Yeah, I know it's taken me a century or so to update this page, sorry, I *have* a life, you know. Anyway, I promised y'all London photos, and while this isn't much, it'll have to do for now. No scanner, no way to get pictures onto internet, oui? It's an issue.
Krysten lighting her bummed "fag" after a show (yes, that's the British slang for a cigarette)
Anthony Rapp with my pal Matt from Texas
*All photos taken on June 2, 1998, outside the Shaftesbury Theatre, by me*
Mark - Anthony Rapp
Roger - Adam Pascal
Mimi - Krysten Cummings
Angel - Wilson Jermaine Heredia
Collins - Jesse L. Martin
Maureen - Jessica Tezier
Joanne - Jacqui Dubois
Benny - Bonny Lockhart
Mark's Mom etc - Angela Bradley
SOL soloist # 1 etc - Rachel McFarlane
SOL soloist # 2 etc - Mykal Rand
Gordon etc - Josh Cohen
Steve etc - Robert J. Solomon
Paul etc - Leon Maurice Jones
Alexi Darling etc - Claire Coates
That would be them, lovely bunch of people. Let's start with Anthony Rapp. What is there to say about Anthony that hasn't already been said? The boy is brilliant, both offstage, and on. I was blown away by his performance. I saw him in NY about a year ago, and I don't remember him having so much energy, so much passion, and so much humour. He probably did, I was just too hungover and running on three hours of sleep in as many days to notice (ah, gotta love the days of 18 hours in line with a bottle of Strawberry Stoli...). And he was sick no less, just recovering from a trans-Atlantic cold. Poor guy. And he still managed to be incredible. His Mark is so intense, but with these subtle little nuances of humour and silliness. He's not as wild as some other Marks we can mention, but he's got his own style, and it's entertaining and heartwrenching and as perfect a Mark as it's possible to have. His voice seems to have gotten better too. I was impressed (even with the cold!). He doesn't sound as -ahem- nasal as he kind of does on the OBC recording. He sounds really great, especially in Rent and What You Own.
Speaking of intensity, hello, Adam Pascal. Wow. Allow me to quote the postcard I wrote Sherri right after the first show: "*LUTHER WHO*??????????" Of course, that's not really fair, I'm trying to stay away from comparisons here, since every cast has their own strengths and idiosynchrisies, so to compare the two would be useless. But Adam, like Anthony, blew me away. I love his Roger. He's intense and he's angry and he's hurting and he's struggling with his rage and his fear, and you can see it all on his face. He gets this look on his face at certain times in the show, most notably during Glory and Goodbye Love, where he looks so torn apart, so vulnerable that I actually burst into tears just looking at him at one point. I wasn't even sniffly until I looked at him, then -wham-. It's that look. Does anybody know what I'm talking about? It's impossible to describe, kinda like almost on the verge of tears, but trying to hold them back, internal struggle etc kinda look. Ya know? Also, another one whose voice has improved a lot. It sounds clearer now, a little less scratchy, like he's been training. His Glory is the most incredible thing I've ever seen (especially that first knee bend, one foot on the chair, one foot on the floor, whoa....). His chemistry with Krysten is amazing. They make the cutest couple. That was something I didn't like about the show when I saw it in NY. Adam and Marcy (Harriel, who played Mimi) never went near each other unless they had to, no cute cuddling, no impromtu kisses or whatever. Krysten and Adam are so cuddly. It's the cutest thing.
Which brings me to our beloved Krysten, who told me to give her love to everybody in Toronto and to let everyone know that she misses us terribly. We miss her too, I reckon. Her Mimi has gotten better, I think, if that's possible. Still the same firecracker of a performance, all attitude and cuteness, with a kind heart and a sensuous soul (that's poetic, that *pathetic*!). she has superb chemistry with Adam, every time they're onstage together there's more fireworks than the Fourth of (shit, can I get any more cliched?). I also noticed how well she and Anthony work together. It's great. But you all know how wonderful Krysten is, I don't need to remind you.
Ok, Wilson didn't win a Tony for nothing, let me just tell you. This boy tears the stage up. Energy level through the ceiling, especially during Today For You. I'd really love to know where he gets the energy. He really sparkles. It sounds kinda weird, but he does. Totally sparkles.
Speaking of energy, what kind of crack is Jesse on??? I'd really like to know. He's constantly laughing, making faces and being a total ham. I loved it! He's so obviously having a great time, loving every minute of every show. He's hams and giggles his way through Act One, then wrenches your heart out in Act Two. And his voice, oh my gosh, especially during the ICU-reprise. Geez louise. The note that brought the building down. I forgot how much I loved Jesse. He does the cutest little things, and he really makes the show personal and special.
