Having an anti-social week... I'm in manic phase right now, working on a sewing project. Seriously, when I get hooked on a project, I obsess over it, to the point where I can't sleep because my mind is frantically thinking about it. And then I end up getting up and working on it all night. And then the next day. Such is my creative muse.

Anyways, that's not the point of this entry. The point is... RENT!!!!

Just got back from seeing Rent for the first time on stage. SO amazing! It was opening night here in San Diego, and the house was packed. I, being broke, was up in the cheap seats, but I could care less. :P

I gotta hand it to the cast, they were all spectacular! LOVED Mark (Jed Resnick). Suitably geeky, and gave a performance that was very reminiscent of Anthony Rapp. Roger's (Bryce Ryness) "Rent" was a bit underwhelming, so I was worried for a bit. But once he got to "One Song" he really let it all out! I gotta hand it to him, too - there was some trouble with his mike sounding scratchy in the beginning of Act I. Somewhere during "Light My Candle," a regular, hand-held mike appeared in his hand. However they did it, it was so smooth that I didn't even realize for a long time that he even had it! He ended up having to use that for the better part of the first act. Tom (Warren G. Nolan, Jr.) has, quite possibly, one of the most beautiful voices I've ever heard. I was swooning just about as much over his voice as I do over Jesse Martin's. Benny (Michael Ifill) was a bit hard to understand at times - he seemed to sing a bit softer and with less enunciation than the others, and it made it difficult to hear what he was saying. Joanne (Chante Carmel Frierson) had a great, powerful voice. Angel (Ano Okera) was cute as ever! Mimi (Arianda Fernandez) I was kinda so-so on. Her sort of lisp got a bit overpowering at times. And I feel bad saying this, but it made Mimi look a bit retarded. Her "Light My Candle" and "Without You" were awesome, though. :P Maureen (Tracy McDowell) was AWESOME. In "Over the Moon," she really drew out those "gotta gotta gotta"s for EVER. :D But seriously, one of the scene-stealers was one of the ensemble members. I think it was Altamiece Carolyn Ballard? OMG, she had the most POWERFUL, clear voice. In "Seasons of Love," she just blew me away. MAD props to her for that!

"Take Me or Leave Me" was SO hot. The audience was howling through the whole thing! Very nicely done! "Contact" was a bit annoying for me (and everyone sitting around me). The light behind Angel points RIGHT at the upper balcony, so we were all totally blinded for most of the song.

And yes, I mooed. Loudly. XD

Because I'm a little chicken, I didn't go to the stage door afterwards. Maybe for Wicked I will! (TWO WEEKS FROM TOMORROW!)

HONEST LIVING! :P