spotlight
“i guess the producers thought that it would be a good idea to build a tour
around the two of us, to see if that would continue throughout the country,” he
said. “it seemed like a great way to close that chapter of performing in the show
for me; to take what it was, at least partially, when it was the original cast and take
it out to the rest of the country.”
For Pascal, the passage of time also helps in keeping the role of Roger fresh each
time he takes to the stage, and he explained how the role is always evolving after
playing him on and off for more than a decade.
“it’s a very different experience this time,” he stated. “There’s not all of that
emotional baggage that was there when we first performed the show on Broad-
way; the death of Jonathan Larson and all of the stuff that went on with the rapid
success of the show.
The role is different because i’m a different person, and i also bring 12 years of
age to the role that i didn’t have before, and a lot of life experience. i think i’ve had
more life experience in the 12 years since i did Rent, than in the 25 years i had lived
up until that point. so, i think in subtle ways it all shows up in the performance.”
since Pascal has spent his time in the trenches with all aspects of Rent, he was
quick to cite his favorite aspect of being associated with the phenomenon of the
show’s endurance.
“The effect that it has on the audience,” Pascal answered. “Being involved in
something, and first realizing that we were touching people so deeply – that’s an
incredible, incredible gift to be able to be a part of something that does that for
people. it’s the best part of this whole experience.”
Another way that Rent has moved the masses was when it became a film in
2005. As directed by Chris Columbus (the first two Harry Potter films), many of the
cast involved in the original stage production were invited back to reprise their
Photography by Joan Marcus
roles on celluloid, Pascal included.
he saw the filmmaking process as a natural off-shoot of what he did come
performance-time nightly. that “it’s just the greatest cast i could ever imagine!”
“once he [Columbus] called action and we were doing the scene – they were since Rent has taken its Broadway bow, and is enjoying success with the na-
the same moments and the same words and the same intentions that i had when tional touring company – is there a bittersweet feeling for Pascal to be a part of
i was doing it on the stage,” Pascal reflected. “so, it wasn’t that different in that the show in this stage of its history?
respect. But it was a great experience unto itself – it encapsulated something very “it would have been nice if the show ran forever, but it ran for 13 years and that’s
important to me at a certain point in my life.” amazing,” he recanted about the seventh longest-running Broadway show. “it’s
And, one might think that not having the immediacy of a live audience to feed historic at this point.
off of would prove to be difficult during the filming - it was not the case, as Pascal “And certainly at this point in my life, and today’s economy with what’s going
detailed. “interestingly enough, that wasn’t really a problem,” he relayed. “The on with jobs; there’s a lot of my friends in the business who don’t have jobs, i’m
atmosphere on the set of the film was so much fun, because of Chris Columbus thrilled to have a job. As we tour, you see a lot of people are hurting, it’s obvious.”
and his generosity as a person and as a director. As for Pascal’s life after Rent, the married father of two has his fair share of gainful
“it was a great little family we formed, cast and crew. And again, there was a real employment lined up for him and seems on par with the message of Rent to not
sense of fun on the set; and also a sense of urgency that we do the best job we let the tough times get the better of him.
could do, because we were now committing it to film.” “There are a couple of different musical theater projects on the horizon, one of
Pascal has also delved into Rent-free projects, with turns in other films, such as which i’m putting together as a producer and to star in it,” he revealed.
School of Rock with Jack Black, and on stage he starred as the original Radames in And in that same spirit of getting past adversity, a number of organizations
the Tim Rice and elton John smash musical, Aida. are partnering up with Broadway san diego in fundraising efforts through ticket
The actor said the project was “a great next step for me, in terms of a leading role sales of Rent.
on Broadway.” And, as far as the reported movie version with Beyonce Knowles They include: the LGBT Community Center, in support of The Center’s youth
rumored to be involved in its production, Pascal has not been approached to don housing Project, Big Brothers and Big sisters of san diego, the skinny Gene Proj-
Radames’ garb again, yet. ect – a non-profit devoted to prevention of diabetes. Among other organizations
But that is fine with him, as his re-emergence into the world of Rent will be keep- participating in this fundraising are: the mt. Carmel drama Boosters, the UCsd
ing him plenty busy for the next year. staff Association, san diego hospice and Grossmont high school.
This touring company of Rent features both seasoned veterans, as well as vari- Fundraising tickets can be purchased through any of these organizations to
ous members of the original Broadway production, which took its final curtain call support these worthwhile causes.
on The Great White Way last year after 5,124 performances.
Pascal is glad to report that all of the actors get along famously and exclaimed For Rent showtimes and ticket information, log onto
www.BroadwaysD.com.
64 RAGE monthly | MARCH 2009
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