Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
OMG, hahahahahha hahahahahaha, my god, Bobby, haha, you're so funny. Seriously hahhaha. I cannot stop laughing. This thread is pure genius! you're so witty! I love it. You're so original! So fresh! You're comedy is brillant. Jeez, who do you get to write for you? I swear. Oh...[whiping the tears from my eyes]...wow....oh, this is so great. Brillant. wow, oh, you should write for SNL or Conan or something. Jeez. Get this man a book deal!
Broadway Legend Joined: 12/31/69
Some operas have spoken dialog.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
Oh, Bobby. Gotta love him. [Cheesy music bump and smile]
Understudy Joined: 5/2/06
Rent is Neither A Play
Nor A Musical
Nor An Opera
Just a Piece of *%*$*
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/9/05
I'd say it's an operetta because it still has dialogue in it.
Kringas / jasobres:
I agree with operetta! The term "rock-operetta" would make is sound a bit lame, but POTO is an operetta as well. Whichever way you want to look at it, there is a difference between an operetta (which contains music AND dialogue) and a musical (which ALSO contains music AND dialogue), but most of the differences rest within the style of the libretto and composition. Opera / Operetta and Musical Theatre are different worlds when you get write down to it, but at least they all stem from the same place...Making it very difficult to differentiate sometimes!
Tootles!
Phantom05
Broadway Star Joined: 12/31/69
So what were LA PLUME DE MA TANTE and BEYOND THE FRINGE?
"Rent is Neither A Play Nor A Musical Nor An Opera Just a Piece of *%*$*"
Oh how wonderfully insightful and witty! You should be a comedian.
RENT is a musical. My favorite musical, but still just a musical nonetheless.
Rent is written more in the style of an operetta, but I'm not disagreeing that is is usually catagorized as a musical. However Phantom of the Opera is an operetta as well, and was written in that style. Phantom, however, isn't and was not defined by that style of writing...POTO is considered a musical in the same fashion as RENT, but neither were written with the intent of being a "book musical."
Phantom05
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/20/03
Rent is a Musical Comment.
Understudy Joined: 5/2/06
I would say something better if it was permitted, but I wont. Nothing about this show is any good. Its loud, obnoxious, and not needed anywhere. It is useless, thoughtless, and is a trainwreck. The score is un-inviting, and the only appeal it has is for high school kiddies, and people who have no idea what the concept of musical theatre should be about.
It is the only show I have ever tried to see three times, and two out of three left at intermission. Maybe if Idina Menzel had spent less time blowing out her pipes in rent, she wouldn't have such a hard time hitting those Wicked notes. Shame that she will have to spend the rest of her life singing Take me Or Leave Me at Cabaret bars.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
The show is moving, passionate, insightful, beautiful, catchy, powerful, and so many more adjectives. Maybe it went over your head or maybe you're an ass or maybe you missed the point. It's a great show with a great message. The score is un-inviting? What does that even mean? Updated On: 6/10/06 at 12:47 AM
Understudy Joined: 5/2/06
I guess everyone has the right to an opinion. I'm cool with that. Its a shame that Mr. Larson passed away. Maybe he would have been able to craft something better than Rent, but then again, probably not.
Updated On: 6/10/06 at 02:33 PM
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
It's neither of those things. It's something that's overrated, outdated (in a way, although AIDS is unfortunately still here) and not very good.
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/14/04
Wikipedia categorizes Rent as a Rock Musical (which is almost interchangable with the term "Rock Opera").
It you had to say whether it was an Opera or a Musical, it is definately a Musical. As is Phantom of the Opera, even if it's written in an operatic style.
So, Director, I guess you make the rules abou that musical theare "should" be about? News to me. For my taste, RENT is everything musical theatre is and *should* be about. Sorry it went over your head like that. That Jonathan comment was very low, and ca nwe get more original with the Idina insults? Now you just bore me.
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/13/05
RENT is incredible, but I think if Larson had not died, some of the imperfections could have been worked out and there'd be less critics.
I agree with the operetta theory...so I also categorize it as a musical.
Understudy Joined: 5/2/06
not low blow. Truth
Overrated is the word I was looking for. Thanks
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/15/05
Let's hear some of the faults with the show, what are they?
Maybe you saw the show with a bad cast?
Updated On: 6/11/06 at 02:01 AM
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/27/05
Nods in agreement with [b]ThereIs1Director[/b].
Seriously I suppose it can be a rock-opera, but to me Rock Operas are just so... 70s. I mean "Phantom of Paradise" and all that.
Okay, RENT may not be you favorite musical. It is not my favorite musical. I like it alright. Yes, I am a teenager. But to make a statement that the only people who enjoy the show are "people who have no idea what the concept of musical theatre should be about," is a little bit ridiculous. My favorite musicals are, for the most part, classics, or part of Sondheim's body of work. Jonathan Larson is not one of my favorite composers (Sondheim and Porter are), but he had some talent. Not all of us who enjoyed the show or to whom it means/meant something are ignorant to the 'higher meanings' of musical theatre. I may be younger than you ThereIs1Director, and therefore may not have seen as many shows, or listened to as many recordings as you have, but as someone who seeks out new knowledge anout varying styles of musical theatre and their history, I consider your statement to be an insult.
Videos