Although it's a sentimental favorite that I love for what it is and will always enjoy seeing, "Phantom" could have used a tighter book that doesn't leave you asking things like "Why the hell did she choose that particular moment to rip off his mask?"
And though I tend to agree with some of the comments about "Rent", I have to note something because I can see where some of these posts are going to be heading...yes, it has a somewhat confusing story and its share of bad lyrics that I wish were better and unfortunately were not able to be refined (as I believe they would have been had Larson lived). But it's far from being one of the sloppier shows on Broadway today, where it plays next to shows that seem more polished but really have fewer brains and wider plot holes. I'm not asking anyone to make an exception for "Rent" simply because Larson died...I just think even in its unfinished and sometimes groan-inducing state it is tighter and more thoughtful on its own merits than most other shows selling out right now. To get into the tired, decade-old discussion about whether "Rent" would be such a hit had Jonathan lived doesn't even have much to do with the topic at hand--it's just an appealing argument to bring up when thinking about how successful shows could be fixed.
"If there is going to be a restoration fee, there should also be a Renaissance fee, a Middle Ages fee and a Dark Ages fee. Someone must have men in the back room making up names, euphemisms for profit."
(Emanuel Azenberg)
Updated On: 8/20/06 at 11:05 PM
