4 observations on RENT

[openstage2]

Posted: 1/27/19 at 10:44pm

1. I like the staging. It’s interesting and beautiful in places. Although you can’t forget that this amount of scenery could never be truly presented in a traditional theatre without commercial breaks and hundreds of camera angles.

2. This is the 2nd live production that I’ve been annoyed with screaming crowds competing with performers for attention. We saw this a few times in JCS, and it took away from “Today 4 U.” Then again in Act 2, more choreographed screams in “What U Own.” Irksome...

 

3. “Over the Moon” has always been a bigger than life number, but this rendition seems overly directed? It’s not that I’m comparing Vanessa to when I saw Idina. This version just seemed overly busy and sloppy with the props and blocking. The star of that song should be the lyrics and voice. I guess every artist has the right to put their own creative stamp on this.

 

4. The censored lines and words didn’t bother me, like I thought they would.  I appreciate the original text more, but the show doesn’t feel radically different.

 

Whatever it’s faults or artistic choices, exposing more people to musical theatre is always a good thing!

[lukeworsham]

Posted: 1/27/19 at 11:19pm

I think what's disappointing to me is that RENT is a very moving, emotionally centered piece of theater and I felt that the product on TV was very hokey. The interactions with the crowd, the screaming, the lack of character development with the actors.

I don't mind having more events like this, because, as you said, exposing more people to musical theater is a good thing. However, I think people unfairly came away from this thinking that RENT is some kind of party show when it's not. Like, it wasn't really RENT.

A show like Evita, Into the Woods, or In the Heights would be better suited for what FOX seemed to want. It just felt like the production style didn't match the material. Imagine Les Mis with the barricade boys running around and having crowds freak out. That's what this felt like.

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/27/19 at 11:24pm

I'm all for exposing people to musical theater...but not this way. I wouldn't want someone to walk away with the idea that this is what musical theater is or that this is what "RENT" was and is. It's not an accurate representation of the original show. 

If I weren't a musical theater fan and this version of RENT were my first exposure I would walk away thinking that musical theater is lame and scratching my head as to why RENT was such a big deal to begin with.

This didn't do musical theater or musicals as a whole any favors.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 1/27/19 at 11:47pm

lukeworsham said: "I think what's disappointing to me is that RENT is a very moving, emotionally centered piece of theater and I felt that the product on TV was very hokey. The interactions with the crowd, the screaming, the lack of character development with the actors.

I don't mind having more events like this, because, as you said, exposing more people to musical theater is a good thing. However, I think people unfairly came away from this thinking that RENT is some kind of party show when it's not. Like, it wasn't really RENT.

A show like Evita, Into the Woods, or In the Heights would be better suited for what FOX seemed to want. It just felt like the production style didn't match the material. Imagine Les Mis with the barricade boys running around and having crowds freak out. That's what this felt like."

I am not sure how old you are, or if you were able to see Rent during its prime. Rent always had a very loud and enthusiastic audience. People would go nuts when  certain characters entered. It felt like a concert, more than a Broadway show, it was an experience.  Mark's first entrance was a rush, and folks went nuts when Angel entered dressed in drag to perform Today for You. It was always a great time.

[schubox]

Posted: 1/27/19 at 11:49pm

I mean theres a whole thread about it, why make a new one?

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/27/19 at 11:58pm

schubox said: "I mean theres a whole thread about it, why make a new one?"

Because he or she wanted to?