Blog Post – Craig DeCarlo

Have you ever been so moved by the beauty of something, that it’s rendered you speechless? We’re halfway through the rehearsal process and I’ve been reserved about writing, until now. I was worried that I would cheapen my experience by jumping the gun and writing that everything was amazing and that we’re all BFF’s, but it’s undeniable…maybe not so much the BFF’s part –an honor like that shouldn’t be thrown about with ease, it has to be earned over time, but we’re all getting on very well. 

This piece of art that Jonathan Larson has given the world is extremely special. There’s nothing like it out there. It took Broadway and the theatre world by storm, dominated the Tony awards, and even won the Pulitzer Prize for many reasons. To make a long story short, there are so many incredible life lessons, infused with heart, soul, passion, and love, all set to one of the most incredible scores in the world –and that’s a huge understatement. This score is intense, and I feel so privileged to be able to sing it in this artistic capacity with these incredible, beautiful people who are so talented, loving, supportive and dedicated to this project. 

On Monday at rehearsal, we were standing in line across the stage singing Seasons of Love. Erin Kanygin, our Alexi Darling/ u/s Mimi, was next to me and started to cry while we were singing. I put my arm around her. Everything about it felt so right, and we just let it be. There’s so much love, so much beauty and so much heart here that it moves people to tears time after time. This show is going to blow people away and I am so incredibly touched by it all.

Blog Posting – Kholby Wardell

So,
Rent!

I’m doing Rent?

I suppose I am!

There are these moments in rehearsal when Ryan will say, “Remember when we’re doing ‘Rent’?”  And we all sort of pause. And remember: Yes, we ARE doing ‘Rent’!
Now, I must admit, I was never really a ‘Rent-head’. The first time I heard the music was in University, two years ago? Maybe?¿? I liked it, but I didn’t fall in love with it. Well… Now… Let me tell you… my opinion has changed. There’s nothing like a musical that actually provides a lot of challenges to the performers. There are some pretty intricate harmonies peppered here and there, some fairly high male parts, some disgustingly beautiful solo’s, duets, female parts, and some difficult rhythmic frustrations!  When this cast sings a song like, I’ll Cover You (reprise) or Seasons of Love, or really any song for that matter, my heart melts, then leaps up with joy (I must admit, tears were definitely shed on Monday during our staging rehearsal for Seasons of Love). The sheer power of this amazing cast is mind-blowing and the emotion infused into every singers voice is just awe-inspiring.
The experience so far has been wonderful – truly – the first run was scary and rewarding, the staging has been stressful and imaginative, the dancing has been exhausting and sexy, and the cast has been all of those and more. Well, maybe not scary… Except Sharon Ong Crandall.  Kidding.
Actually. For such a large cast it’s astounding how instantaneously we all clicked.  We all keep saying that and it probably sounds hoaky, schlocky or ridiculous, but come on! Seriously! We get along this well? We love each other this much? We work together this amazingly? Can’t we have one fight? Just one? Someone here needs to get some plastic surgery…
…Right, Craig?…
Well… Our time together thus far has been such a wonderful start, we’re running for the finish line and boy are we picking up speed.  It’s not all rainbows and unicorns from here, but hell, that’s the fun of it all.
To Dogs!

Blog Post – Sean Parsons

Ok folks, one month until we open. Oh lord! Rehearsals are going so well, and I have never worked so effortlessly with a director. It feels like these numbers are just “happening” without really being artificially created and staged. Does that make sense? The cast is not only the most unbelievably talented group of people (seriously, wait until you hear everyone sing the shit out of these songs), but they are SO FUN! We have shared so many laughs already and Ryan has only had to scold us a couple times for talking too much… haha! At this point, I am not gonna lie, I’m a little terrified to have only a month left to solidify THREE roles (Ensemble, Angel U/S, Benny U/S). My script is a little bit of a disaster, as I attempt to notate blocking for all three, sometimes all onstage together… I think i have finally established a slightly organized system. Tonight is our first stumble through of Act One, which is scary, but between the principals, their understudies, and their swings, I think we should be just fine! We’ll keep you updated!

