LOOK OUT MAGGIE'S BACK

[CANINO]

Posted: 1/30/04 at 1:02am

YEP THAT HOT LIL' NUMBER MAGGIE BENJAMIN IS MAUREEN IN RENT AGAIN SO FOLKS IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN RENT YET CHECK HER OUT SHE'S AMAZING AND A SWEETHEART TO BOOT (MOST OF THE TIME!)

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 1/30/04 at 1:05am

Oh darnit. I thought you meant Martha "Maggie" Raye.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 1/30/04 at 1:18am

See I just saw her tonight and wasn't impressed at all. I thought her voice was very plain.

[CANINO]

Posted: 1/30/04 at 1:20am

Really? I'm eager to hear what you would like to share.

[JimVukovich]

Posted: 1/30/04 at 1:34am

ShbrtAlley44 - Would you define "very plain voice"? I don't know Maggie, I've never heard her sing, I've never seen her act, etc...........One thing I'll say, is that the few people I know that DO know her, describe her as an amazingly talented and unique performer.

What are your thoughts? I'm offering this question with the utmost respect. Updated On: 1/30/04 at 01:34 AM

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 1/30/04 at 7:57am

How is her version of "Mr. Paganini"?

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 9:19pm

I just didn't think she did anything special with the part. It was almost uncomfortable watching her do "Over the Moon." She didn't have a very impressive voice. I was much more impressed with Christina Fadale. I do, however, love Krystal Washington as Mimi.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 9:29pm

You prefered the Fadale Screech over the Benjamin Belt?!? Do you have ears and taste?!? Maggie has a VERY powerful disinct belt. True enough she doesn't do this one particular riff in "Take Me Or Leave Me" when she sings "everynight, who's in your bed?!?" anymore.. but her voice is quite impressive.

Jim, if you would like to hear Maggie singing "Take Me Or Leave Me", I can help you out there.

[Becky]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 9:41pm

You liked Cristina better? You love Krystal? You lost me there. We *so* have different tastes.

I think Maggie has to be one of my favorite people to ever play Maureen.....

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 9:42pm

Yes, dear, I do have taste. Perhaps you have a different opinion, but that doesn't mean I have no taste. In this case, I thought Fadale was better. I didn't get Maureen's sexuality from Maggie Benjamin. I don't know, maybe it was an off night. Her voice is powerful, yes, but ordinary.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 9:45pm

becky, I personally enjoy Krystal quite a lot.. I think the problem most peopl have with her is that they end up being turned off because she doesn't play a "typical" Mimi.. because every complaint I ever hear about her ultimately boils to the fact that she does it differently..

My favorite Mimis in no particular order ::
Caren Lyn Manuel
Antonique Smith
Shayna Steele
Karmine Alers
Krystal Washington
Yassmin Alers



Maggie's voice is ordinary?!? WHAT?!? Updated On: 2/3/04 at 09:45 PM

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 9:59pm

To me, it's ordinary. If you like her, I'm happy for you. Can I ask about your comment about the "typical" Mimi? I'm curious as to how Krystal does it differently. Updated On: 2/3/04 at 09:59 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 10:05pm

Krystal actually manages to sustain notes whens he sings.. a LOT of Mimi's I have seen only riff the hell out of every note.. Krystal doesn't do that.
I have noticed many people comment on that.
And people TRY to pick apart the smallest details about her in order to criticeize her
And to me, the demeanor that she has on the stage.. just a quality about her that I can't quite put my finger on.. is different is well...

[cbrown828]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 10:28pm

she's no idina.

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 10:46pm

I don't follow Rent anymore (it really began to scare me) but hasn't Maggie come and gone about 12 times?

I have seen Maggie, Cristina, Antonique and Caren play Maureen...Cristina was my favorite, Antonique was incredible, Maggie's very, very, very FUNNY, and Caren...while she has a really amazing voice, just didn't do it for me as Maureen. Maybe it was her looks? Don't know...I'm sure she was great as Mimi, though.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 10:50pm

Yes, Maggie has come and gone quite a bit.

