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May as well write down the experience. It’s easy enough to say that it’s the best version I’ve seen.. which in hindsight, isn’t that hard. The first sitting we were too unprepared to really judge it, the second sitting had mr. happyfeet conductor.

The Canon/Pantages theatre has always been one of my favorite theatres, maybe because it feels historic and it’s been around a while. The foyer remains quite grand, although I remember it being even more so when Phantom was there, probably due to the richness of the show itself and being myself being younger and wider-eyed. It does require good seats though, as the cheaper seats are waayyy back there and the stage gets lost under the balcony.

The sound mix was quite excellent, the volume shocks you a bit at the beginning but it calms down as I think Rent is the loudest song. The band was tight and the conductor was great on the timing (my only gripe would be La Vie Bohemme got a little slow in the middle and that seemed to kill a bit of its tumbling-over-itself momentum that it usually has) but it picked up and ended fairly strong. The set (while basic anyway) was pretty impressive and I thought it would be dumbed down more, but it’s the same, except maybe the Christmas tree is a little less 3D than it was at the Nederlander.

Onto (most) of the cast!

Mark – was amazing, it was like listening to the soundtrack.
Roger – not sure if it was his levels? His voice seemed to lack some body (compared to the soundtrack and movie version anyway).. I was a little disappointed, but you can’t help but cheer when they sing Rent and What You Own.
Collins – was fantastic! Same guy as from the “filmed Live on Broadway” version, he was better live.
Angel – also from the “Live on Broadway” version, was great.
Joanne – at first thought it was an understudy, but reading the insert into the programme I think is an actual replacement. Very good as well, great voice.
Mimi – Great voice, fits the role well. Sam said that her voice was “sweeter” sounding than the original Mimi, but overall I thought she was good.
Maureen – easily the weakest, I definitely think she could have been cast better. Her voice was kinda piercing/bordering on annoying and was missing some of that Idina-Menzel-Maureen-machoness? It’s also kinda silly, but she’s too short heh.
Benny – was forgettable, nothing spectacular but was good enough not to stand out as bad.

Anyway, will be interesting to see what jkha thinks after tonight. I’m really glad to have seen this cast and definitely think it was worth it.

er. dont know what to make of this.

http://www.andrewlloydwebber.com/sections/news/newsdb.php?article=50&section=news

· Opera star abruptly quits stage – and production
· Jeans-clad understudy steps in and wins ovation

Haha go understudy!

Three short days, In the Emerald City 　　NB: Seattle is AKA The Emerald City
Three short days, Full of so much to do
Ev’ry way, That you look in the city, There’s something exquisite
You’ll want to visit, Before the day’s through
…
I think I‘ve found the place where I belong!
I wanna be In this hoi polloi
So I’ll be back for good someday
To make my life and make my way
But for today, we’ll wander and enjoy:
…
What a way To be seeing the city:
Where so many roam to
We’ll call it home, too
And then, just like now
We can say: We’re just two friends
Two good friends, Two best friends
Sharing one wonderful, One short Day!

Too bad there’s no Wizardmania. And no friends to share my wonderful short days.

let me try this again, if i cant figure it out still then i am truely a n00b