Last night, FOX aired the coveted Broadway show “RENT” in a live, made-for-tv event.
The cast was star-studded, but not in the way you might expect.
Still processing this moment from #RENT #RentLive pic.twitter.com/2OpbSbBiLq
— broadway.com (@broadwaycom) January 28, 2019
Disney sweetheart, Vanessa Hudgens, played the iconic role of Maureen, alongside Tinashe as Mimi, Mario as Benjamin, Brennin Hunt as Roger, Brandon Victor Dixon as Tom Collins, Jordan Fisher as Mark Cohen, James Leyva as Angel, and Kiersey Clemons as Joanne.
While the live event wasn’t totally, well, live, due to Brennin Hunt’s injury the night prior, the show certainly had its show-stopping moments.
HE DID THAT. HE DID THAT AGAIN. @BrandonVDixon WE ARE IN AWE #RENT #RentLive pic.twitter.com/joZCcMf08Z
— broadway.com (@broadwaycom) January 28, 2019
The real question on people’s minds, though, was what did the original cast think of this remake? Beloved Broadway mega-star, Idina Menzel, tweeted during the show and marveled at Vanessa Hudgens’s performance of “Take me or Leave Me,” a song made iconic by Idina herself.
Just watched @VanessaHudgens absolutely kill it during take me or leave me. So proud of you Vanessa! ❤️
— Idina Menzel (@idinamenzel) January 28, 2019
Anthony Rapp, who played Mark Cohen in the original Broadway production, complimented the writer who adapted the show for television, Kristoffer Diaz, saying he did a “fantastic job.”
This gentleman has written a beautiful tribute to the show that changed my life and his life and so many others’ lives. And he did a fantastic job adapting it for television. Thank you @kristofferdiaz @RENTonFOX https://t.co/PTUTwGpLi6
— Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) January 27, 2019
While Broadway to television adaptations usually get brutally ripped apart by Broadway critics, the talent on the stage for this rendition of Rent, was certainly not overlooked.