Breaking News! RENT to Open at New World Stages August 11; Previews Begin July 14 - Open Calls Announced!- Page 2

[masb19872]

Posted: 2/25/11 at 7:35pm

Agreed, BettyBoy.

I find it ridiculous to call it a new production when three main producers, the director, and the music supervisor, among other things, are the same as the original. Heck, they're even using the logo. I am a fan of Rent, and this is just stupid. All of these people just need to step away from the show, especially Michael Greif, after the hilarious changes he made to the show for the tour. Let the show have a , and let an unknown team redevelop it in a few years.

[TheatreFan4]

Posted: 2/25/11 at 11:51pm

Please put it out of its misery.

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 2/26/11 at 1:25am

Was Rent ever in misery? I don't think so. It is also possible to have a new production with an old production team. They claim this will be a new production, so we'll see what happens. Rent is quite a cash cow, so I am thinking this may have a couple good years in it.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 2/26/11 at 1:32am

Yeah, towards the end (and for a while before that) there were periods where sitting through it became a real chore and it did feel at times like you were watching a community theater production.

[threetwoone]

Posted: 2/26/11 at 10:01pm

^I've felt that way every time I've seen the show. From some of the costumes and the two flakes of show that fall to the odd clothing that is flown in from the rafters during Christmas Bells, it has never seemed like a Broadway show to me. Though I guess some people will say that's the charm of it...

[BenjaminNicholas2]

Posted: 2/26/11 at 10:07pm

Let. It. Die.

This show has aged right before our eyes and it's now more of a somewhat ridiculous period piece than anything. The last time I sat and watched a professional production of RENT, I just sat there thinking 'get a job, you slackers.'

Times have changed. Idealism on that level is suicidal.



BN

[fingerlakessinger]

Posted: 2/26/11 at 11:47pm

Although we all (for the most part) agree that it's past it's prime, it's still has a huge following that matches a lot of box office hits (ala POTO and Les Mis) combined. Many people I know to this day do not know the show closed on Broadway and always have a shocked look when I tell them it closed. Personally, I think they really need to let it rest. With community productions sprouting up every where and a tour, I think a nice rest from the NYC area would do it good. But, there is a market for them to tap into so they are going to tap tap tap till there's nothing left.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 2/27/11 at 12:18am

so how long before they trot out the same tired, old cast members who played it on broadway for the better part of a decade?

[ACL2006]

Posted: 2/27/11 at 12:40am

You mean: Adam Pascal(Roger), Anthony Rapp(Mark), Rodney Hicks(Benny), Justin Johnson(Angel), Gwen Stewart, Telly Leung, Destan Owens, Yuka Takara, Shaun Earl, to name a few.

[pinkyboy]

Posted: 2/28/11 at 2:40pm

ACL2006, I believe you're forgetting Miss Thoms...

Anyway, as long as they make some GOOD changes (not "remixed") then I'd be happy with it. There have been shows that have been going much longer then RENT (Phantom) so if they want to bring it back, fair enough.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/28/11 at 2:49pm

I know people who are planning a trip to NYC this spring and said they wanted to see RENT on Broadway. They had no clue it had closed 2 years ago.

I am looking forward to it. I love the score and still liten to it a lot.

Updated On: 2/28/11 at 02:49 PM

[fashionguru_23]

Posted: 2/28/11 at 4:47pm

Don't get me wrong, I love Rent. But with many local, and community theatre productions around, two filmed versions of the show, I'm not interested. Plus, New World Stages is an amazing venue for things to grow, and reach life.

I'm also not saying that there shouldn't be revivals, but at least space time out. Like H2S, there is an entire new generation that is learning about this show. One's there were only 4, 5 years old when the 1995 revival was playing.

[jonartdesigns]

Posted: 2/28/11 at 4:59pm

to add to the list of usual suspects, Merle Dandrich, Matt Caplan, Nicholette Hart, D'Monroe

Rodney Hicks and Tracy Thoms don't really fall into this category for me,whereas Hicks returned to the cast after a long absence in a different role, and Thoms only played Joanne on broadway for a short time.

[steven22]

Posted: 2/28/11 at 5:37pm

add to that list : Karmine Alers (LOVED her Mimi though), Caren Tackett, Shaun Earl, Justin Johnston, Andy Senor, Joshua Kobak...

[Bettyboy72]

Posted: 2/28/11 at 6:49pm

RENT was a cultural phenomenon, a zeitgeist moment, a legendary piece of theatre that broke the mold. It will always have its place in history. It was revolutionary.

To open this legendary show in a place like New World stages denigrates its value. It saddens me. Whats with the whoring? Do the Larsons need the $$$?

I just don't understand the decision at all. It's like when designers start selling at JC Penney. Total fail.

I'd much rather RENT take a long break and be presented many years from now as a time capsule with a fresh creative team.

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/28/11 at 6:59pm

fashion, I understand what you are saying but they can house 6 shows. Why not have one or two shows that run for a long time or have a revival like this, if it works? They have 4 other stages.

[BwayTday]

Posted: 2/28/11 at 7:09pm

I would love to see a NEWLY conceived production of the show. Both community productions of the show that I saw were copy of the Broadway production. One with lazier direction and one with a more exciting adaption. I am fairly new to the Rent phenomenon since the first time I saw it was last October. But when it's done right with excitement, dedication, and talent, it is a great show.
Updated On: 2/28/11 at 07:09 PM