PAVAROTTI SEES 'RENT' IN N.Y. CITY
[FINAL Edition] Buffalo News - Buffalo, N.Y. July 19, 1998 Print Media Edition: Financial edition
Copyright Buffalo News July 19, 1998
Luciano Pavarotti enjoys a good Broadway show, especially when it's based on a classic opera.
Jim Poulos, who plays the narrator in the hit musical "Rent," knew the famed tenor would be in the audience Thursday evening. At one point, Poulos paid homage by flapping a big white handkerchief, as Pavarotti does in concert.
The two performers met backstage during intermission of the show about life in New York's East Village. Pavarotti complimented the production and told Poulos that 1897's original cast of "La Boheme," the Puccini opera on which "Rent" is based, also was young.
"He seemed excited about the show," Poulos said.
Wave of handkerchief acknowledges Pavarotti
South China Morning Post, Hong Kong , July 20, 1998
Copyright South China Morning Post Ltd. Jul 20, 1998
The narrator in the Broadway musical Rent knew Luciano Pavarotti (right) would be at the show, so mid-song, Jim Poulos pulled out a white handkerchief, like Pavarotti does, and flapped it dramatically.
Poulos said he hoped the tenor would accept the act as the homage it was meant to be and not be offended.
Pavarotti went backstage and met Poulos and did not mention it, which Poulos took as acceptance. Pavarotti complemented the production of Rent, which bases its plot on La Boheme. "He seemed excited about the show and hugged me," Poulos said.
Poulos saw his first La Boheme in 1985 and saw the Australian Opera's video of the opera. "The singers were young and thin," he said. "You believed all these people were probably starving."
ok i know this isn't exactly an official news source, but this info has been buzzing among online rentheads lately :
spotted outside the Nederlander: Jim In Overalls
true, i have yet to witness this sight with my own two eyes -- feel free to add your comments to the guestbook on the main page...
Tom Sawyer on Broadway! - opening date April 26, 2001 (previews begin in CT February 27, 2001)
