Jonathan Larson

Today is the 10th anniversary of Jonathan Larson's last day on Earth. I hope everyone in this community will think a few kind words his way on the 24th and 25th.

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Jonathan Larson
February 7, 1960 - January 25, 1996
".. but it was us baby, who were the lucky ones."

Each time I see RENT at the Nederlander theater, I feel at home. I'm comfortable, I'm warm, and I'm happy. What's on the outside is insignificant compared to the magic inside. To the naked eye, RENT is nothing special. Just another theater among many others on broadway. Just another show, just another musical. But for so many of us, RENT is proof that magic exists. RENT helps us to cope, and RENT helps us to understand life and to measure our life in how much love we put out, and how much love comes back to us. The heartbreak of RENT is knowing that the person who gave us all of this happiness, never had the opportunity to feel at home inside that theatre. As silly as it may be, it makes me sad to know that Jon never laughed at the "newbies" who just think the theater is undergoing renovations, or glare at the conservatives who leave immediately after Mark's mom utters the word "lesbian." Jonathan Larson never put his feet up on the edge of the stage while sitting in the front row. He never ordered a drink from the bar. He never sat in the "key seat." All of these things, to me, are things that he should've experienced, no matter how "pointless" they may seem. Jon never got to see his show be made into a film. He never got to see how much it means to all of it's fans..and never saw how close we all followed this movie in anticipation for that wonderful date-- 11.23.05--.

But then you sit in that seat, and you see that show, and by the time it's over - you can't think about what Jonathan Larson never got to experience in that seat. Because Jonathan Larson lives through that music, through the passion. He lives through those fans that see the show time after time after time, and not because of one meaningless performer - but because of the show itself. Because of the music, and the message, and the way it makes you feel before, during, after, and always. And Jonathan sees, and he knows. He lives through his own immortal words - no day but today. Thank you, Jonathan Larson.

And for today, well, live it - because Jonathan Larson never will.

Updated On: 1/24/06 at 08:38 AM

I know Rent means so much to me and so many others. It's a tragedy that such a great man, with such passion and life, was taken from the world. But as far as I'm concerned, he will always be alive in the words that he wrote that affect so many people. Thank you, Jonathon Larson.

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Updated On: 1/24/06 at 09:13 AM

Technically tomorrow is the anniversary, but I am glad this thread was started early =) Jonathan will never be forgotten!!

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I have no idea what to say. I just... I don't know. Except for... well, thank you.

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Thank you Jonathan Larson. You have brought all of us so much happiness.

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