Dont you hate... (RENT related) — Page 4

mmmm. Adam.

---

What I hate is when people decide their appreciation for a show is somehow more deep or profound than someone else's, simply because they got there first.

---

Once again, I am a little offended by the idea that ones time as a poster is ASSUMED to be ones time as a musical theatre fan. I've been a fan of RENT since '99, and while that may not have been the whole time it's been around, it's quite a while. I was 26 years old when this play came out, and I'm 35 now. I have had friends die of AIDS and, unfortunately, other untimely deaths. This play hit me as more than just as a bunch of pretty songs.

I completely understand the protectiveness; what I don't understand is the unwillingness to let anyone else in. Not every so called "newbie" is in it because they saw an "Out Tonight" video. It is a reality that many new posters have been lurking for years, as I have. We are just as excited for the movie as you are, if not more so. We don't have as much exposure to theatre as you all do, and quite frankly, that you take for granted.

A RENThead, really, is one who appreciates the message, can articulate their reasons for being one, and truly live as if there is no day but today...society be dammned(sp).

Updated On: 11/16/05 at 08:28 AM

I really don't think everyone should worry about this so much.

First of all, it isn't anyone's fault if they were 6 years old when Rent opened. How the heck were they supposed to be there? That sort of attitude is what has people lying on the Rent blog going "oh yeah I knew all the words to Rent when I was 2" - there is NO SHAME in coming to Rent later.

Second of all, YES the movie will probably bring some "fad" fans, but they never stick around for long anyhow.

I think the people who are the MOST worried about this are being a little bit hypocritical (and are probably younger fans themselves, who haven't seen other waves of fans come and go). I personally have experienced so called "Rentheads" at the Nederlander who have behaved in a way that makes me embarrassed to be one. It doesn't belong to you. You can't "protect" it from others.

To me, you can be a Renthead if you've never seen the show, if the music speaks to you, if you love the message. Seeing it 1 time, no times, or 130 times doesn't mean bull.

Maybe its because I'm not so worried about being part of some "in" Renthead crowd, maybe its because I'm an adult no longer in school, maybe its because I've been around Rent long enough to watch the "fad" fans come and go, but I think everyone needs to freaking relax.

SO WHAT if someone at your school is like "OMG I LUV RENT I LUV SEASONS OF LUV" - they'll see the movie. Maybe they'll "fad" over it for 2 months, maybe they'll become a lifelong fan. I don't see how EITHER way hurts you in any way at all.

The fad fans will go away, the people who really like the movie will become fans. And I don't see how them coming to Jonathan Larson's music through the movie makes them any less of a fan than any of you. Everyone needs to get off their high horse. Just IGNORE them if you hate the hype... but don't judge them.

---

Jenny,

Not putting words into my mouth at all... I appreciate you taking the time to care.

I agree that the original poster's intent was not to discount anyone, but people will do what they will. I'm not only proud to be a RENThead, but also proud to be the absolute only RENThead in my circle of friends. I am the reason they are even seeing the movie. Yes, I have been hounding them and they know I won't let up, lol.

This is something I've been thinking about lately. I love the fact that RENT and RENT's message are being spread and will now be heard by a whole new and much bigger audience. That's exciting. It's great to know that Jonathan Larson's voice is being heard. I guess that I have to that I'm happy that there will be more rentheads in the world. But to me, the movie seems so big, and so far away that it makes me feel like my experiences are being cheapened.

I've been a fan of RENT since the very get-go. It revolutionized the way people thought about theatre. It changed how producers sold tickets and marketed their shows. It obviously influenced a generation of theatre people. I remember camping out side. I slept over night to get damn front row tickets. It's unfortunitly not logical or safe to continue the line and a lotto was put in place. Since then I feel like the experience of the line can not be duplicated. RENT has become something totally different. I feel like I can't hold it and experience it like I used to. Are there other people in the way? I wonder. So many things. I've seen RENT 165 times. Hows that for dedication?

These times are the begning of a new wave of RENTheads. They're idina-wicked fans, they're rosario dawson fans, they're people obssesed with adam pascaal's rather obvious attractiveness, they'll be middle aged women who just love Jesse L Martin on Law and Order (and who knew he could kiss a man?) They're the people who's high school choruses made them sing Seasons Of Love and probably patronized its message. I welcome the fact that there is a new birth of RENTheads....However, I feel like part of the experience... the intimacy of RENT on stage....has died. I feel like my experience has been cheapened and someone else is buying tickets.

---

Updated On: 11/16/05 at 12:39 PM

I'm torn on the issue.

I mean, I know that it's very, very hypocritical to have such sentiments, considering that I certainly wasn't there from the very beginning. I have really strong feelings for the show, but I was ten years old when it opened. I'm not a RENThead in the sense that I ever slept on the street for tickets, or ever saw the original cast on stage. And honestly, I know that if I want to have a fair chance and being "considered" a fan, and if I hate the notion that there are "requirements" when applied to my own love of the show, and if I don't want someone to tell me that my appearance seven years too late is cheapening their experience, it's nasty of me to say that the "new fans" shouldn't be given the same chance. Just because I wasn't there to see it happen doesn't mean that I don't consider myself a fan, someone who loves Rent very, very very, much, or that I wouldn't be offended if someone told me I wasn't a good enough or proper fan.

It's of course very difficult not to judge someone who's just like "OMG IDINA!!!!!!!!" or who just thinks Adam is hot, but I know underneath that... who am I to say they don't have a brain, or they don't "get it," even if they don't act like they do?

I'd like to say it'll be easy for me to give the new wave of fans the benefit of the doubt. I think it's easier for me to figure into saying good for them if they see the movie because they like Rosario or they think Adam's hot, but then out of it, they decide to check out more theatre, or more importantly, may become more open-minded people. Even if they're annoying when they first start pouring in, I think it's important to keep in mind, next to the sense of ownership and love, that it's new generations of fans that are going to keep Rent on stage.

Shouldn't we want people to be inspired and moved by the themes? Isn't that what Jonathan wanted?

Those questions are why admitting wanting to joke about and drive away the new, slightly crazy fans makes me feel like an awful, horrid, hypocritical loser.

---

Updated On: 11/17/05 at 12:46 PM

I'm not saying that NEW rentheads are evil or that you have sleep outside or see the original cast to be a true renthead- what I'm saying is that because RENT is soo big now it just feels so far away. I can duplicate what I rewrote, but there is no need. I feel like my experience has been washed over by a tsunami of new fans. Good, the Jonathan's message is being heard....good, his show has been very successful. I'd be a fool to not want that. I just miss the old RENT experience when Rent was Extrodinarily Special. Now its well, less special. Does that make more sence?

---

My parents didn't have me sleeping outside on the street at 15. Lea saved her money and bought her ticket.

So if you're going with THAT definition of Renthead... *g* - count me out, I just walked BY the people camping out.

---

Again, I was speaking in general terms. A lot of people use that idea jokingly, but I *have* heard it in very serious, elitist context.

---

no, just don't show up at a Rent event with a huge GREEN poster that screems something about wicked and idina. Then ill be liable to shoot.

---

No way. I mean, I understand that die hard Wicked fans would be excited that Idina's in the show, but I loved the show before I realized it was Idina...I was just pleasantly surprised, haha.

---