RENT question...

[lcinva]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 8:58am

I'm probably asking for it on here, but I'll go for it. I'm (slightly) embarrassed to say that I saw RENT for the first time last night, on the tour in Cleveland. I thought it was well-done, and there wasn't a single time I was disappointed with the cast vocals. Great show! As noted in the tour thread though, there were tons of crazy screaming teenage to mid 20s girls. What is the cultish obsession with RENT? I don't get it. I mean, it was a good show, good message, but it took me until Act II to get everyone and their story straight...and that was after trying to be familiar with the plot before I went! My husband described it as kind of frantically paced, and I agree. It's probably supposed to be that way, and maybe if I saw it a second time I would be able to enjoy it more.

So all of that being said...how did this become such a phenomenon? Unless you see it a million times, it seems like it's a fairly enjoyable show that is somewhat hard to follow. That seems like it wouldn't lend itself to millions of people freaking out. I kept waiting for a moment in the show where I would understand why so many people can relate (or something...) and I never got it. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

[shpants]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 10:10am

Sadly, I was one of those fan girls circa 1997 :)
I guess it was a different experience for me, since I was so familiar with the music from the show before I actually got the chance to see it and pretty much knew the story backwards and forwards.

For me, I think the appeal was the fact that at the time, it was such an edgy, modern show. During a time when my obsessions were Les Mis and Phantom, when Rent came along it was like a breath of fresh air. It was different than anything I had ever heard, and as an angst-ridden, rebellious 15 year old, it fit the bill perfectly.

Anyways, that's just my take on it. I'm curious to hear about what other people have to say!

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 10:17am

People use the word "edgy" a lot, but I don't know if it has a real meaning.

Updated On: 1/9/09 at 10:17 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 10:46am

I think it's actually a fairly simple answer. The specifics and the reasons vary for everybody, but a lot of people feel very deeply moved by and connected to the story and the messages of the show.But also think it depends very much on where you are in your life when you're first exposed to it.

[UglyBetty]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 10:51am

It became a such a huge phenomenon when Jonathan Larson died. It was a great, fun, downtown rock musical with a small breeze at its back- but as fate would have with the passing of the show's sole author the eve of the 1st performance was a very interesting news story.

It only became more interesting when life imitated art. Here Jonathan had written a show about people who's time on this earth was limited and how they had to struggle between having time for their artistry and paying their bills... and dying.... and the Author, who was as far as he was concerned perfectly healthy, struggled with the same issues of art and work- ended up dying.

Musicals traditionally tell the story of a far off place- here was a story about a place that existed a 5 minute train ride away.. The show was the 1st show to tell the story of the crazy punks squating in the East Village. It was the 1st major show on Broadway that dealt with how straight people are thrown into the AIDS Crisis. It was the 1st musical where a drag queen and her HIV Positive lover were main characters- as were an interracial lesbian couple. There was an entire musical sequence about f*ckin on stage......It was something no one had seen before on such a huge level.

Of course that was 1996 and this is 13 years later and the world is a different place. I've seen the show more times than I care to admit- but I will say that 2-3 years into its run- I think the show lost some relevancy as those things that made RENT more unique than say a Phantom or a Les Mis, became more common in all forms our media- (just count the number of Trans characters on TV today)

Is RENT dated- absolutely. Is its story less poignant because the circumstances of the world have changed- of course. None the less- it still has fantastic music (subject to personal taste) and a message to just live your life as though every moment were the last. THAT is a message that will never become out-dated.
Updated On: 1/9/09 at 10:51 AM

[shpants]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 10:53am

When I said "edgy" I was referring to the show being provocative and trend-setting (as it is often defined.)

That's neither here nor there, though. I think most people understood what I meant.

[uncageg]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 11:08am

I agree with shpants and Emcee. Ugly, the show may be "dated", but fore me is no less poignant. I heard the recording before I knew about Jonathan's death and fell in love with it. His death had nothing to do with me becoming a fan of the show. I played the OBCR constantly but did not see the show until its first national tour. The show/music still moves me to this day. I tend to disagree about it not being relevent after a few years of its run. I think it has a message that goes beyond the story that took place in that certain time period. Especially that of friendship. The show does have a part in my heart for personal reasons. But it isn't the main reason I like thie show. So no, I don't think it is any less poignant.

[shaun3000]

Posted: 1/9/09 at 12:33pm

It is a timeless story. Rent is a modern retelling of Puccini's classic opera, La bohème; arguably the most popular opera and definitely one of the most frequently-performed. I think the reasons La bohème is so popular are easily transferred to Rent.