I like Maggie. I used to LOVE Maggie, but I started to realize she kind of had a take on the character that was a little too ridiculous. Still, I'm excited to see her again. We'll see if I reinstate the love.

I loved Cristina too. It took awhile, but it eventually did come. My other favorite Maureen is Antonique Smith, who I thought was incredible, and better as Maureen than Mimi. All the non-eq Maureens I've seen basically don't do it for me, and neither does Kendra Kassebaum.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 10:52pm

I agree about Maggie's silliness.. but that voice gets me every time.

[starlight2]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 10:55pm

Broadway Guy, I do respect you, BUT.... NO!!!! She is not the MiMi "RENT" needs now to keep it alive on Broadway! She has No Feeling! never has had that..she has just "sorta the look" and happens to fit into the pants. No personality in the theatre or outside of it, check the many "Compulsive Bowler" shots and their take on her Tour with "Rent" last year! Very few upbeat and positive reviews on her since she took over the role,or on the Tour, obviously they are having a hard time filling it on Broadway!!!!! but I hope they do find the cast that keeps it afloat for the next year! God Bless Broadway! and those talents that grace it's presence every evening.

[starlight2]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 11:05pm

ok, that last post was regarding Mimi,Krystal, not good...very bad...answering Broadway Guy's post... not regarding Maggie as "Maureen", she is the ultimate and I wish HER well! just clarifying.

[GirlfriendFromCanada]

Posted: 2/3/04 at 11:12pm

I don't agree about Krystal not being liked among the Rent community. There is quite a large community of people who enjoy her very much, both from the tour and on Broadway. I'm one of them.

Krystal just seems to be the love or hate type of performer. There is hardly anyone in the middle, but I think she's great. I've never seen a Mimi I haven't liked though.

[localonecrew]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 8:52pm

maggie benjamin during the 2000 presidential election said that she didnt think it was fair that Bush got to run again. she also said that she would never vote for gore cause it sounded awful to say president gore. that his name was to ugly for him to be president.

[ShbrtAlley44]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 9:30pm

And?

[NYCbabe3789]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 9:39pm

well thanks for the info localonecrew...and this is relevant HOW?

Cristina is some one who I had to see in the role several times before I really appreciated her. Maggie I liked right away. Her voice seemed a little hoarse last time I saw her though.

And I love Krystal, her voice gives me chills, and I have never seen her do less than 100%.

[Becky]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 10:39pm

broadwayguy2, about Krystal.

I went back and read what I wrote - and I realized it sounded like I didn't like her. I actually did like her (I saw her for the first time in the non-equity tour and commented that I would put her up against any equity Mimi I've seen). What I meant to write was that I didn't get how they said Maggie was ordinary but loved Krystal (who is good, but nothing incredibly memorable in the history of Mimis). It could be that they truly love those girls (Cristina and Krystal), but I often hear the most recent performers listed as favorites these days - often times because they are the first performers some of these people are seeing. I also agree with a lot of your Mimi picks -- but I think my favs still are Daphne, Marcy, Yas, and Karmine. Pretty much in no order, except Daphne really had something I can't even describe and is probably the best I've seen. The other three are personal favorites that left huge impressions. Ooooh, and Krysten Cummings put on one hell of a show and I loved every minute - except that I will concede that I understand why some didn't care for her Mimi Updated On: 2/4/04 at 10:39 PM

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 10:49pm

Daph of course was wonderful as she had such a close role in creating Mimi, but physically, I never "bought" her as 19 but looking 16...

Marcy is another good Mimi.. very good.. I enjoy her portrayal a lot.. she just isn't on THAT list...


Krysten is a FIERCE Mimi


Saskia Garel is another standout Mimi as well...

I would like to see, if they MUST recycle after Krystal leaves and if the show is still running, Antonique or Caren... though I would like NEW blood in that show..