Happy 25th Anniversary to RENT / Concert Version to Broadway?

[macbeth]

Posted: 1/25/21 at 10:55am

https://www.npr.org/2021/01/25/959666108/13-140-000-minutes-its-been-25-years-since-the-first-performance-of-rent

I was amongst the lucky ones to see the original production Off-Broadway and knew instantly what it was destined for. Anyone else there at that time? 

I'm also hearing rumors of a 25th Anniversary Production concert when Broadway re-opens... 

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/25/21 at 11:44am

I mean - if we’re talking “event” productions needed to get butts back in seats it’s hard for me to think of something more fitting.

[Islander_fan]

Posted: 1/25/21 at 12:10pm

As it stands now, the 25th anniversary Rent concert is a digital fundraiser/ benefit for New York Theatre Workshop. I’m willing to bet that, had covid not been an issue, they would have done this in front of an audience at New York Theatre Workshop. But, since that isn’t the case I can see to bits of good to come out of it. More people would be able to watch it online rather than if it were done in person. And, with that being the case NYTW may even be able to get more money than they would have if it was with an in person audience. “Tickets” for the stream start at 25 dollars and go up from there. 

Also, I sort of agree with Jordan that it could be something worth doing to get people back into the theatre when that time comes. Hell, I think it would be great if they could do it at The Nederlander. But, also, weren’t the producers of the New World Stages production pretty transparent that the reason why they did this was to get more actors work? I mean, that production was mounted within a very short time (as far as revivals go) since the show closed on Broadway .

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Posted: 1/25/21 at 12:19pm

There will also be another run of the recent non-equity tour, per the website labeled as the “25th anniversary Farewell”.

[hearthemsing22]

Posted: 1/30/21 at 1:08am

Islander_fan said: "As it stands now, the 25th anniversary Rent concert is a digital fundraiser/ benefit for New York Theatre Workshop. I’m willing to bet that, had covid not been an issue, they would have done this in front of an audience at New York Theatre Workshop. But, since that isn’t the case I can see to bits of good to come out of it. More people would be able to watch it online rather than if it were done in person. And, with that being the case NYTW may even be able to get more money than they would have if it was with an in person audience. “Tickets” for the stream start at 25 dollars and go up from there.

Also, I sort of agree with Jordan that it could be something worth doing to get people back into the theatre when that time comes. Hell, I think it would be great if they could do it at The Nederlander. But, also, weren’t the producers of the New World Stages production pretty transparent that the reason why they did this was to get more actors work? I mean, that production was mounted within a very short time (as far as revivals go) since the show closed on Broadway ."

It’s certainly possible that they could get more money through a virtual event. But it makes me worry that we’re all so concerned about only having virtual content when theater is the art made to be observed in person. I’m well aware of factors preventing people from doing that (obviously, especially now), but that’s what it’s made for. Being experienced live, in person. The more it goes into the digital world, it could start to lose audiences. And that’s what’s part of the fun of theater, that’s what businesses around those theaters depend on. We can’t primarily have theater become virtual events. The point of theater and Broadway may completely change (and not for the better). 

BUT I am thrilled that they’re doing this and already purchased a ticket. 

Updated On: 1/30/21 at 01:08 AM

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 1/30/21 at 10:51am