Who Could Foretell That It Would Go So Well?

So I'm not going to lie, I was absolutely terrified going into our first rehearsal Sunday.  Not because I had any doubts about the show or anything like that.  It's always nerve wracking meeting everyone in the cast for the first time and attempting to make a good impression, and then the inherent need to prove to your peers that you're up to the challenge of the role(s) you're portraying.  As I've fully embraced my new "What Would Angel Do?" philosophy, I decided to come to rehearsal in full drag and get ALL of my nerves about anything and everything out of my system at once.

If nothing else, I at least made a lasting impression! :)  Anyway we sang through our title song, and immediately I was able to relax (despite my ungodly steep heels and super-tight tuck); I could feel the electricity in the room and everyone's excitement building to a point where we all sat there singing, smiling like a bunch of dopes, high on the reality of the situation.  It's one thing to talk about doing RENT, but it's a completely transcendent experience to look at it on paper and realize that you're bringing new life into a show that has touched so many hearts and inspired so many millions of people.  It still hasn't really sunken in that this is really happening, for many of us I'm sure.

Of course when you don't know everyone in the cast beforehand, you also wonder what so-and-so will sound like, or what choices they'll make within their roles, how they will personalize things.  It's so cool even just to hear somebody sing a different riff than you're used to hearing on the recordings. Needless to say, the cast is phenomenal.  Many people differ from the typical type-casting their character usually gets, which makes the show more intriguing.  I can tell you from the conversations and direction we've had so far that this will not be the standard version of RENT you've seen a thousand times set and staged the same way, either; but that's all I'm going to say! ;)

Tonight ended a perfect first week of rehearsal.  I got to sing through "Today 4 U", and "I'll Cover You" with the marvellous Marshall Jennings!  I think perhaps I was most anxious to hear my Collins sing, because you want your voices to blend well together when you're playing opposite someone and have duets together.  I am absolutely blown away!  It was well worth the wait to get to hear his glorious beautiful voice and harmonize with him, and NOW I cannot wait for our audiences to hear us together too!

After our first three rehearsals I am even MORE thrilled to be doing this show.  The talent and creativity in this group is incredible, and I really look forward to the rest of the rehearsal process, getting to know my new RENT family better, playing on our gorgeous set, and bringing this beautiful and touching story to life.  It's still all so surreal, but I'm beginning to accept that this whole process is a lifelong dream come true!  I am so very blessed and grateful!  All I can say is GET YOUR TICKETS NOW FOLKS, WHILE YOU STILL CAN!!  New Line has already broken their own records with presales for this show.  It is not a production you'll want to miss, I promise you!

Xoxo,

Angel