By Jawn Murray, BlackVoices.com
Back in 2000 before her Grammy-nominated debut album, 'Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1' was released, soul siren Jill Scott performed in the Canadian cast of the long-running musical, 'Rent.'
The Philadelphia-bred singer, who was discovered by Amir "?uestlove" Thompson of The Roots shortly before then, polished her skills as a performer by captivating crowds in the acclaimed theatrical production.
The 35-year-old R&B diva, who is currently on a national tour promoting her gold-certified fourth album, 'The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3,' said she was shocked to learn that the Broadway version of 'Rent' would be closing on June 1.
"I am really sorry that 'Rent' is closing," she told me after a recent concert performance. "But it did have a good run! Broadway specifically."
'Rent' opened on Broadway in February 1996, two and half weeks after its creator Jonathan Larson died of an aortic aneurysm. Larson had been developing the music for seven years and died the night of the production's last dress rehearsal.
"He never had an opportunity to see the play," Scott explained. "So that's the kind of legacy the play itself has and the kind of energy that it has behind it."
As a writer and poet who often conveys real-life stories into her own art, Scott believes that Larson sharing the stories of his personal friends, the artists and addicts in his neighborhood was a driving force behind 'Rent's' popularity.
"It was an amazing play about people who were dying from AIDS and poverty. The combination of the two. They were starving artists," she emphasized. "I still think that it is the most musical, modern musical show there is! It's strong rock music." 
Despite her appreciation for theater and recognizing how it helped hone her ability to deliver on stage, Scott is apprehensive about the possibility of joining a Broadway production or doing theater in general.
"Um, my mind would have to change," she smiled. "My mentality would have to change. Being in theater is very difficult. You're doing eight shows a week. A lot of credit is due to those who do theater. You wear the same clothes, under the same lights; you sing the same songs at the same time in the same way. Uh, I can't! I got a good week in me. Maybe three maximum! But after that I'm going to break out. And if you don't know, in theater, when you break out and go left, when they expect you to be exact as they planned it, you get notes. After four notes you're excused. I got three [while in 'Rent']. I had to break out!"
Scott seems to only be getting good "notes" in regards to her current concert tour, 'The Real Thing Tour.'
The Baltimore Sun raved: "Scott's stellar vocals, illuminating stage presence and humorously profane stage patter were treats."
'The Real Thing Tour,' which features neo-soul singer Raheem DeVaughn as the opening act, has dates scheduled through April.
(Learn about Jill Scott's new line of bra's in Ester
1. Jawn! You always bring us the heat baby! Keep it comin'! You're the best!
Nomistresshere at 9:29PM on Mar 4th 2008