My Days at RENT

The first time that I saw RENT was January 30th 1998:

Cast: Full OCC, except for Robert Glean being on as Benny.

My thoughts: I don't really remember much about this performance. Mostly just little things here and there. For example I remember thinking that Luther never looked at the audience, and that Chad was hot, and not fully tuning into the fact that Angel was a guy (really, just not putting 2 and 2 together :). Also, since at home before the show (well, before my CD was stolen :( ) I just really listened to the second act, mostly Seasons of Love, so I really wanted them to get onto the second act. I began to get bored in the first act around LMC. One thing that I will always remember about this performance, is the feeling I got when I first steped into that theatre, and saw the stage for the first time. I think that it was then that everything began, and I knew I was in for something.

My 2nd time was April 18th, 1998:

Cast(main characters):
Jeremy Kushnier as Mark
Dean Balkwill as Roger
Saskia Garel as Mimi
Jen Aubry as Maureen
Karen LeBlanc as Joanne
Damian Perkins as Benny
Danny Blanco as Collins
Jai Rodriquez as Angel

My thoughts: Finally, I was able to see the show again. Because I don't live in TO, we had to get tickets on either Friday or Saturday nights, and the closest thing availible for us was April 18th, so I had to wait a while. At this performance I was very disapointed that neither Chad or Luther were on, but i survived. I ended up really liking Jeremy's portrayal of Mark. I wasn't very fond of Dean's Roger thought. I think that it was his voice that I didn't really like, he didn't seem like a "Roger" to me. I loved Saskia's Mimi, as well as Jen's Maureen, and everyone else. I was shaking at the end of this show, but I'm not really sure why. I remembered everything much better after this show.

My 3rd time was May 26th 1998:

Cast(main characters):
Melanie Durrant as Joanne
Dom Roy as Mimi
Cary Shields as Roger
Chad Richardson as Mark
Jen Aubry as Maureen
Jai Rodriquez as Angel
Danny Blanco as Collins

My Thoughts: When I heard that my school was taking a bus to RENT, I was one of the first people to sign up (Katie beat me to it :P ). This was an awesome show. Not much of a crowd, but it was still awesome! I was disapointed that Luther had just left, so I didn't get to see him again, but I really liked Cary's Roger too. Dom was great as Mimi as was Melanie as Joanne, and Chad is always amazing. This wa the first time that I was able to go to the stage door after the show and meet some cast members and get pictures and autographs, so I was very excited. They where all very sweet! Especially Damian :)

My 4th, and last time seeing this cast in TO, was July 26th, 1998

Cast(main characters):
Chad Richardson as Mark
Cary Shields as Roger
Saskia Garel as Mimi
Jen Aubry as Maureen
Karen LeBlanc as Joanne
Damian Perkins as Benny
Jai Rodriquez as Angel
Danny Blanco as Collins

My thoughts: OMG! This was the best show that I have ever seen. The energy on stage by the whole enitre cast, as well as everybody in the audience of the packed theatre was incredible! I honestly don't know what else to say about this show! Anyone who was there would know what I'm talking about. And, the people at the top of the 2nd balcony even provided some intermission entertainment for all to enjoy :) I don't know what else to say....

My 5th and last time was August 2nd,1998, at the NAC in Ottawa.

Cast(main Characters):
Dean Balkwill as Mark
Cary Shields as Roger
Damian Perkins as Benny
Jai Rodriquez as Angel
Danny Blanco as Collins
Christine Bandelow as Maureen
Karen LeBlanc as Joanne

My thoughts: I don't really know what to say about this show either. I was disapointed that neither Chad or Jen where there for my last show, but I really wanted to see Dean as Mark, and another version of Maureen. Dean was a kick-ass Mark, I liked him sososo much more as Mark than I did as Roger. Christine was also really good, she has a very good voice. Dead audience though, but it was still previews. After the show, me and Katie got a Dean hug and said good-bye to everyone who came out. We never got to meet Danny though! :( Then we went to catch a taxi, never to see them again.