[Bombateazer]

I went to auditions for Rent today and after my dance and singing audition (both were held together) I was immediately told I was cast as Mimi, understudy Maureen, but I've never seen Rent and don't really have much idea what it's about! I just went to the auditions on an off chance! I've now ordered the video but while I'm waiting for that to arrive could someone please help me with things like a character analysis, plot, and how you think I should play Mimi!
Thanks!

[mastachen]

Hi, first off, congratulations on being cast!

Mimi is a drug user ridden with AIDS who falls in love with Roger. Her personality seemed to be to live life as best she could, because she has come to terms that she would soon die. I think this is reflected in the song "Another Day" and she immediately finds another guy, Benny, after Roger rejects her in act 2. At the end, she almost dies from AIDS, but miraculously, her fever breaks, Roger feels bad for all the neglect, and they live to die another day. I think Mimi's performance should be energetic. She has 2 big numbers in Act I, one after another, and both are somewhat demanding, so maintaining a level of energy throughout the entire show could be tough, but if you're cast, then obviously your director thinks you can do it. Mimi is surprisingly upbeat for someone who knows that death could come at any second, and the time she departs from her upbeat-ness is when Angel dies. There, she becomes angry, taking out her frustrations on Roger, until she hears that Roger is planning on leaving town. I think upon hearing that, Mimi became so distraught that she basically allowed AIDS to get the better of her.

Anyways, hope that helps!

[Bombateazer]

Thank you that helps alot! Obviously I know she's a striper but that was about all I knew! I love challenging roles and Mimi sounds like she could be alot of fun! I can't believe I really went for auditions when I knew nothing about it! I bet I'm starting to sound like Mimi now! I've been watching Out Tonight on youtube and I think I may be falling in love with the song, and I really want to be able to do it justice! Luckily I'm very flexible so that won't be a problem...not that I've tried singing and being flexible at the same time before, so that will be a new experience!
Thank you for the congratulations! I'll keep you updated!

[SapphireNight]

Congratulations!!! I would quite like to play Mimi myself, actually, so I'm very pleased for you to get that part.
Mastachen is pretty good with the description of who Mimi is. Shes often seen as having a strong friendship with Angel (Live for the moment drag queen, who brings a warmth of friendship to the group), but this is most strongly seen in the film. Its up to your director whether your just aquaintences or best friends with your Angel, and how you feel yourself.
As much as Mimi 'lives for the moment', I feel that thats a philosophy which shes trying to aspire to (probably inspired by Angel), but sometimes not quite succeeding in, dragged down by her addiction. And in terms of her addiction, I sometimes feel that shes almost torn sometimes between who she loves- the drugs, or Roger (who she interacts with for the first time at the beginning of the musical). Roger is a recovering addict himself, and his ex committed suicide, because it gave them both aids, and she couldnt cope. So Roger is not totally approving, yet knowledgable about her drug problem. Innitially, he pushed Mimi away, fearing that she'll become like his ex, but then he comes to terms with the fact that he has feeling for her. Then has to deal with the fact that she is is controlled by her drugs.

Enjoy watching the film, it is definatly a good watch, but dont forget that the film itself is an adaptation, so its not exactly the same as the stage version. There are also some songs not used in the film. If you want, I can send you some of the songs from the origional cast recording. Whats nice is that appart from a couple of people, they brought back the origional stage leads for the film cast.

Let me know how things go, how they work out, your rehersals etc. I am very keen to keep up with how things are going!

[Bombateazer]

Oh wow! I would love the songs thank you so much! I have now watched the film and can say as far as the film goes I am now a total Rent-Head lol! I've had a few "rehearsals" - I put this in quotations as most of these have been getting to know everyone in the cast sessions, but I have had the chance to sing through a few songs such as Out Tonight, Another Day, Light My Candle and Goodbye Love, all of which I love!
I will update as often as possible!