La Cage Vs Rent

UDJAT Profile PhotoUDJAT Profile Photo
UDJAT
Stand-by
joined:4/25/04
Stand-by
joined:
4/25/04
La Cage Vs Rent#0
Posted: 5/10/05 at 12:42pm
I'm gonna be in NYC this weekend and I really wanted to catch something while I was there. Everything that I intended on seeing is pretty much sold out. So now I'm torn between seeing Rent or La Cage. I haven't seen either. I've been dying to Rent for a very long time but I know it's not going anywhere anytime soon so I feel I can see it whenever. Then there's La Cage, which I'm not sure if it will be good and if I would enjoy it.

Can I get some recommendations on which one I should see????
umgeoboy Profile Photoumgeoboy Profile Photo
umgeoboy
Broadway Legend
joined:5/19/03
Broadway Legend
joined:
5/19/03
re: La Cage Vs Rent#1
Posted: 5/10/05 at 12:45pm
I would definitely see LaCage. I saw it last weekend and it is a great show. The cast is wonderful! Robert Goullet has an amazing voice, and Gary Beach was just nominated for a Tony for his role.

Rent has been on broadway forever and the current cast of rent is far from my favorite cast.
"Judy Garland, Jimmy Dean, You tragedy Queen" ~ Taboo

"Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his d!ck in...ex's getting std's...schadenfruede" ~ Ave Q

"when dangers near, exploit their fear" ~ Reefer Madness the Musical
spiderdj82 Profile Photospiderdj82 Profile Photo
spiderdj82
Broadway Legend
joined:6/24/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
6/24/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#2
Posted: 5/10/05 at 12:46pm
I like both, but I am a major RENThead so I would have to say RENT because if I didn't, it would go against my nature. re: La Cage Vs Rent
"They're eating her and then they're going to eat me. OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!!" -Troll 2
Elphaba Profile PhotoElphaba Profile Photo
Elphaba
Broadway Legend
joined:1/12/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
1/12/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#3
Posted: 5/10/05 at 12:47pm
RENT........once you see it, you'll wonder why you waited
It is ridiculous to set a detective story in New York City. New York City is itself a detective story... AGATHA CHRISTIE, Life magazine, May 14, 1956
broadwayguy2
Broadway Legend
joined:5/18/03
Broadway Legend
joined:
5/18/03
re: La Cage Vs Rent#4
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:15pm
LaCage.

If you see Rent, you'll walk away thinking "there were four good people in that show and everyone else was disgraceful". The staging has become sloppy, the cast for the most part has become lazy and all should be fired and the show recast with the exception of four - Caren Lyn Manuel, Josh Kobak, Merle Dandridge, and Diana Kaarina (WASTED as a swing there). Those four - outstanding. The rest.... pathetic in every way. Subpar performers slacking off on stage, openly playing games and jokes - true, it happens on EVERY Broadway stage, but the cast of Rent takes it to new levels. They have NO shame at all. Sadly, when the cast spends the entire show laughing and having random conversations on stage and missing cues and goofing off, the Rentheads consider it a "good" show because the cast 'had fun'.

Go for La Cage... Gary Beach and Bryan batt.. Gavin Creel... and the Cagelles - of particular note - Andy Pellick, Joey Dudding, Will Taylor (he can have a carreer as a Nicole Kidman drag queen after this!), and super swing Paul McGill.. all deserve HIGH praise.
UDJAT Profile PhotoUDJAT Profile Photo
UDJAT
Stand-by
joined:4/25/04
Stand-by
joined:
4/25/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#5
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:18pm
I haven't heard the soundtrack for La Cage. How are the vocals and overal score of the show?

BTW - thanks for everyone's comments so far. re: La Cage Vs Rent
timote316
Broadway Legend
joined:7/20/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
7/20/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#6
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:20pm
Cast recording. They haven't made a cast recording of the new production of La Cage.

