Ever since I was a kid, before I even had a clue what RENT was, I latched on to "Mimi from RENT" because I'd read it somewhere and it sounded...cultured. I had a vague idea she was either a hooker, a stripper, or some demimonde, disgraceful creature, but "Mimi from RENT" stayed in my lexicon for whenever I would look at myself and think "Hmm, bit on the sexy side here."

Like when I was stepping out of my Belle costume after Scene 5 in my school musical. Took one look in the mirror -- me with my bicycle shorts, dance heels, and flesh-colored spaghetti strap -- and cried, laughingly, "I look like Mimi from RENT!"

I didn't know what Mimi was or what she looked like -- I hadn't yet watched the Tony Awards on TV; I would later that year -- but that was my gut reaction. And so it remained in my psyche.

When, in my freshman year of college (a.k.a. NOW), I met my theater-loving bunch of friends (Cheez, Mike, Inah, Milly, JV - The Ghosts of Dizon), RENT and Mimi became a reality. And when my Tita Gigi announced that the rock opera was coming to the Philippines, I swore up and down I would practice until my diaphragm fell out (that's the muscle, not the birth control apparatus, kids.) every song where Mimi even made a 'eep'. I bought the movie soundtrack (sadly, only the highlights), read the plot on Wikipedia, and instantly fell for the role. I would audition for it, I swore to my friends -- one wanted to be Angel, the other entertained thoughts of being Roger.

But when RENT finally came, after I had sung 'Light My Candle' so many times my voice had begun to acquire the husk of Rosario Dawson, the reality hit straight home:


Auditions set for musical Rent


Calling all talented artists! Now’s your chance to join the cast of Rent, Broadway’s award-winning rock musical. Produced by 9 Works Theatrical and directed by Robbie Guevara, Rent will open in February 2010.


Production is looking for males and females aged 18 years old and above, who can sing, dance and possess a deep passion for musical theater.


The roles at stake are Roger Davis (tenor, 20s), Mark Cohen (baritone/tenor, 20s), Mimi Marquez (mezzo soprano, 18 to mid 20s), Maureen Johnson (mezzo soprano with belt, 20s), Angel Schunard (tenor/soprano, 20s), Tom Collins (baritone, 20s to mid 30s), Benjamin Coffin II (baritone, 20s), Joanne Jefferson (alto/mezzo-soprano, 20s to mid 30s) and chorus (all voice types, 18 and above).


Registration is on Oct. 9, 10 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at Suite 302, Manila Luxury Condominiums, Pearl Drive, Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Bring a copy of your resumé with your latest photo (3R). Online registration will be open on Oct. 12 and 13 at [link]. Auditions are set for Oct. 16 and 17. Bring your own music sheets and/or minus-one. Prepare to sing two pop-rock songs that will show your vocal range. Songs from Rent or any other Broadway musical will not be allowed. Venue is to be announced.


Rent is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), 421 West 54th St., New York, New York, with tel. no. (212) 541-4684 and Web site [link]. For inquiries, contact JonJon Martin at 0916-651-6287 or e-mail rent_auditions@9workstheatrical.com or visit the Web site [link]. For show buying and block buying inquiries, contact Anna at 557-5860, 0917-8901103 or e-mail info@9workstheatrical.com. Limited slots are still available.

Mimi was not to be. Not now, anyway.

But I am not discouraged. I have plays to write and school to attend to and RENT will wait (I tell myself over and over.) for a girl who has wanted to be Mimi even before she knew who Mimi was (I thought she was French when I was a kid -- Spanish proved to be more accessible.). RENT can wait for the Feline of ShatteredCity.

RENT, and Mimi, will wait for me.

You'll see boys...You'll see boys...

xoxo,
S