'Rent: Live' forced to air recorded performance after star breaks his ankle
Fox’s live production of the Tony Award-winning musical Rent aired Sunday night, but it wasn’t completely live.
Unfortunately, after Brennin Hunt, who played Roger Davis, broke his ankle the night before during the cast’s dress rehearsal, Fox had to resort to airing the recorded performance, which was explained by members of the cast during their first commercial break.
“Last night during our performance, in front of a live audience, one of our cast members sustained an injury,” said Vanessa Hudgens, who played Maureen Johnson. Hudgens continued saying, “A visit to the hospital confirmed that Brennin Hunt, our Roger, has broken his foot and will be unable to perform tonight.” Jordan Fisher, who played Mark Cohen, added, “Most of what you’ll see tonight will come from last night’s performance, but we have all rallied together to rework the final act so that all of us, including Brennin, and the original Broadway cast of Rent can perform it for you live.”
Viewers on Twitter were a little disappointed, like this person who pointed out:
Also, let’s be honest. Right now #Rent is just ok but imagine what it could have been LIVE. They all thought this was the dress rehearsal. You know they didn’t give it everything. #RentLive
— Kat (@kat_e_shack) January 28, 2019
While viewers at home only got to see the cast’s dress rehearsal performance, the studio audience, who attended Sunday’s live show, which was supposed to air were treated to a performance by Brennin in a wheelchair.
You wish you could see this version! @RENTonFOX #RentLive pic.twitter.com/HhEbHnN3HB
— Alison Young (@Foreverayoung) January 28, 2019
One person on Twitter shared:
It’s really too bad the producers didn’t have the guts to air what’s being performed or the live audience right now. The performers are killing it and giving a truly unique experience. #RentLive pic.twitter.com/OiSGPn4WOg
— darasmith (@darasmith) January 28, 2019
However, as promised, the final act was performed and aired live with Hunt in a full foot cast, as members of the original 1996 Broadway cast, including Idina Menzel and Taye Diggs, appeared to help close out the show.
Rent: Live aired Sunday, January 27th at 8 p.m. on Fox. Watch clips and the full performance of Rent: Live for free on Yahoo View.
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