Must List 2005: The cast of ''Rent''
Names/Ages Jesse L. Martin, 36; Idina Menzel, 31; Wilson Jermaine Heredia, 33; Taye Diggs, 33; Rosario Dawson, 26; Tracie Thoms, 30; Anthony Rapp, 33; Adam Pascal, 34.
Mustworthiness On paper, this probably sounds like one of the most ill-conceived projects of the year. Take a much beloved Pulitzer- and Tony-winning musical; reunite the original cast members, who are now a decade too old to play the roles they made famous (Diggs spent last year playing a dad, for chrissakes); and pair them with Chris Columbus, a director best known for working with Macaulay Culkin and Harry Potter. Menzel and Martin, explain yourselves!
Song in the Tooth ''It's a hard show to sing and I thought, God, nine years later, who knows what'll come out?'' says Martin (Tom). ''But it's even better.''
'Rent' Uncontrol ''I just made sure I kept whatever spontaneity I had about it then,'' says Menzel (Maureen). ''And yet, having more experience under my belt, I've discovered more levels.''
New Girl on the Block Rosario Dawson took over the role of Mimi from Daphne Rubin-Vega. ''She has the right spirit for the show. She's the type of person everyone likes the minute they meet her,'' notes Menzel.
New Guy on the Block Columbus, really? ''As you can probably guess, we were all over [Chris] about his cinematic vision,'' says Martin, who assures us the film, like the play, will be ''dark and gritty.'' Okay, good job, guys. We're intrigued.
Next Rent is in theaters Nov. 11.
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