Dominique Roy chats RENT's 15th Canadian Anniversary

By: Oct. 25, 2012
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It’s been 15 years since the original Canadian production of RENT took Toronto by storm, and some of the original cast members are returning for a one night only benefit concert to raise money for Fife House this coming Monday, October 29thChad Richardson, Cary Shields, Jenifer Aubrey, Gavin Hope and Dominique Roy will join cast members from Sheridan College’s production of RENT to perform in a special concert honouring Jonathan Larson’s work.

Throughout the week BWW will be speaking with members of the original cast about their experience with RENT and what the show meant to them.  Today we’re speaking with Dominique Roy, who has a long history with the production.  She began as a swing in the Canadian company and eventually played the role of Mimi on Broadway.  Dominique talks to us about how the show shaped her as a person, and how important the show’s message of love is to her:

Congratulations on celebrating 15 years since the Canadian company of RENT! What is the number one thing that still resonates with you about your RENT experience?

The message of the show! Love is everything…

Do you still stay in touch with a lot of your former cast members?

I do! I even poke them regularly on Facebook just to catch up!

What was the biggest thing that RENT taught you?

It helped shape me as a performer and turned me into a great singer.  I feel like my time in RENT really helped me find my voice.

Have you continued to go and see the show in various incarnations or do you find it hard to watch?

I saw the Broadway RENT Tour a few years ago and it was lovely to see people I knew on stage, still sharing Jonathan Larson’s beautiful music and message.

When performing in a benefit like this with younger people who are just beginning their RENT journey, what piece of advice would you give them that you would also go back and give yourself?

Just to pour your heart and soul into the material and always do your best to honour it and portray this wonderful message.

Did being in RENT change your outlook on life, love and loss at all? Do you try and live Jonathan’s message in your day to day life?

It absolutely did! The themes of the show still resonate with me and they always will because these are topics which are present in our daily human lives and struggles.  Love really is everything – and that is a message I always want to keep near and dear to my heart.

When and Where?

RENT 15th Anniversary Concert to benefit Fife House

October 29th, 2012

Daniel's Spectrum - 585 Dundas Street East

6PM

Tickets can be purchased online at https://secure3.ticket-ops.com/FIFE_HOUSE_SPOTLIGHT/eDirect

For more information about Fife House please visit their official website at http://www.fifehouse.org



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