A Word from Roger

Has anyone seen RENT recently? My buddy Tim Howar (who I met doing ON THE TOWN in London) is now in town playing Roger in RENT on Broadway. I checked it out a few weeks ago and he's unbelievable! When we worked together in London Tim had to sing legit tenor as Ozzie (don't forget we were at the English National Opera). But he teased us constantly with local gigs as the lead singer of his rock band Van Tramp. How a guy can sing high operatic C's and then head off to a pub to kick vocals like Rod Stewart in his glory days, is beyond me. So when i found out Tim was coming to town to play Roger I flipped out. And for good reason...he's the best Roger in RENT I've ever seen.

Timmy, how's the band?

Tim: We're great! We're shooting our first music video here in NY in two weeks for our track "Something" at the Bitter End and then up at Rockefeller Center, and other locations around town. The band's coming in from London and we're genuinely excited!

How are you holding up in RENT with all those kick ass rock vocals?

Tim: Very well. It's actually a low show for me in my range. But emotionally it's a roller coaster and I'm a Six Flaggs type a guy :) The 10th anniversary is coming up and I'm proud to be a part of it. April 18th is the 10th anniversary of the Broadway cast and then a special benefit will be held on the 24th to raise money for 3 separate charities with members of the original cast performing & all alumni including the current cast joining them for the Seasons of Love finale. Big enough plug?

Do you prefer living in New York or the West End?

Tim: Both really. One of my kids' playmates found a bag of unidentified drug substance in Central Park's new playground, but then again, I found a broken syringe in the park near our flat in London. No but really, I did. No but really...at least they weren't mine. Ha! Ok, really I love New York...spring is here...I've realized my one of my dreams--being on Broadway, close to all my U.S. friends and it's pissing rain in London right now.

Alright bro...On The Town revival in '07 at the ENO? You, me, and Garcia?

Tim: Pay us times three-a.