RENT and the Olympics

Ok, I fail at updating. I did go see RENT, and it was definitely good, especially for the beginning of the run. Different costumes and casting surprised me, but pleasantly. Roger in tight leather? Mimi and Maureen in short skirts and black patterned hose that reminded me of the ones that springmornings got. The casting was intriguing. First off, probably two thirds of the cast had been in Rocky Horror or HAIR, which amused me. Angel was perfect. The most fem Angel I've ever seen. Mimi, Benny, and Collins were races that were not the norm (white, Latino, and white respectively), but it was worth it in the end. The singing was great even if some of the phrasing was funky and the chemistry wasn't sport on, but nothing so off that it ruined anything, just enough to make me wish I could afford to see it again. I know it sounds like I wasn't happy, but it was actually very well done, and fun to be sitting in front of people who'd never seen it before. I was thrilled to hear they enjoyed it. Different than when I saw it in 2006. Also, I wondered if the play would strike me any differently this time around, but Roger/Mimi is still my favorite plot line, and Goodbye Love and Your Eyes still break my heart.

On to other parts of my weeks, the Olympics started and the figure skating and snowboarding have amused me to no end. Shaun White has double gold in halfpipe and Shen/Zhao finally got gold in pairs skating. The latter I cared about because I learned a good bit about them in the book about the Sale/Pelletier gold medal scandal of 2002. They were together, but had to retire to get married. They came back for one last chance. The men's skate went to Evan Lysacek, an American, for the first time since Calgary. Canadian ice is home sweet home? I know many people wanted Johnny Weir to medal, but even though I like him, I wasn't surprised. I love his exhibition piece, but he'll be a better pro than amateur I think, if that's what he wants. Otherwise, he needs to get in touch with Brian Boitano and figure out how to play the game a little better. Also, we've gotten more alpine skiing medals than normal. After blanking in Torino, Bode Miller has medaled three times, in downhill, super-g, and super-combi. Julia Mancuso has two silvers in downhill and super-g while Lindsey Vonn has gold and bronze in downhill and super-g. Not much left except the women's figure skating. I've thoroughly enjoyed watching the coverage every night and checking for daily spoilers. I've missed sports of late.