Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
#0Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:16pm
Instead of watching the super bowl, I made my boyfriend see RENT tonight. I have been telling him for weeks how this show changed my life and how important it is for him to see something that's so important to me.
He kept putting it off for weeks, but tonight I made him go once and for all. Over dinner before the show, he kept saying things like "I can't believe you're going to make me go see that f-ing fag show with all those faggots." I didn't get angry, all I said to him was "Well you're sitting with one right now, so consider this your warm-up."
Throughout Act One, he moaned and groaned, and only clapped for "Out Tonight." At intermission, he told me that he things that RENT is the worst show he has ever seen, and that he wants to shoot everyone on stage and in the audience for being associated with this crap. He told me that Angel disgusted him and that he was glad that Angel had AIDS, and said that everyone like Angel in real life should suffer the same fate.
Livid at his remarks, we walked in together to view the second act silent, basically ignoring each others' presence. "Seasons of Love" caught his attention immediately, and he actually clapped for the song. During "Without You," I look over, and he was balling. Same during "Goodbye Love" and "I'll Cover You (reprise)."
At the end of the show, he grabbed me by the shoulders and looked me in the eyes and said "I am so sorry. This was amazing. This show has changed my outlook on everything, including my own insecurities. I will never judge anyone or anything again for as long as I live. Thank you for sharing this with me. I can't believe I would be so quick to judge something so beautiful and meaningful."
I didn't post this to show you what an asshole he is, or for any kind of "proof" that the show is good. I just wanted to share the story with you because I found it really refreshing to hear this coming from him. He thinks he's better than everyone, hates gay people (somehow he's not included in that) and is a pompous prick. He has given me his word that he will never again behave in the same way, and that this show has opened his eyes to something he never thought possible.
So yes, 10 years later, (Matt Caplan and all), RENT is still changing lives.
BSoBW3
Broadway Legend Joined: 1/21/06
#1re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:18pm
"He thinks he's better than everyone, hates gay people (somehow he's not included in that) and is a pompous prick."
And you are dating him?
Let me get this straight (forgive the pun).
Rent changed your life and led you in the direction you are heading now, yes?
And this direction is into the arms of an *sshole, yes?
So...
#2re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:21pmDon't ask me to explain why I'm with him, that's not the point.
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#3re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:21pm
Sounds like a charmer. How lucky you are.
Does he still hate the first act?
#4re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:24pm
He is very charming.
No. He just said that the first act cannot stand alone - you don't start caring about the characters until act two. I kind of had to agree with him.
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#5re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:26pm
He must have a huge charm to get you to stay with him. He sounds despicable.
And when you said he said that "Angel disgusted him and that he was glad that Angel had AIDS, and said that everyone like Angel in real life should suffer the same fate," what did you mean by "everyone like Angel?" All gays? All Hispanics? All drag queens? All people with HIV or AIDS?
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#6re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:28pmIt's cool that hecame a totally different person in the space of an hour, but I'd watch over the next few days to see if the changes stick.
Tag
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/19/05
#7re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:28pm
"Does he still hate the first act? "
LOL
#8re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:29pm
He meant very effeminate gay people.
It may sound bizzare to all of you, but my boyfriend is very different now from what he was when I met him. He doesn't know any better - he's never been taught any better. He says that each and every day I teach him something about him and life that he never thought before - it's very rewarding.
I don't want this thread to be about how much of a dick he his - I just wanted to emphasize how good this show still is - and how powerful it is, even for the biggest nay-sayers. I found it very moving.
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#9re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:32pm
Well, you've always struck me as a smart guy from your posts, so I'd have to think you'd realize you'd be opening a can of worms when you post what a sh!t your boyfriend is. Not only disparaging something you clearly love, but saying the most wretched things about gay people. Excuse me - effeminate gay people. Does he still hope all those nellies wind up wasting away from the neo-plague?
Seriously. I think this thread is a cry for help.
#10re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:32pm
"He told me that Angel disgusted him and that he was glad that Angel had AIDS, and said that everyone like Angel in real life should suffer the same fate."
Yeah, um.... I'd be a little wary of staying with someone who could even say a sentence so hateful and loathing. Especially a gay man. It displays too many scary underlying demons.
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#11re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:33pmAnd when you said you "had to agree with him," was that hyperbole or does he force you agree with him about other things, too?
BroadwayGirl107
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/26/03
#13re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:34pm
He says this to get a reaction out of me. He knows what will upset me.
After the show he called me crying, telling me that he's a heartless bastard and that I deserve someone better than him. I'm not giving up on him yet though - I'm very pleased with the outcome of the evening.
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#14re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:35pmYou go, Tina.
#15re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:36pmHe doesn't force me to do anything. I may be a lot of things, but I don't put up with **** - that's for sure.
#16re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:37pm
Oh well. It's your life.
BroadwayGirl107
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/26/03
#17re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:37pm...sounds like you certainly DO put up with **** - that's for sure.
#18re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:38pmI need to know what you thought of Tim Howar. It's urgent.
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#19re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:39pm
I still can't get over the comments about how all effeminate gay men should die of AIDS. Wow.
#20re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:54pm
I know you didn't mean to turn this into a thread about your boyfriend, and your relationship with him, but after than Angel/Aids comment, I seriously can't believe you could be with someone like that. A person that voices such a strong, horrible, and utterly ignorant opinion doesn't strike me as a person that's going to completely change after seeing one show. He may have been emotionally moved at the end, but if I were you, I'd be very, very cautious. This thread really does seem like a cry for help. You must have known that posting such a homophobic comment ( even if it wasn't yours, of course) would create a very strong reaction in this community.
I'm sure he must have a lot of wonderful qualities, and it's not my, or anyone else's, place to tell you whom you should, or should not date. But anyone who truly believes effeminate gay men should die of Aids is an ignorant human being, and not someone I'd ever want to know. He's going to need a lot more than "Rent" to turn around. Good luck with that!
#21re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:57pmRight; I can see where going to Rent has PROMPTED him to change things, but it'll take a lot more to change all the other problems that are manifesting themselves in Economy Size Homophobia.
BroadwayGirl107
Broadway Legend Joined: 8/26/03
#22re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/5/06 at 11:58pmRight. People can SAY they are changed without BEING changed. I mean. Come on.
Kringas
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/27/05
#23re: Munk revisits RENT (with a homophobe)
Posted: 2/6/06 at 12:03am
It may sound bizzare to all of you, but my boyfriend is very different now from what he was when I met him.
Eesh. I shudder to imagine what he was like when you met him. How on earth did he woo you, anyway?
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