"Rent"--The Benny Tour

I have seen the Benny cast of "Rent" eleven times this year, and I have been so moved by this cast that I have decided to make a special webpage in honor of the cast. I have been touched and inspired by the cast through their performances in "Rent" and conversations that I have had with many of the cast members. I never expected to be touched by this cast the way I was, and now I feel compelled to create my own little tribute to them.

When I heard that the Benny cast was coming to Boston, I had been a bit disappointed because I had heard some not so great things about them. But I know everyone has different tastes and opinions, so I went to the theatre the first time with an open mind, and I loved what I saw.  I have to say that this is the best overall cast I have ever seen. This cast has a closeness onstage that I have never noticed in any other cast I have seen, including the original Broadway cast. It seems like they are really friends, and there seems to be more interaction between the leads and the ensemble.

This cast has really renewed my passion for "Rent." The past few times I had seen the show in New York, I enjoyed it, but something was missing. The spark and energy were gone. From the moment I hear, "We begin on Christmas Eve..." to the last note of the finale, I am completely mesmerised. This cast makes me feel like I am seeing the show for the first time all over again each time I step foot in the theatre to see them, and that's an amazing thing to me.

Scott Hunt:  He thinks he looks like a
Hawaiian monkey in this picture.

Scott Hunt as Mark is perfection. I think his performance alone is with the price of a ticket. I was completely blown away by Scott's performance from day one. I have seen about a half dozen Marks, and beyond Anthony Rapp, I had never seen a Mark that I really loved until I saw Scott. He has really taken this part and made it his own. He is a very funny, dorky, and endearing Mark. He has an amazing and powerful singing voice. He does the best "Halloween" I have ever heard (I get the chills every time I hear him sing this song).

One thing that really makes Scott stand out from the other Marks I've seen (including Anthony) is his use of the camera. He is constantly "filming," and it really adds to the whole plotpoint of Mark making a film about a year in the life of his friends. Scott always seems to be pointing the camera at someone, getting down on his knees and walking around the action to get a shot from a different angle.  It just really adds to his performance.

Here is a picture of me with Scott Hunt.

I also love Scott's "Tango Maureen." Even after watching it ten times, he still has me in hysterics every time. I love the way he starts laughing at the end when Joanne answers the telephone. Scott is just so natural and comfortable onstage that I almost forget he is an actor sometimes. He is just an incredibly talented man, and I'm sure there will be endless wonderful opportunities for Scott wherever his career leads him. I wish the producers of the show would get a clue and send this man to Broadway. He is so good in this role that he belongs on Broadway.

Christian Mena is Roger in the Benny cast. The fist couple of times I saw Christian, I enjoyed his performance, but I didn't think that he was right for the part. The more I see him, the more I like him. He has an amazing voice, although I still don't think it's right for the part. And for those of you who didn't like Christian because he didn't wear the plaid pants, he wears them now. I was surprised when I saw him wearing them in Atlantic City. Christian left the show in November.

Julia Santana has been Mimi in the Benny cast since the tour began more than two years ago. Julia is an excellent Mimi, although sometimes her voice seems a bit shot. Like Christian, I didn't like Julia the first few times I saw her, but the past three times I have seen her, she has been nothing short of amazing. I like to call her Tigger Mimi because of the way she bounces on the table during "Another Day."  Julia also left the show in November.

This is a picture of me with Pierre Angelo Bayuga.

Pierre Angelo Bayuga is one of the best Angels I have ever seen (and my sisters can't stop talking about how great he is either). I put him right up there with Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Stephen Alexander. The more I see Pierre's Angel, the more I love it. He is one of the sweetest Angels I have ever seen, and his "Today 4 U" completely rocks. The emotions he displays during "Without You" are haunting and heartbreaking. Watching him during this song always makes my eyes fill up. Pierre also left the show in November.

Horace Rogers is a fantastic Collins. He has one of the best "I'll Cover You" reprises I have ever heard. And boy can this man move. I love watching him dance on the table during "Santa Fe" and "La Vie Boheme." The past couple of times I've seen "Rent," Horace has been out, and I've seen Marcus Chaney as Collins. Marcus is an excellent Collins, but I really find myself missing the way Horace moves onstage when I see someone else as Collins now.

Cristina Fadale is the best Maureen I have ever seen. In all the times I have seen "Rent" prior to seeing Cristina, I had never really been impressed by any of the Maureens I have seen. "Over the Moon" and "Take Me Or Leave Me" have never been my favorite parts of the show, but after seeing Cristina, I always look forward to seeing those two songs. Cristina's "Over the Moon" is absolutely brilliant. She does a fantastic job of making it look like bad performance art.  Cristina is now performing this role in the Broadway cast of "Rent."

