How Does RENT Stay Open?

I dont mean this in any disrespect, cause i'm a HUGE fan of RENT. And Larson is a god, but how is this show still surviving? Are its running cost really low? Does the cast get paid a minimum? I mean I understand they probably want to keep it open till the movie opens, but it just seems like it hasnt' been doing very impressive business. And the last week it was in the bottom 5.

Judging the overall performance of the show based on the September slump (which even managed to de-throne Wicked) isn't really fair.

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once the movie comes out, boy, it will hard to see rent. it will probably get a much bigger audience.

Yeah that's what I thought. No, i'm not juding by the Sept. Slump, but it just seems like they've never really been up in the 80s. Maybe 60s, which still isn't too bad, but most shows would close if they were in the 60s for a couple weeks. Does it also help that the intial investment is paid off? I mean does that matter to most shows, or no?

And remember that their tickets cost the same as those shows that are WAY more expensive to keep running... Rent and Chicago producers sure won the lottery when these two worked so good financially, they can really be going for a long time.

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A few things:

First, Rent generally has a very cheap cast; they always use open calls to cast the show which allows for no contract negotiations and can pay all the actors union scale.

Also, the show has minimum expendables, props and costumes rarely need replacement since they are supposed to look run-down. The set is a unit set that is built out of materials that can take a lot of abuse. Likewise, costumes are oversized in general and thus rarely need to be refitted.

Thirdly, it has a very small pit which keeps the music nice and cheap as well.

Fourth, and perhaps most importantly, Rent has a very large fanbase (made up mostly by teenagers) that see the show multiple times.

Nicely put, WM.

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Honestly, I think the powers that be are scared they'll be crucified if they decided to close it.

That is a very good question.

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QueenAnn - you're hilarious. Movies always help!! I love the Roger right now - can't remember his name! That's all!

Another thing to consider is that Rent is co-produced by the Nederlanders. Part of the running cost of the show is actually going into the Nederlanders' pockets as rent for the theatre. So even if it doesn't totally cover it's costs for a few weeks, they are still making money off of the theatre. Considering how off the beaten path the theatre is (at least for a Broadway theatre) and the shape the theatre is in, I imagine it would be hard for the Nederlanders to find another tenant for the theatre should Rent close. (Before Rent, the theatre sat empty most of the time.) So it is probably in their best interest to keep it running as long as possible even if it means eating the operation costs for a few weeks here and there.

WalveMalve ~ I beg to differ on two things.

If you are cast from an open call you can still negotiate your contract.

The same costumes are not used over and over again. Equity states that each performer must have a new costume.


Most of all, I think it sticks around because of it's message and how that message is told.

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Yes but they also have great advertisement all over Times Square.