Personally, I would go see Rent, but that's just me.
LightMyCandle125 Profile PhotoLightMyCandle125 Profile Photo
LightMyCandle125
Broadway Star
joined:1/19/05
Broadway Star
joined:
1/19/05
re: La Cage Vs Rent#7
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:21pm
the la cage revival doesn't have a recording out *yet* but i would agree with those who have said la cage. you're right when you say rent will be around for a while (even though i love that show more than life)...i would catch la cage or otherwise you may regret it when it leaves *tear*. plus, it's nominated for best revival!!!
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
alphieboy Profile Photoalphieboy Profile Photo
alphieboy
Broadway Legend
joined:8/1/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
8/1/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#8
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:21pm
I would personaly go with "Rent". Although I do agree with what broadwayguy had to say about the lack of focus within the cast. I have seen Rent most recently at the end of March, so I can confirm this.
"If I have something to say, the whole world (BroadwayWorld) should hear it." - Thenardier
sally1112 Profile Photosally1112 Profile Photo
sally1112
Broadway Legend
joined:4/13/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
4/13/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#9
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:28pm
See Rent, even a "weak" performance of this show will change your life.
camerangel Profile Photocamerangel Profile Photo
camerangel
Broadway Legend
joined:10/30/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
10/30/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#10
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:30pm
I Haven't seen La Cage, but I saw Rent in March and Hated several members of the cast.. I wanted to jump up on stage and kill several of them.. I'm a die hard Renthead and I wish this wasn't the case.. Maybe they have improved since then, but I dont know... I am happy to say that Marcus IS amazing, I haven't seen his MR Jefferson, which is what he's playing on broadway, but his Collins is F*cking Amazing..
"All work and no smut makes Cammy lose her edge." ~DG

"Someday I'm going to have a baby and I'm gonna name her L'il Mimi Marquez and I and will sing to her every day and when she's a toddler I will say "L'il Mimi Marquez, clad only in a bubble diaper, will perform her famous play pen handcuff dance to the sounds of breast milk being pumped!" ~Kringas
TheGaIsSilent Profile PhotoTheGaIsSilent Profile Photo
TheGaIsSilent
Broadway Legend
joined:3/25/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
3/25/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#11
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:36pm
FYI, Merle Dandridge is on some kind of hiatus. I think she'll be back in June but I'm not sure.
JOHN LITHGOW I just realized, your last name is Butz! Both "Norbert" AND "Butz" are in your name! You must have gotten picked on a lot as a child!
Albin Profile PhotoAlbin Profile Photo
Albin
Broadway Legend
joined:5/15/03
Broadway Legend
joined:
5/15/03
re: La Cage Vs Rent#12
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:37pm
Depends on what you'd rather see: traditional musical comedy vs more contemporary rock musical.
camerangel Profile Photocamerangel Profile Photo
camerangel
Broadway Legend
joined:10/30/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
10/30/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#13
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:38pm
I had heard Merle was gone, but nothing else.. So she IS coming back right??

"All work and no smut makes Cammy lose her edge." ~DG

"Someday I'm going to have a baby and I'm gonna name her L'il Mimi Marquez and I and will sing to her every day and when she's a toddler I will say "L'il Mimi Marquez, clad only in a bubble diaper, will perform her famous play pen handcuff dance to the sounds of breast milk being pumped!" ~Kringas
Theatreboy49 Profile PhotoTheatreboy49 Profile Photo
Theatreboy49
Broadway Legend
joined:3/8/05
Broadway Legend
joined:
3/8/05
re: La Cage Vs Rent#14
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:40pm
RENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's way better than La Cage beacause the revival was not anywhere as good as the original.
<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 07.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado
jonartdesigns Profile Photojonartdesigns Profile Photo
jonartdesigns
Broadway Legend
joined:5/15/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
5/15/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#15
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:42pm
go see la cage... wait for the next rent tour to start up, the last one's cast was far superior to the broadway one
My Icon "Swiney" the Swine Flu Mascot- art by me. "Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel
camerangel Profile Photocamerangel Profile Photo
camerangel
Broadway Legend
joined:10/30/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
10/30/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#16
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:45pm
Jonart, that is soo very true, but you never know how good the next tour will be.. Hopefully just as amazing if not more so..
"All work and no smut makes Cammy lose her edge." ~DG

