Monday, November 11, 2002
Rent, Broadway (2002)
Cast: Manley Pope (Roger Davis), Joey Fatone (Mark Cohen), and the rest of the talented cast
I've already said many times how much I love Rent, so that's not news.
What is news is how Joey Fatone is performing as Mark. I'm not at all an N'Sync fan - never have been and never could be, so when I heard that Joey Fatone was going to star on Broadway in my favorite Broadway musical of all time, I was not happy. When I found out that this would coincide with my trip there and the first time David would see Rent on Broadway, I was even less pleased. I have to apologize to Joey Fatone and all the N'Sync fans out there. I may not like their music, and I can't speak about the rest of the group, but I was very impressed with Joey Fatone. It kills me to say it, but not only was he a great singer (one of the best I've ever seen play Mark), but he was such a great dancer and as many of you know, the roll of Mark Cohen requires a lot of dance and other movement. I was impressed.
I was also very glad that Andy Senor finally left the roll of Angel so that Jai Rodriguez (who has been his understudy for a long time on Broadway and on tour) could finally take over. Jai was an amazing Angel. Definitely the second best I've seen so far (second only to Wilson Cruz, who was totally amazing the first time I saw Rent) and that's saying a lot. I hope Jai Rodriguez continues to do well, he did a great job as Angel!
Grade: A+Labels: 2002, Best Musical, Broadway, dancing, drama, musical, Rent, romance