Understudy Joined: 1/20/05
So, I got a promotional e-mail from Playbill, offering cheap tickets to see Rent. I am going to be in NY next week, from 9/26-10/1. For the heck of it, I clicked on to see what kind of seats you could get for the date of 9/26, which is the night I am going. Imagine my surprise, when I see a list of cancelled performances, starting after the Tuesday 8PM 9/27 show. There were 8 cancelled performances total, and I was wondering if anyone knew why. Are they using the theatre for a CD promotion of the Rent Film soundtrack, or are sales bad, maintanance to the theatre, what? I am just curious, and I haven't seen anything on the boards about this.
Updated On: 9/19/05 at 08:00 PM
Maintenance work on the theatre, I believe.
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/14/05
Which is greatly needs, what a dump. I assume it will be gutted when Rent ends its run.
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/20/04
installing an updated sound system, i hear.
they made the theatre a dump for Rent.
Thumbs up on the new sound system though. That's always been my biggest complaint.
This is good- those hard working actors deserve a little break (Is that what they are getting while they don't perform?)
"I think it was the Korean tour or something. They were all frickin' asian!" -Zoran912
Hopefully the sound system rumour is true (it's what I've heard as well). I've always found it slightly odd that the best sound is in the mezz.
I hope the sound system rumour is true as well
Yeah, Rent did do all sorts of things to make the theatre look distressed, although the last time I was in that theatre prior to Rent, for Our Country's Good in 1991, it looked rather worn (though kinda charming).
There was a time when getting to that theatre was like stepping into a battle zone. It was the only theatre below 44th Street, and was surrounded by the 42nd Street grind houses, porn stores and transient hotels. It was scary to go there, and the theatre was seldom used, except by shows with no other choice of venue.
What a difference a couple of years can make. That theatre is now surrounded by the Reuters building, the 41st Street exit for The Lion King, the world's largest McDonalds, a Hilton Hotel, the new New York Times building being constructed down the street, a boutique hotel, and of course, Red Lobster. When Rent eventually closes, it should be interesting to see if a stigma remains about booking that theatre. With 1,200 seats and only one balcony, I'd think producers would be foolish to pass it up.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
what's so bad about 1200 seats and one balcony?
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
Nothing, that's why they'd be foolish to pass it up.
mmm. it's a very nice theatre. it's current dilapidated state works well for a show like RENT and I wouldn't want it any other way, but when the show finally does close, a grand restoration should be on order. the house is awesome, and it's really neat how the front row of the mezzanine is practically at the front of the stage... fantastic design...
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
RENT'S CLOSING?!?
Ooops, nevermind.
Understudy Joined: 1/20/05
I received a flyer from Playbill for discounts to RENT in which, they tout a "new look" as coinciding with the 10th anniversary for the show, so I imagine they are doing some renovations -- maybe painting the theatre, etc.
The show is also expecting a fair number of new cast members, but I don't know if that is coinciding with the "week off."
When I saw the show in January of 2003, it was very hard to hear the actors, and I sat in the front of the orch.
It's porbably just maintenance.
Sound travels up rather than down though, so if you have a substandard sound system, the best sound would be in the mezz.
Watch the RENTheads begin passing out in the streets having to go a week without the show. *ducks and covers*
Em you never cease to make me smile..
Maybe they'll have a candlelight vigil at the theatre.
They can all make signs and cover the sidewalk and entry ways with flowers of mourning..
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/7/03
Gee, I really didn't think I needed to add a clarifier.
Are there really still RENTHEADS? Last time I did the Rent lottery, it was all Japanese tourists...
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