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RODGER CORSER: ROGER For a guy whose experience with music prior to RENT was singing in a Pub Band, I would have to say that Rodger Corser was THE find of a LIFETIME for Cameron Macintosh!
Rodger apparently improved DRASTICALLY between the opening show in Sydney and the closing show in Melbourne. I found that from the opening few weeks in Melbourne to the Closing few weeks in Melbourne Rodger went from Good, to Great, to FANTASTIC! I really enjoyed Rodgers raw voice. It seemed to be totally untrained, and I loved that of him! Apparently Rodger struggled to hit the high notes in "Glory", however I only noticed this on one occasion, and that was on a night that he'd been coughing an awful lot, so I don't blame him for missing those notes! I absolutely loved the chemistry between Rodger and Christine on stage. The way they looked at each other, performed for each other... got wrapped up in the roles! It was so realistic. Rodger was a great actor, very passionate. His facial expressions towards the end of the season were priceless, particularly in "Light My Candle". I think what made me enjoy Rodger the most though, was the interaction that Rodger made with the audience...often he would give the audience a "Is he/she for real" look or a "Enjoying yourself?" look which made the audience feel as though they were part of the performance. And that made the whole experience soooo much more fun! *particularly the front two rows who would line up ALL day in the freezing cold for tickets!* Rodger is truly a talented man, and I totally and utterly enjoyed watching him develop his role. Good luck for the future Rodger... I'm sure we'll see you around!!!!!! |
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ANNIE CRUMMER: SEASONS SOLOIST & OTHERS, JOANNE UNDERSTUDY Annie Crummer (or "Mumma Crummer" as she informed us her nickname is) is a talented established singer from New Zealand.
I don't feel as though RENT really showed us what Annie is made of, and I can say that with authority as I own her first album "Language" and let me tell you it's a FANTASTIC album! Annie's Seasons Solo was fantastic. It was very passionate. She was also very energetic in this song moving freely and getting "in touch" with the audience... truly fantastic. Now what to say about her Bag Lady? My goodness Annie! You were so believable and scary that I would have hated to be Mark!!!! You go girl!!! As for Annie's performance as Joanne. Well I saw her more often than I saw Gen, and whilst I love Gen, I have to say that Annie WAS Joanne! She was truly an amazing Joanne! When she sang "Take Me or Leave Me" with Michelle, it was so furious, that you would have sworn that the two of them hated each other in real life *they don't btw* Annie's improvisation in this song was spectacular also. And it was so different each time you heard it. But it always maintained the high level of energy! Mumma Crummer was an absolute credit to this production! |
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GENEVIEVE DAVIS: JOANNE, MIMI UNDERSTUDY Unfortunately I think I only saw Gen perform on four or five occasions. She was ill for a lot of the season, and she was greatly missed performing let me tell you!
Gen would have to be a sentimental favourite. Although I absolutely raved about Annie's performance as Joanne, I have to say that Gen's was just as good, but in a different sort of way. People often forgot how good Gen was until she walked on stage and it was like "WOW!!!!! She's brilliant". I tell you though. I wouldn't have wanted to have been the casting agent and having to choose between Annie and Gen! Gen is vocally spectacular, and a very good actress and dancer too. Her rendition of "We're Okay" was funny and theatrically brilliant. I'm not sure if Gen ever got to play Mimi onstage, as I never saw her and haven't met anyone who got to see her. I would imagine that she would have been brilliant at the role of Mimi though as her voice and dance style really suit that role. Evidently *and I don't know where I read this so don't quote me on it* Gen was a real contender for the role of Mimi... I feel for casting agents you know! Gen...we may not have seen you onstage much... but we still love you to pieces! |
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