My Rent Rant — Page 2

Of course it is understandable for people today, and some people still speak that language. But, the same can be said for Great Expectations. And, of course, it is a period piece.

That doesn't make it bad...it just makes it a period piece.

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Updated On: 9/21/04 at 01:49 PM

Some people in Europe do, indeed, still speak the way the folks in G.E. spoke. In fact, there are some regions where balls are held where people still dress the same way, etc.

How many people must still act the way some character acts in order for it to be called a period piece?

And, secondly, why does it matter if it is a period piece? Do you think a period piece makes something less important? Or less powerful? if so, you are mistaken.

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"Some people in Europe do, indeed, still speak the way the folks in G.E. spoke. In fact, there are some regions where balls are held where people still dress the same way, etc."

Gawd, who told you this, and did they say it with a straight face? If anyone still wears period clothing from the 1800's it's either a costume or part of some SCA type event.

"And, secondly, why does it matter if it is a period piece? Do you think a period piece makes something less important? Or less powerful? if so, you are mistaken. "

I don't. I think Rent WILL be a period piece, but I don't think it can safely be considered as such for another thirty years at the LEAST. If you start shortening the timespan then you're on a slippery slope, and soon anything made yesterday about yesterday could be considered a period piece.

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Two generations. 40 years.

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because although we still have some similarities to the lifestyle of WSS, life has changed enough that it's not the current period anymore. Rent's still too recent and too similar to modern life to consider it a piece about the "past." whereas those who were young adults in the 50's, and lived like Tony and Maria and Riff did are all elderly now and are no longer living like they did. Furthermore, gang activity and life as a gang member has changed enough in New York to make the rumble etc. etc. not relevant to current society.

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Well it's clear I'm not going to convince you and you're not going to convince me. So I guess there isn't much more to say.

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how far removed, bially?

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And I have seen Rent, and I liked it, but I'm not a HUGE fan. SOme of the music is kinda nice. It really can't hold a candle to some of the much better things Broadway has to offer now. Rent has seen it's day, and that day has passed. The only reason it's still breathing is because all the Rentheads keep feeding cash over and over, and because not every girl in Nebraska has seen the show yet.

I have nothing at all against the show, but I think it's seeing it's finest hour.Love it if you love, hate it if you don't. There's nothing wrong with either opinion. The fact is, that it has brought a lot of people to Broadway that otherwise may not have been exposed to it. On the other hand those that are only exposed to Rent are not really exposed to Broadway. Rent is kind of it's own entity.


This is going to be happening with Wicked 2 years from now too.

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Ghosts is a period piece.
Hair is a period piece.
Rent will be a period piece when something major about it's plot is no longer in existance. For example, finding a cure for AIDS. Or a clothing style that is completely out of our society. Completely (except for the goofballs who still have the long hair and dress like hippys because they still think it's 1971.)

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So just because something's a few years out of date, it's automatically 'old and should leave NOW'? We really do live in a disposable society. Rent's themes are timeless and that's what makes it relevant to today. I saw it for the first time last November and knew nothing of the show (I wasn't in to broadway then and I still don't know much about it)and I didn't find it old and dull.

The big question is whether or not Avenue Q will be dated on January 21...

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I think she was talking about one line specifically, insomniak.

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