it, he still did a good job.
Mimi played by Arianda Fernandez: I'm sorry to say, but Arianda played a HORRIBLE Mimi. Instead of singing, I heard whining in all her songs during the first Act. She screwed up big time during "Light My Candle" when the first three words that came out of her mouth were in the wrong key! When the audience heard it, many of us, including me, was looking at the neighbor and going huh? I wanted to shut my ears during "Out Tonight". Her whining really got to me during that song and she really didn't have much energy while working the bars. I wanted to walk out during "I Should Tell You" again because of her whining and also because of her horrible pitch. She was better the second half but even though, her acting and her crying/singing combinations were really off and in the wrong key. Maybe she was sick or something but her performance was very, very disappointing.
Yea, the Roger and Mimi characters were not working for me during this show.
Besides the characters, the transitions from one song to another were too quick and sloppy. There were no sound effects (like Maureen's motorcycle coming in) or the sound effect that comes on during the Honest living park. It was supposely beginning to snow, but there was no sign of snow on that stage. The sound and microphones had some slight problems and sometimes when the actors are singing a high note, the volumes wasn't adjusted so the singing would actually hurt my ears.
All in all, it was a decent show. The acting was at par but nothing above. I can't wait to see Rent when I visit the alphabet city one day.
Anybody see the touring group? Agreements, disagreements?
My critique of the characters that stuck out:
Roger played by Bryce Ryness: Roger was more Broadway than rocker. His voice didn't have the rocker tone and I didn't believe that was once a rocker. Sometimes he sounded really girly rather than manly. Bryce's performance during "Your Eyes" was the most disappointing; he sang out of tune and guitar playing could barely be heard. He was a decent Roger and was able to fulfill the role of Roger, but he did not meet my expectations.
Mark played by Jed Resnick: Jed played a really good Mark. His acting and singing was on the mark and performance was witty and believable. Although he fell out of his chair during "La Vie Boheme", he was still funny and entertaining.
Collins played by Warren G. Nolan, Jr.: Warren played an awesome Collins. Although some of the pitches in the Reprise of "I'll Cover You" had to be change so he can sing it, he still did a good job.
Mimi played by Arianda Fernandez: I'm sorry to say, but Arianda played a HORRIBLE Mimi. Instead of singing, I heard whining in all her songs during the first Act. She screwed up big time during "Light My Candle" when the first three words that came out of her mouth were in the wrong key! When the audience heard it, many of us, including me, was looking at the neighbor and going huh? I wanted to shut my ears during "Out Tonight". Her whining really got to me during that song and she really didn't have much energy while working the bars. I wanted to walk out during "I Should Tell You" again because of her whining and also because of her horrible pitch. She was better the second half but even though, her acting and her crying/singing combinations were really off and in the wrong key. Maybe she was sick or something but her performance was very, very disappointing.
Yea, the Roger and Mimi characters were not working for me during this show.
Besides the characters, the transitions from one song to another were too quick and sloppy. There were no sound effects (like Maureen's motorcycle coming in) or the sound effect that comes on during the Honest living park. It was supposely beginning to snow, but there was no sign of snow on that stage. The sound and microphones had some slight problems and sometimes when the actors are singing a high note, the volumes wasn't adjusted so the singing would actually hurt my ears.
All in all, it was a decent show. The acting was at par but nothing above. I can't wait to see Rent when I visit the alphabet city one day.
Anybody see the touring group? Agreements, disagreements?