Brantley on RENT....

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/11/11 at 10:41pm

Ouch.


http://theater.nytimes.com/2011/08/12/theater/reviews/rent-revival-at-new-world-stages-review.html?hpw=&pagewanted=1

[Kad]

Posted: 8/11/11 at 10:46pm

I can't really tell from BWW's review roundup (you need to find someone who can pull quotes from reviews better, guys!), but I'm sensing reaction is mixed to this.

[CapnHook]

Posted: 8/11/11 at 10:54pm

I think "ouch" is too strong a word. He's written harsher reviews before. I'd call that a mixed-to-negative, yes, but he didn't go after it too strongly. This review is spot on, I think, both in his opinions and the tone in which he chose to critique.

[shrekster224]

Posted: 8/11/11 at 10:59pm

He always finds a favorite performer in every review he writes (Annaleigh). I feel like that brings a slightly more positive tone to some parts, and he did mention positive audience reactions, making him seem like the "party pooper" at the show.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/11/11 at 10:59pm

I'm surprised by his praise for Annaleigh Ashford, who is the epitome of miscast as Maureen.

[beach2732]

Posted: 8/11/11 at 11:32pm

I loved Annaleigh as Maureen.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/11/11 at 11:49pm

Search through Brantley's past reviews. His "favorite" is almost always the pretty young blonde, to a frightening degree of recurrence.

[AC126748]

Posted: 8/11/11 at 11:50pm

Ah, yes. I forgot he has Chenoweth Syndrome.

[BroadwayBen]

Posted: 8/11/11 at 11:57pm

I think he knows that whatever he writes, the show will still sell, so he's pretty easy on it.

[uncageg]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 12:34am

I think Annaleigh rocks as Maureen. I love the new take on the character. She is sexy with a sense of twisted humor.

[pinoyidol2006]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 1:03am

I'm glad Annaleigh got praised. I've never seen her in the role, but I like the actress.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 1:04am

Eh. I think the show just reeks of commercialism now.

[Mildred Plotka]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 1:22am

Now?

[ljay889]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 1:22am

^ LOL.

[AGermano]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 1:28am

I agree and LOVED Annaleigh as Maureen. Thought she was fantastic and played the part like it is supposed to be played!

[RippedMan]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 1:32am

Yes now. The original production was brilliant, and even with it's subsequent casts, I think it still had some raw energy about it. This one just seems like a group of privileged teens playing dress up.

[inlovewithjerryherman]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 2:09am

i LOVE annaleigh ashford and am glad she got the write up.

for me, the show does reek commercialism, but only from the way it's been marketed and produced over the years. I'm just a smidgen to old to be a born and bred RENT-head.

I'm not surprised by Brantley's critique, and still, it's not super lethal.

However, it can't be denied that the original was a defining moment for contemporary musical theatre. A real game-changer, and it deserves its place in the lexicon.

I feel Brantley would have given this production better reviews 10+ years from now. It's too soon.

Whenever I think of RENT and RENT-heads these days, I say a prayer of thanks to the heavens for allowing "Next to Normal" close before it became the next example of turning a special piece into something of calculated emotional commercialism.

[Sophiia]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 8:43am

I thought the review was pretty fair. I also loved Annaleigh- mostly because she brought something completely different to the role. The rest of the show was, as Brantley said, not too far from the original. I can understand why people think it's "too soon," but I'm just happy to be able to see Rent again in an intimate setting. Of course this production isn't ground-breaking, but it's entertaining as hell :)

[Q]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 9:36am

"audience members...roared and hooted throughout"

That not only keeps me from wanting to see it, but makes me want to avoid the block the theater is in.

[best12bars]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 10:01am

I think Rent is suffering the same fate as A Chorus Line. It was such a product of its time in the theatre world and a result of the people who "inhabited" it originally, that future productions feel like "younger siblings playing dress-up."

Perhaps Brantley is drawn to Ashford's performance because it is the least like her original counterpart's and more like a fresh new interpretation. Consequently, it warrants the least amount of comparison from this critic. I agree with his qualification that perhaps it should be seen and reviewed by someone who didn't see the original production(s). He's admitting his own bias. But it's a genuine criticism for anyone who did see the original production and original cast. He feels it just doesn't measure up.

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 10:57am

I completely agree that Ashford's performance stands out the most because she makes the boldest choices that go in the furthest direction from her original predecessor.

Unfortunately, since they're the same choices and characterization she uses in every single role she plays, it had no effect for me. If you've seen her once, you've seen her a thousand times.

Updated On: 8/12/11 at 10:57 AM

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 8/12/11 at 11:38pm

Yes, the East Village and more specifically Alphabet City has lost it's grit. I am back living in NYC after being in Miami for 11 years and I was blown away at the changes. You can actually walk down Ave C between 2nd and E Houston without fear of getting jumped.

But to be honest...I kinda liked some of the changes...

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 8/13/11 at 1:37am

As someone who has seen several of the later casts of Rent at the original production (up to the final tour), I feel like the show still had the raw energy even if the actors didn't live in that world or have that experience (let's face it, AIDS and NY were very different even 2 or 3 years ago compared to the 90's).

I thought Brantley's view was pretty fair, but I think the actors got the short end of the stick on this one. I saw some great performances from several actors in addition to Annaleigh.. if it felt like they didn't feel at home on the set and costumes, then maybe that's where the problem lies...

I know it sounds simple and like I'm a purist, but if the cast isn't given the appropriate tools to work with then it can affect the overall production.

[Kad]

Posted: 8/13/11 at 1:44am

Maybe it wasn't the best idea to have Greif direct it again.

[hermionejuliet]

Posted: 8/13/11 at 1:45am

Interesting and valid point!