First time seeing RENT

[theatrediva10086]

Posted: 7/31/03 at 5:43pm

I have finally seen RENT...All my friends thought I was crazy for not having seen it yet, and now I have...The cast was wonderful...They had so much energy...And the talent they all had was just too good for words...
My favorite songs and such were One Song Glory, La Vie Boheme, and the death of Angel...I know thats horrible to say, but it was done so well...Angel was one of my favorite Characters, and I give all the men who have played that role a lot of credit...It seems to be such an emotional role that requires such deepness...
The young man who played Angel yesterday, (I dont have my playbill in front of me) made me cry at the end...I have only cried twice during shows...(once during Les Mis and once during Titanic)...
I look forward to seeing this wonderful show again, and if anyone knows the cast, please pass along my best wishes...

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 11:37pm

Awe, pass along your best wishes yourself! Everyone loves fanmail :)

I didn't enjoy Rent at all the first time I saw it...I was in the last row of mezz (school trip) next to a guy who sang along with every song. I didn't know any of the words, so I found it too loud and hard to follow. Then I bought the album (because even if you don't like the show, there is no denying that the music is AWESOME), read up on the history of the show (which is so fascinating and heartbreaking) and realized how great it was.

I saw it again...then again...then a few more times. (I've only seen it 7, but there are people who are pushing 1,000...no kidding.)

I kinda outgrew it, even though I still LOVE the show.

Honestly, the Rent community makes me a bit nervous. They're a part of the reason why I decided to stay away. I mean, passion is one thing...but the whole craze gives me the creeps. I intern on 41st street and I get out at 6, so I walk past the "lotto line" every day...the SAME PEOPLE are on line EVERY DAY.

And a lot of them seem to think they're good friends with the cast membersm, just because they talk to them so much before and after shows, which I think is kind of sad...and I don't think most of them realize that there are many other amazing Broadway musicals out there to see. But, if they're happy...that's great, I guess.

ANYWAY! Sorry I went off on a tangent...But I'm glad you enjoyed the show! :)

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 11:39pm

Amen with the comments about the Rentheads.


As far as the current cast, yes they are very strong. I look forward to Cary being in Taboo his fall.

By the way, Andy Senor is the current Angel.

[ChristineDaae]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 11:48pm

I don't know... I was dissapointed when I first saw "Rent". I thought the music was to loud and that the actors were practically screaming but I think they changed that. It's not my type of show...

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 11:52pm

My biggest issue was the sound design. Yes, it is a rock show and should be loud, but that still doesn't mean the sound design can be porr and you don't have to make the lyrics understandable.

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 11:54pm

I really didn't like Manley Pope, either, and he was my first Roger...however, looking back, he was a great Roger, just not enjoyable for me personally. I enjoyed watching Sebastian much more, but Sebastian didn't have that angry, angst-ridden rockstar thing going on.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/1/03 at 11:55pm

As far as Roger goes, my favorite is a 3 way tie :: Cary Shields, Luther Creek, Tony Vincent.

[JakeB]

Posted: 8/2/03 at 5:50am

I've only seen it the once, hated it due to the bad sound mainly, and also I just couldn't follow what was happening at all. Anyway, since then I've heard a lot of the music (my favourite song is Halloween, strange choice but I love it) and also read up on the history of the show which makes you appreciate it much more.

If it ever comes by England's way again I would travel to see it. They said that it wouldn't come back to the West End ever again but that cannot be right..

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 8/2/03 at 11:22am

I worked at a Students Live workshop for Rent in May and was stopped for my autograph after the show because some of the kids thought I was Mimi...it was too funny. I guess all small, curly-haired girls look identical to some people :)

[AlienOnBroadway]

Posted: 8/2/03 at 11:30am

I agree that you should pass along your own best wishes to the cast, or to Andy if he is the performer that stood out to you. You can find the address to the Neder on siteforrent.com.

RENT is one of those things that a lot of people intensely love or intensely hate. I can see how "traditional Broadway officianados" would have issues with it.
And I am trying hard not to be offended with all the anti-Renthead talk going on around here.
Although I don't classify myself as a Renthead because I have only seen it a handful of times.

BG2: interesting list of fave Rogers you have there.

NativeNY: I didn't care for Manley either. I didn't like his protrayal of Roger AT all.

And JakeB, Halloween is one of the best parts of the show. If you have a good Mark, then that song is just amazing and very emotional (and there IS a good Mark on Broadway now.)

[NativeNewYorker]

Posted: 8/2/03 at 1:32pm

Alien,

People are the same way with Aida. I never met anyone who just thought it was "all right". Everyone either HATES it or LOVES it.

And, yes, yes...Matt Caplan is an extraordinary Mark :)

[luluhed]

Posted: 8/2/03 at 1:48pm

Well-here's someone who didn't love or hate it. I thought it was ok. I saw it once with the original cast, and that was enough. No one in particular stands out in my mind, but the thing I liked best, and what caused me to stand was the energy of the cast.

[BrdwyThtr]

Posted: 8/2/03 at 2:02pm

I saw Rent on tour and on Broadway. The tour cast, in my opinion, was much better than the Broadway cast. Especially the guy who played Angel on tour(can't think of his name). He was much better than Andy Senor.

[broadwayguy2]

Posted: 8/2/03 at 2:06pm

If you saw the tour recently, your Angel was Justin Rodriguez... yes, he is wonderful in the role.

Krystal Washington, who was Mimi on that tour, is currently in that role on Broadway.