"Someday I'm going to have a baby and I'm gonna name her L'il Mimi Marquez and I and will sing to her every day and when she's a toddler I will say "L'il Mimi Marquez, clad only in a bubble diaper, will perform her famous play pen handcuff dance to the sounds of breast milk being pumped!" ~Kringas
South Fl Marc Profile PhotoSouth Fl Marc Profile Photo
South Fl Marc
Broadway Legend
joined:6/23/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
6/23/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#17
Posted: 5/10/05 at 1:49pm
I love the show La Cage - so considering whats playing now on Broadway - see Rent.
Now living in DC. I really have to change my name on the board.
alphieboy Profile Photoalphieboy Profile Photo
alphieboy
Broadway Legend
joined:8/1/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
8/1/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#18
Posted: 5/10/05 at 2:16pm
I also enjoyed him as Collins. Frenchie went on as Joanne and stole the show! The girl is amazing, and is worth paying the price to hear her Season's of Love solo alone. I also enjoyed Ms. Alers her Mimi was great, and I loved her take on the character. Sheilds and Cary were okay, while the girl who played Maureen was truly awful, and she scared me!
"If I have something to say, the whole world (BroadwayWorld) should hear it." - Thenardier
camerangel Profile Photocamerangel Profile Photo
camerangel
Broadway Legend
joined:10/30/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
10/30/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#19
Posted: 5/10/05 at 2:26pm
Well I can't say anything for or against Destan as Collins because I haven't seen his portrayal yet. But Marcus has this ability to make your breath catch and tears to well in your eyes.. Especially in his ICY:R..

Cary I had a hard time not hating.. I have very strong opinions about him.. Matt I think was good, but went for the cheap laughs a little too much.. Carmine, was good, I loved some of her acting choices. And yes I will agree that Frenchie has an amazing SOL solo..
"All work and no smut makes Cammy lose her edge." ~DG

"Someday I'm going to have a baby and I'm gonna name her L'il Mimi Marquez and I and will sing to her every day and when she's a toddler I will say "L'il Mimi Marquez, clad only in a bubble diaper, will perform her famous play pen handcuff dance to the sounds of breast milk being pumped!" ~Kringas
UDJAT Profile PhotoUDJAT Profile Photo
UDJAT
Stand-by
joined:4/25/04
Stand-by
joined:
4/25/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#20
Posted: 5/10/05 at 2:56pm
The comments I've received is exactly what I wanted to hear. I'm sure I'm going to see Rent eventually and I'm sure I'm gonna end up seeing it multiple times. So with that being said, I think I will be seeing La Cage this weekend providing I get decent seats. Hopefully the show wont disappoint me - I'm sure to let you all know either way.
GirlforTartaglia Profile PhotoGirlforTartaglia Profile Photo
GirlforTartaglia
Broadway Legend
joined:12/30/04
Broadway Legend
joined:
12/30/04
re: La Cage Vs Rent#21
Posted: 5/10/05 at 3:03pm
See La Cage for the Tony noms and everything, but maybe try the Rent lotto if you're up for 2 shows! :)

Rent is gonna be there for a while, but I'd see La Cage just in case it goes.
And the other thing about the Phantom Lady was, Bert, she realized, in the city that never sleeps... What did she realize, Kitten? That all the songs she'd listened to, all the love songs, that they were only songs. What's wrong with that? Nothing, if you don't believe in them. But she did, you see. She believed in enchanted evenings, and she believed that a small cloud passed overhead and cried down on a flower bed, and she even believed there was breakfast to be had... Where? On Pluto. The mysterious, icy wastes of Pluto.
InfiniteTheaterFrenzy Profile PhotoInfiniteTheaterFrenzy Profile Photo
InfiniteTheaterFrenzy
Broadway Legend
joined:1/22/05
Broadway Legend
joined:
1/22/05
re: La Cage Vs Rent#22
Posted: 5/10/05 at 3:05pm
RENT!!! I used to be a huge Renthead, but I completely overdid it, and to detox myself, went 3 years without seeing the show. I also had great distaste for the way the casts were deteriorating... But I saw Rent last week. And I was totally shocked/ pleasantly surprised. This cast has a lot of talent, and a lot of heart, and reminded me why this show goes beyond what so many others only try to be.
[title of show] on Broadway. it's time. believe.
ikmbway
Broadway Legend
joined:2/22/05
Broadway Legend
joined:
2/22/05
re: La Cage Vs Rent#23
Posted: 5/10/05 at 3:33pm
RENT! Go see Cary he is great!!
ikmbway
Broadway Legend
joined:2/22/05
Broadway Legend
joined:
2/22/05
re: La Cage Vs Rent#24
Posted: 5/10/05 at 3:33pm
sorry double post
Updated On: 5/10/05 at 03:33 PM