to the "rent" closing comment - no way!!! it will be a SAD SAD day on broadway when that show finally leaves. i really hope that it sticks around for a good long time.
I'm sorry but to whoever said being a Rent fanatic is a "right of passage" is dead wrong. How can you say that? Not every middle school/high school student likes Rent. I saw it and I thought it was OK but have never been a Renthead. You can't just generalize like that...or else you look dumb.
"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde
The thing about Rent is that it is a period piece. The more time moves on, the less relevant the show becomes. It has lost its edge. It is like "Hair" today. You have to comprehend it in a different way.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
WithoutATrace - I have never seen Beehive. My brother saw it and loved it, but then again, his all-time favorite show is Starlight Express, so go figure.
Why not wish a bad show to close? Because who gets to decide whether the show is good or bad? The critics? Broadway musical fans? Contemporary theatre fans? Golden Age fans? As I said, EVERY show eventually has a closing date. Good shows close and bad shows close. It is the paying audiences that decide what should or should not stay open.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
Exactly Gothampc...it is losing it's edge. But in no way is being a Rent fanatic a "right of passage." That's just foolish...you don' t have to LOVE the show in order to be a genuine theatre fan. That's just stupid.
"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde
Rent is the first broadway style show i saw and really captivated me. I had seen A Chorus Line and other broadway touring company shows, but Rent is the one that got my attention and made me realize that musical theater is what i wanted to do. I don't think it should close, unless it's just loosing too much money. I just think it's a landmark of a musical. I don't mind phantom, just wish they'd make the music sound more modern. It just sounds so dated in the 80s. I think with newer sounding music it will reach out to a whole new generation. Esp. since the movie, look what the movie did for Chicago? And hell, the Gershwin is not going to be available for a LONG time.
Beehive was one of the starting shows for Jasmine Guy. She is so talented.
Anywho~ I think that shows should be allowed to thrive as long as they can fill seats and do a good job of presenting their show.
RENT is one of those shows that regardless of what one says is still relevant today. AIDS will not go away kiddos.
HAIR is also VERY VERY relevant today with the war we are fighting today. HOW can we say it is not. There are thousands upon thousands of people who REFUSE to be a part of this disgusting war.
"RENT is one of those shows that regardless of what one says is still relevant today. AIDS will not go away kiddos."
There is a certain despair in Rent concerning AIDS that they are just hanging on and there is no hope for the characters. There is a wish expressed that "people living with not dying". New drug combinations have now made it possible for people with HIV to live better lives.
Additionally, New York is a different place now. The whole East Village scene has completely changed since Rent. Maureen's performance art seems out of place.
The show misses out on the gay marriage debate, the post 9/11 world, cellphones, etc.
If anyone ever tells you that you put too much Parmesan cheese on your pasta, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
i think that all shows should not close unitl it is down to 100 dollers and then it should get a cast cd made to save the show so it does not fade into the sunset willout a cast cd for the people who can not go to see a show on broadway.
Again...I'm not saying that Rent should close. I'm just saying that it is NOT a show one MUST like as a "right of theatre passage." Everyone has different tastes...it's not a requirement to be obsessed with it in order for one to be a fan of theatre.
I, also, would not wish any certain show to close at this moment. None of them do I hate with a passion I cannot stand it's existence on Broadway. I would hate to put such talented people out of work...especially in such a hard field as theatre. Let the shows run their courses.
"I love talking about nothing. It is the only thing I know anything about." - Oscar Wilde
If I was held at gunpoint and forced to pick three shows I wished to close (ARTISTICALLY, NOT CONCERNING THE THEATER ECONOMY), I would proudly proclaim, The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, and Phantom of the Opera.
"What the hell happened to you? You look like a Make-A-Wish Kid. You know, I just knew you were gonna bring shame on this new family of ours, and it just figures you had to go make yourself over into some heroin-shootin skate board chic on the only day E! could interview you!" - Cherry Cherry, on her daughter Mary Cherry
I'd bet that if "The Lion King" had been produced by anyone other than Disney, there would be much love for it across the board. It's a terrifically realized piece that uses innovative storytelling & staging to put across the most popular score on Broadway. Add to that the very talented performers it has employed over the years....
And folks, had there been no "Lion King" the New Amsterdam theatre would be a Taco Bell right now. Well, maybe not a Taco Bell, but it would NOT be a functioning Broadway theatre.
movin out sells a lot....just the name of billy joel sells...and he is a great singer....and he should just stick to making money off of his records. and on the other hand...the fact that something sells..doesnt make it good.Ashlee Simpson sold more cds than her sister and she SUX.
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-
GOOD VIBRATIONS and BROOKLYN, no doubt. There's no need for them.
Re. the RENT comments, I understand where you're all coming from. As a giant RENT fan, I have seen the show so many time's I have lost count and I try to see every cast, and usually see them more than once. Unless you have seen RENT with this cast, you can't say it's gone downhill. People who have been doing the show for YEARS have pretty much left - which is a really good thing. I have seen god-awful performances, and BRILLIANT performances. It's always fresh and every new cast brings something new to it. The cast right now is the best it's been since last summer - thanks to Carey Shields. Those who say that it's time is done and it's tired really should re-visit the show. Now, if we're going to talk about shows that have lost all energy and steam, look into THE PRODUCERS, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and MAMMA MIA.
"If you are going to do something, do it well. And leave something witchy."-Charlie Manson
"Rent" should stay opened forever. haha....i agree If "Bklyn"closes ...there will be only 5 actors on the streets,,,,,i mean...arent they on the streets already? they suck!!! i wouldnt tip them on the subway!!! well....maybe if they tell a good story...then i might. LOL everyone wants GV and Bklyn to close i guess. I did like "GV" tho..i thought it was fun...not a great show..but it was fun and it had hot people in bathing suits....besides at the end...it was hilarious...when they played with the ball....they hit an old lady about 82 yo with it...it was too funny...but of course i felt terrible....the poor old lady was laughing...tho..it probably was the most fun she had in a long time. aww...it makes me tender.
"People have their opinions and that doesn't mean that their opinions are wrong or right. I just take it with a grain of salt because opinions are like as*holes, everyone has one".
-Felicia Finley-