Danielle Lee Greaves is an amazing Joanne. Danielle and Cristina really seem to feed off each other during "Take Me Or Leave Me." Danielle also works well with Scott Hunt. Her interactions with Scott during "Happy New Year" are the best I've ever seen between any Mark and Joanne pairing.  Danielle is now performing this role in the Broadway cast of "Rent."

Carl Thornton is the most hyper Benny I have ever seen. I've never seen another Benny who moves around the stage the way Carl does. Carl left the Benny cast in late August.

This is a picture of me with Brent Vance.

Brent Davin Vance is one of the most funny and adorable people to ever step foot on a stage. He is absolutely hysterical as the waiter. I can't even begin to describe it. I've seen Brent as Benny a few times, and I although he is a very good Benny, I always miss his waiter when he's on as Benny.

Jake Manabat does an incredible job on the "Will I" solo. He sings it with a great deal of sweetness and vulnerability. In Atlantic City, the acoustics in the theatre made it sound very haunting, and it added something to an already beautiful solo.

Maggie Benjamin does a wonderful job on "Christmas Bells." A few times, I have been right in front of the ensemble for this song, and the way Maggie looks down at the audience when she sings, "Can you spare a dime or two?" makes me feel very guilty. She makes me want to toss some money at her. I actually did give her a dollar after a show once as a joke. Maggie has a beautiful voice, and I hope I have the chance to see her as Maureen someday. I hear she does an amazing job as Maureen. Maggie will be joined the Broadway cast of "Rent" in December.

There are a couple of amazing understudies in this cast. I have seen Dominique Roy as Mimi a couple of times, and she is amazing. She has a beautiful voice, and she is one of the best Mimi's I've ever seen. I hope that the next time there is an opening for Mimi in one of the casts, they make Dominique a full-time Mimi. Racquel Roberts is an incredible Joanne. She has a beautiful and powerful voice. I was completely awed by her performance. She is just too good to be an understudy.

On top of being incredible performers, the members of the Benny cast are also amongst the friendliest people I have ever met. I have spoken with most of the cast members, and they always respond with a smile and a few kind words. They seem truly appreciative of any compliments you pay them. Each and everyone one of them seems to be a warm and caring individual, and it has been a true pleasure to meet them. Pierre Angelo Bayuga, Cristina Fadale, Jake Manabat, and Enrico Rodriguez are four of the sweetest people I have ever met, and they always seemed to be smiling.

Scott Hunt is one of the nicest and most amazing people I have ever had the privilege of meeting. I have been fortunate enough to speak with Scott on several occasions, and he always seemed genuinely happy to see me, and always called me by name. I always enjoy watching Scott interact with the fans because he doesn't just sign an autograph, pose for a picture, and send them on their way. He takes the time to chat with them, ask their names, and gives them a great memory. People like Scott are rare in this world, and I feel very fortunate to have spoken to him on several occasions. He has really touched my life, and I will never forget him.

Here is a picture of me with two of the nicest people
in the world:  Scott Hunt and Maggie Benjamin

Maggie Benjamin is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. She is a very positive person and a wonderful listener. The night "Rent" closed in Boston, I hadn't intended on having a lengthy conversation with Maggie, but we just started chatting, and before I realized it, I was pouring my heart out to her. She was really listening to what I was saying, and she seemed appreciative of my comments. I don't think she realized this, but while I was talking to her, I was getting all choked up because of what I was saying to her, and how she responded to it. She was just so sincere with her comments. That conversation will definitely be something I will always remember.

Brent Vance is just a complete doll. He is always so happy and upbeat. He is one of the most positive people I have ever met. I think Brent could get anyone to smile any time just by being around them for a few minutes. Without realizing it, Brent helped me through a stressful situation in my life just by smiling and saying hello to me one day. It's hard to be down when someone like Brent is around.

I am really grateful that I had the opportunity to see this cast in "Rent," and meet most of them. They have really touched my life through their performances in the show, and on a personal level. I owe them an endless amount of gratitude for all of the enjoyment I have gotten from watching them in "Rent." They really did renew my passion for the show, and each and every cast member will have a special spot in my heart for that reason. I will never forget any of them.

Call it whatever you want/All about me/Karen's Soapbox/The Birthday Page!/Trevor Linden/
Rent, Rent, Rent, Rent, Rent/The Benny Cast/Charlie Brown/Mr. President goes to Hedwig/Hedwig in Boston