"I don't own emotion, I RENT"
Saw RENT tonight. Love the play. Love it. However, had some complaints about tonight's performance. First off, I have to say that the British cast gave it their all trying to play Americans. Some were Americans, so were exempt from this. The majority of the cast did a smashing job, but the guy who played Roger was utterly annoying, with the thickest British accent I've ever heard on an American. Oh, he could sing. But the speaking? Not so good.
Mimi (Krysten Cummings) was absolutely fantastic! She is probably the best Mimi I have ever seen, which may not be saying much since this is only the third time I've seen the play... But she was that good. Mark was good also. I am of the opinion that if you have a good Mark, you can overlook most other inconsistencies in the show. Mark (to me) is the main character. We follow him throughout the year, and see things through his eyes (or his camera), so his role is very important. The actor definitely rose to the challenge.
Another absolute standout was the actor who played Collins. Voice to rival Jesse L. Martin (original Collins, now on Law And Order), and that's saying something. His "I'll Cover You (Reprise)" left me in tears. A really good show will have me bawling from "Life Support", but this one didn't effect me that much. Except for the Collins/Angel stuff. Thumbs up to those two guys.
Now, problems with the show. Caprice. Hmm...where to begin. I didn't know that they actually cast people who can't sing in musicals. She sang OK when she had someone to sing with, but both "Over The Moon" and "Take Me Or Leave Me" were atrocious. Ugh. And she even spoke some of the lines she was supposed to sing. I mean, I like Maureen. Just not when Caprice plays her. She's pretty enough (cover of Maxim, anyone?), but it's not enough to make me look past the shrill, annoying voice. Thankfully, she wasn't in more than one scene alone. Thankfully Joanne was good. She had a fantastic voice, so that made TMOLM even worse, since Joanne was so powerful, and Maureen was so weak. A reason to be glad that it closes in a week.
Despite the problems, tonight's show was still fantastic. You couldn't butcher RENT enough for me to hate it. There is always something redeeming about it. Although they totally missed the irony boat with Benny (in NYC he is the only character to never change clothes, yet he is the only one with money. Go figure.), they got nearly everything else right. The "I'm a New Yorker. Fear's my life." joke obviously flopped, but we can't expect any more from people who have never been there.
Hmm...I think I've rambled a bit too much. I'll stop now, since I'm just repeating myself. Good show. See it in NYC.
Mimi (Krysten Cummings) was absolutely fantastic! She is probably the best Mimi I have ever seen, which may not be saying much since this is only the third time I've seen the play... But she was that good. Mark was good also. I am of the opinion that if you have a good Mark, you can overlook most other inconsistencies in the show. Mark (to me) is the main character. We follow him throughout the year, and see things through his eyes (or his camera), so his role is very important. The actor definitely rose to the challenge.
Another absolute standout was the actor who played Collins. Voice to rival Jesse L. Martin (original Collins, now on Law And Order), and that's saying something. His "I'll Cover You (Reprise)" left me in tears. A really good show will have me bawling from "Life Support", but this one didn't effect me that much. Except for the Collins/Angel stuff. Thumbs up to those two guys.
Now, problems with the show. Caprice. Hmm...where to begin. I didn't know that they actually cast people who can't sing in musicals. She sang OK when she had someone to sing with, but both "Over The Moon" and "Take Me Or Leave Me" were atrocious. Ugh. And she even spoke some of the lines she was supposed to sing. I mean, I like Maureen. Just not when Caprice plays her. She's pretty enough (cover of Maxim, anyone?), but it's not enough to make me look past the shrill, annoying voice. Thankfully, she wasn't in more than one scene alone. Thankfully Joanne was good. She had a fantastic voice, so that made TMOLM even worse, since Joanne was so powerful, and Maureen was so weak. A reason to be glad that it closes in a week.
Despite the problems, tonight's show was still fantastic. You couldn't butcher RENT enough for me to hate it. There is always something redeeming about it. Although they totally missed the irony boat with Benny (in NYC he is the only character to never change clothes, yet he is the only one with money. Go figure.), they got nearly everything else right. The "I'm a New Yorker. Fear's my life." joke obviously flopped, but we can't expect any more from people who have never been there.
Hmm...I think I've rambled a bit too much. I'll stop now, since I'm just repeating myself. Good show. See it in NYC.