And this would be where I stop ranting and start getting a little hyper critical. Ok, I had heard some less than steller things about London's Maureen, Jessica Tezier. Actually, to be blunt, I had heard some pretty bad things about her. But you know what? I thought she was pretty good. Not my favorite Maureen, true, but still far from deserving the bashing I'd heard about. She has a lovely voice, she really does. It's really strong. And she really puts alot of energy into the part. You can't fault the girl for that. My complaint was her Over The Moon, and to be honest, I really *do* think it will get better as she gets more used to trying to sing without her French accent. The problem I found was that she was trying so hard to *not* sound French, that she rushed right through the song, without emphasizing or playing up certain things. That, and the weird cow pose she has. She leans sideways and forward and curves her arms, and she looks more like a gorrilla than a cow, no offense intended. A different cow pose would definitely make a difference. The second show I saw, the mics blew just after the beginning of OTM, but she carried it off really well. I was impressed. They had to shut the show down to fix it, but Jessica didn't seem fazed at all (she *was* fazed, she told me later, completely scared to death). Her Take Me Or Leave Me is excellent, she really gets to show off her voice.
I really liked Jacqui Dubois's Joanne. She was pretty cool. There wasn't as much chemistry between her and Jessica's Maureen as I like to see, but it's early in the run, and people are still growing into their roles. Jacqui does a kick-ass TMOLM and We're Ok. She has a great voice, and I love the cute little gap between her front teeth. It gives her character. Joanne was the only character I saw an understudy for, Amanda Posener. She was pretty good too. Good voice and everything. She didn't seem to do much differently from Jacqui, which is fine. She was good, I liked her fine, but I prefered Jacqui, who seems to have a bit more energy. Amanda was probably just nervous or something.
Bonny Lockhart was kind of a nondescript Benny. He has an ok voice, but he seems to have a similar problem as the one that Jessica has. He tends to rush things because he's trying so hard not to sing with his accent. I actually don't have any particularly strong feelings about him either way. He's a good Benny, just not really remarkable.
And on to the ensemble. If you're still reading this, I'm pretty freaking impressed, let me just tell you. Ugh, I need to learn the art of short but sweet. Anyway, the ensemble. It's unique. Has it's strengths, has it weaknesses. Strengths first. I *love* Angela Bradley!! I love this girl. She does such an amazing Mark's mom! She's absolutely as cute as a button. I love her. She sounds completely like a Long Island mom, then you talk to her outside the theatre and she has this Scottish brogue Robbie Burns would have a hard time understanding (and if you don't get the analogy, go ask your English teacher). She's great. I would love to see her Maureen sometime (yeah, as if I'll be in London again anytime soon), I bet she would kick ass. The Seasons of Love soloists are really good, Rachel McFarlane especially. I love her Bag Lady too. She actually says the "who the fuck" lines on cue instead of with weird timing. Mykal Rand is good too, his Christmas bells are ringing" is ironic, but not quite sarcastic enough for my taste (I'm picky, sue me). But he is good. Josh Cohen is an absolute cutie. I really like his Gordon. The first night I saw it, he kinda slipped, and his "I'm a New Yorker" sounded a little funny because you could totally hear his accent, but the other two times, he pulled it off beautifully. His "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" could be hammed up a bit more, but it's still cute and funny. I liked Robert Solomon alot. He's a great waiter, and his Will I solo is gorgeous. He's really energetic, he bounces alot, as does Leon Maurice Jones, but I still think Leon needs to ham more in La Vie Boheme. I don't want to end on a negative note here, but I guess I have to. Claire Coates, their Alexi Darling. Whoa. What the heck? When did Alexi Darling quit her job as reporter for Buzzline and become a phone sex operater???? Yikes, the "kerching kerching" is supposed to sound like a *cash register*, not an orgasm. Geez. She does it all breathy, as if she's trying to be all sexy. I wasn't too impressed. I always thought Alexi Darling is trying to entice Mark into working *for* her, not just working her.
All in all, the London cast rocks. It's still quite a new cast in some respects, and some of the actors need a bit of time to grow into their roles, but on the whole, they're incredible. There's a phnomenal amount of energy and passion here. I think the connection that comes with having four of the OBC there, as well as the chemistry between Adam and Krysten (Daphne who?) make it a really special experience and I'm **so** glad I got to see it.
The show by songs, only for the really ambitious.