RENT- So Many Damn Tenants, Who are the Originals?

Let me explain how all of this started.  I went searching on iTunes for the Original Soundtrack of "RENT".  After reading the customer reviews I decided that I didn't want to get the Movie Soundtrack, but the Original Musical Soundtrack.  Even when Googling the damn "original" I didn't come up with the names of people that I was familiar with.  A song just doesn't sound the same when the people change and I was determined to hear the original Mimi sing "would you lite my candle".

Back in February 1999 I went to see the play at the Nederlander Theatre and simply fell in love with it.  That song "seasons of love" just did something to me.  I'm not saying that Rosario Dawson can't hold a tune the way Marcy Herriall can, but like I said... the song just doesn't sound the same, and judging by the customer reviews that I read others agree with me.

Over the years that RENT has been on Broadway (started out Off-Broadway) the cast has changed alot.  Hell even Joey McIntyre Fatone fron N-Sync was down with it!!  But I want the "original" originals... (why are there so many "originals".)

So, I went digging for my playbill, because I just horde everything, and found it.  Listed below are the "Original" cast members of the 1999 play:

Roger Davis - Manley Pope
Mark Cohen - Jim Poulos
Tom Collins - Michael McElroy
Benjamin Coffin III (AKA Benny) - Jacques C. Smith
Joanne Jefferson - Alia Leon
Angel Schunard - Jose Llana
Mimi Marquez - Marcy Harriell
Maureen Johnson - Tamara Podemski

I hope this clears up the confusion for others as well as it did for me.  Now I must say this... the cast from the Movie can sing their asses off!!  Being a fan of Law and Order and seeing Jessie L. Martin also on Allie McBeal led me to a shock when I heard his singing voice.

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