Neil Patrick Harris to Perez Hilton: “Don’t be such a hater about Vanessa [Hudgens] in RENT.”

Neil Patrick Harris is directing Rent at The Hollywood Bowl Aug. 6-8 and has cast High School Musical franchise star Vanessa Hudgens as Mimi, the HIV-positive exotic dancer in the award-winning ’90s rock riff on Puccini’s La Bohème.

No other casting has been announced for the fully staged show, which will mark the musical directing debut of NPH who starred in the 1997 L.A. production and national tour of the show.

Blogger Perez Hilton is not impressed with the casting and via Twitter, encouraged Neil to “Pick someone with real talent! Was #ZoeSaldana unavailable?”

Responded Neil: Don’t be such a hater about Vanessa in RENT. She came in, smoking hot, knew the part, sang it great. Why not be open it. … Zoe is great, but Mimi is 19. I think casting someone age specific, especially at the Hollywood Bowl, will have added impact. … Mimi’s not a hooker. Addict, yes. You’re saying, because of her past roles, Vanessa can’t play that? I respectfully disagree. … Well, I hope when you see it, you like her. I look forward to reading your post-show wrap up.

Replied Perez: Ok. Ok. I will happily go see it and maybe, hopefully, be pleasantly surprised by her. … And if she’s absolutely horrible, slap a wig on ya and get ready to Take Me Out Tonight!

Last summer, The Bowl staged Guys and Dolls which featured a surprisingly terrific Jessica Biel.

Related Post: Adam Lambert says he won’t be playing Angel in Hollywood Bowl production of “Rent”