<3 Sean
PS: WE ARE DOING RENT!

Blog Post – Christine Quintana

Today was our first Act 1 runthrough, and it was my favorite rehearsal thus far.  Nearly 6 hours straight of staging and run, today definitely kicked my butt, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!  The rehearsal studio was super hot, but so was the work being done today!  It was such a treat to get to see some of the numbers I hadn’t seen yet – like Tango Maureen, I’ll Cover You, and Santa Fe – plus stage Another Day and La Vie Boheme.  La Vie Boheme is, of course, the number everyone was waiting for, and I was up and dancing on the table as soon as I got the chance!
It was also great to have Craig (my Roger) back.  He’d been away for the last few rehearsals, and I’ve been eager to start to develop the relationship between Roger and Mimi.  The more I pore over the script, the more I see their love is so complicated but so beautiful.  However, I’m becoming keenly aware of the finer points of onstage intimacy – have you ever tried to passionately hold someone while knowing you are sweaty and gross? Belt a B about 5 inches away from their face? Kissed someone with 30 people and a camera watching?  Ah, live theatre – what could be better?

Blog Post – Cesar Erba

Rehearsal this Sunday the 5th was AMAZING! It felt orgasmic to take on the
heels for so many hours and bring angel to life! I don’t think I’ve had
this much fun doing a show ever! there’s just something so beautiful and
refreshing about this cast, and the support you get from the crew, and
everyone working to put up this show. I am truly honored and grateful to
have this opportunity to participate in such a breath taking adventure!

It already scares me to think that sooner then expected this journey will
be over, and I’ll feel a little lost not having this fabulous group of
artists around as often as I’d like too. That I wont have a place to call
home anymore, cause to be honest that’s how it feels when I come to
rehearsals, it’s like coming home to a loving and accepting family!

But for the time being let enjoy what’s in the now, this journey has just
begun to take it’s course and I promise you’ll be blown away by this
extravaganza.

So please please book tickets now, because they are going fast, and you’ll
be sad you didn’t get them while you could have.

Until next time RENT fans, live love and laugh!

Cesar

Blog Post – Hal Rogers

So we ran through act 1 today and it was so much fun! It was a little stressful since we haven’t gone through some of the stuff since some of the first rehearsals, but we made lots of progress! I had so much fun watching all the numbers that I’m not in, and I just adore the cast we have! Out tonight was my least favorite song from the movie, but it’s slowly becoming a favorite every time I hear Christine sing it! She is AMAZING!!! and so is the rest of the cast of course! Tomorrow we pick up where we left off and start fleshing out act 2. I know its going to go well! I still almost can’t believe we’re doing rent! The excitement makes me forget about missing home! But I do miss Edmonton a little bit, but being a part of this is totally worth being away from home for the summer! Two more months of fun and its back through the mountains to the prairies! Until then “EVERYTHING IS RENT!!!!”

Blog Post – Nick Fontaine

Here comes July! RENT is just a few short weeks away, and rehearsals are trucking along. I’d been trying not to get too excited about playing Collins in the beginning; I was so nervous after callbacks, I had to talk myself down, but I think I’m officially allowed to feel a little pumped now.
The biggest challenge currently is breaking out of all the vocal ad lib patterns you hear on the Broadway soundtrack and all the other various recordings of RENT out there. The spectre of Jesse L. Martin hangs above me, for sure; singing his fills has been easier for rehearsal purposes, but now I need to get comfortable doing my own stuff.
Ultimately, musical theatre is a real treat for me, having come from training environments that focus quite exclusively on acting for the stage and on film. On top of that, I get to fill a role I have always wanted to play; there are precious few lead roles for baritones these days.
So, now to plow through July! Lots of special events coming up, plus plenty more webisodes on YouTube, so keep visiting us here. What’s more, you can listen to my mindless ramblings every day on Twitter (@nfontaine). Lucky you.