[weekend]

reading the comments in this thread, it's interesting to note her 1st major performance in a musical coming under scrutiny by people whom she is possibly hoping to garner support.

after watching her in Rent the musical, she has probably gained one new listener to her music...that's me *grin*... i was given a complimentary cd from buying the Rent tickets. I am not raving about her or defending her, but i think she did a relatively decent job considering she only rehearsed 4 times prior to her actual performance in Rent.

am sure there are better performers out there but i think she is one celebrity some ( if not most ) people can identify with on an asian scale especially the countries she and the cast are planning to tour. How many people would be able to identify with perhaps a filipino cast who would otherwise have excellent talent and vocals for the broadway stage touring perhaps China, Hong Kong and Taipei?

nonetheless, i personally thought it was interesting to note and is quite interesting to see an asian perform the role of mimi who is otherwise a latino

[Tiffyathome]

I watched the show despite, not because, of her.

I did not pay more than $600 to give anyone a chance, I honestly couldn't care less if she only rehearsed for how many times, I expected a professional performance, but a celebrity "trying-her-best-already".

Weekend - I am HK Chinese and I personally would prefer it very much if it was a filipino cast with excellent talent and vocals.

[fly]

I tend to agree with Tiff@home; I've caught the show in London and was looking fwd to catching it locally - except the constant byline ("Rent, starring Karen Mok!") sort of turns me off. She may be a great performer in what she does, but I'd rather pay to see professional actors doing what they do best. Otherwise it just seems like they're using her name because the cast / production isn't good enough to attract enough public attention on its own. Even if that's not true, that's the impression its left on me.

[weekend]

think it is rather obvious Karen Mok is used as a marketing ploy in the asia tour. at least it worked on me....*grin*. the cast may not have given ultra perfect performance, but i understand there were standing ovation to the performance(s) in Hong Kong - no yes?

yeah filipinos are known for their vocal poweress...

[rani]

They seemed to have figured out that Karen isnt that much of a draw.

In today's email...

Congratulations!

You are now selected to enjoy a 50% discount off for selected tickets for the RENT

Simply call the following number 31 288 288 and say the magic code "CPI 6060 "

Selected Catagory

Catapory A orginial ticket price $695

Catapory B orginial ticket price $495

ACT NOW! WHILE SUPPLY LAST!

Adds insult to injury if you've paid full price for the show.

[HKPhooey]

http://www.thestandard.com.hk/weeken...d_str=20051217

[weekend]

some pics to share from Rent the musical.... merry xmas everyone

[KnowItAll]

HKPhooey... err .... that review is an insult to anyone who has actually seen the show. What else would you expect from a Hong Kong publication?

Besides.. you've still not come clean about your affiliations.

[allnighter]

going to see rent tomorrow (xmas day!!!)

[ruthiefan_felix]

Hi! This is my first post here, I saw RENT last night (yes... on X'Mas!). I sat inthe middle of Row B of the circle which I have a clear view. I never really liked the set of the show and thought the music was overall only alright. I was QUITE excited about this show because this is the last performance of the tour in Hong Kong and also there's Asian pop star Karen Mok as Mimi, Jeremy Kushnier AND AND AND Caren Lyn Manuel as Maureen!!!
Well... we went there early so we just hanged around stagedoor. And we saw Dominique Roy (standby and dance captain of the tour). I went up to her and asked for her autograph and a picture with her. I asked her whether she's gone on as Mimi on the tour yet. And she said no sounding quite disappointed. And then she told me that she's not scheduled to be on any day yet, she'll only be on when Karen is ill. And she's gonna be outside watching the show in the auditorium and make notes tonight. She's REAL sweet and when I asked her whether she's got anything planned yet after the tour, she said that she doesnt have any plans yet.
Then we went to see the show. Just as Charles told me... there was no programme or brochure on sale... due to the change of sponsorship! I REALLY want a programme to keep!!!
Well.... the show started... and I THOUGHT that the show started dark and then a spot light on Mark when he makes his opening speech. But here the house lights are on and then you can see the cast run onstage... Anyway, the show went well.
Jeremy Kushnier (Roger): I think he's great. Got a GREAT voice and at times he sounds like Adam which was fabulous! But he is quite fat !!! but of course still very cool! His 'One Song Glory' wasn't the best version I have heard (the best is Norbert's) but his is still very good. His acting is superb and at the end when he screams 'Miiimiiii ~' ... that was AMAZING! I actually REALLY liked him as Roger and just couldnt express how much I appreciate him touring and to let all the ppl in Asia see what a Broadway standard performer is!
Trey Ellet (Mark): He didn't do too much for me... dunno whether it's him or just the role. I didn't take too much attention to him. He's fab and his singing was good and his acting was good.... but just didnt got my attention... sorry! But I realise that he's got short hair now... but at the end where they show the film.... they showed clips of him when he's still got long hair D!!!!
Karen Mok (Mimi): I think 80% of the audiences went in to see her. She was good. Not great... would rather have seen Dominique instead! Don't get me wrong... she's VERY pretty as Mimi... nice legs! But she just lacked the energy. And she tends to mumble softly and quietly and then suddenly loudly belt! Her singing was alright... BETTER than I expected her to be and could actually see a VERY VERY VERY weak Mimi, she's actually VERY thin! But her acting was not good. I would give her acting a 6/10! Good effort though and I don't think it's bad casting because they HAVE to have someone to boost the box office and I think she really did help.
Caren Lyn Manuel (Maureen): I went to see the show MOSTLY to see her! I have heard clips and videos of her doing RENT and BROOKLYN and yet to hear her Evita CD! But when she entered the stage with the motorcycle entrance... WOW! She totally stole the show! Her 'Over The Moon' is the funniest ever! And she's got such an AMAZING voice! Her 'Take Me Or Leave Me' was just pure amazing! She reminds me of Idina and Eden! She's abit short I think... but that's only VERY minor! She's sexy, she's pretty and her voice... WOW! I just could NOT express how GREAT she was!!!!
Danielle Lee Gravis (Joanne): Her voice is amazing too! GREAT and solid performance!
Daryl C. Brown (Benny): He was SO cool onstage! The coolest figure I have seen onstage!
John Eric Parker (Collins): This man could sing! When he sand 'I'll Cover You' after Angel died... MAN!!!! It's SO touching! I mean... I don't find any of the material touching, but his voice made my eyes watery!
Andy Senior (Angel): He was ok... singing was definitely not his best... sounded weak and quiet... but sweet. He was camp but not gay enough. And I dont really get anything from him that I think I ought to get from the role.
Ensemble: GREAT performance! And HAVE to mention Jeff Scot Carey as Gordon, Tye Blue as Steve and Rebecca Naomi Jones who did the high note in SoL. They're on FIRE! What GREAT performers and WHAT voices!!!!
Overall... I didn't really like the book. It was bad to me... especially the ending... too ridiculous! I'd much rather Mimi died. The light were great, costumes were alright, the set... can't stand it. But the band and the music director was great!
I went to stagedoor afterwards! And I got some pictures with the cast and their autographs. I gave Jeremy his card with his cartoon on and he was like o_O and then said 'so you're Felix... nice to meet you!'. He was REAL nice and cool too! LOVE him! Then I gave Caren hers and she nearly burst into tears! She was jumpin up and down with joy when she saw my cartoon card of her! hehe! She hugged me and said 'I will keep this card forever!' She then said 'since you gave me something, I'll give you sth back... if I can find it!' she then dived into her bag and got her CD for me! I was SO SO SO happy! We then took a pic with my card! :P Then got the others and then waited for awhile for Karen Mok. Then HK stars Fung Duc Lun and Ho Chiu Yee were there!!!! I gave Karen her card which she didnt read and got a pic and autograph with her. Then after she left we left.
Just wanna wish the whole talented cast a VERY merry X'mas and a FANTASTIC Tour!
Anyone know when Karen will finish or is she gonna do the WHOLE World tour???