My Rent Rant- Page 2

[PerhapsACreamPuff]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 1:48pm

"1) costumes are different if it is to be modern day.

2) issues of their geographic area are different

3) drug names as vernacular are different

4) AIDS medication has changed the crisis somewhat from what it was then.
"

These are all minimal changes. The costumes, while dated 8 or 9 years, are still things that people wear. People still use most if not all of the names for various drugs that are used in the show and AZT is still prescribed. Just because times have changed a little doesn't mean that the show is now completely outdated. Sure there are new drugs for AIDS and new euphemisms for heroin, but the show's still relevant and understandable by people who speak modern American English.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 1:49pm

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.

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

[PerhapsACreamPuff]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 1:56pm

Great Expectations was written nearly 150 years ago. People DON'T talk that way anymore, we are all removed from that time, by several generations.
Rent was written 10 years ago. The group of people that the characters portray are still alive, some of them are still living the same way they did when Rent first came out, it is about the past, but the very recent past, one which most people alive still remember. You can't call that a period piece.

Updated On: 9/21/04 at 01:56 PM

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:00pm

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.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:07pm

OK!!!!!!!! RENT ROCKS, THE END!!!!!

[PerhapsACreamPuff]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:16pm

"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.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:20pm

I think the slippery slope fallacy is yours to keep. All your arguments can be used to defend Great Expectations. Mine cannot be used to defend yesterdays as a period piece.

What is your line? When does it become a period piece? You have not offered that threshold to me as of yet.

[PerhapsACreamPuff]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:24pm

Two generations. 40 years.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:26pm

What is different between Rent and West Side Story? Why is West Side a period piece. Just cause it fits the 2 generations?

[PerhapsACreamPuff]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:32pm

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.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:34pm

How much does life have to change? I just don't buy a 40 year mark as the official time when it is no longer a modern piece.

[PerhapsACreamPuff]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:36pm

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.

[bially082]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:36pm

Usually a "period Piece" refersto something far removed from todays society. Not something 10 years ago.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:37pm

how far removed, bially?

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:39pm

Well, if there is a cure/vaccine for AIDS (from my lips...) then RENT will be a period piece, no matter how soon.

[bially082]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:40pm

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.

[bially082]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:41pm

Touchmeinthemorning: Usually, it refers to something befor the 80's. Thats been my experience.

Updated On: 9/21/04 at 02:41 PM

[bially082]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:44pm

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.)

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:44pm

I don't understand the arbitrary 80's idea. Wasn't the Will and Grace episode where they went back to the 80s done in period style? Please explain why it is something before the 80s.

[insomniak]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:47pm

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.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:48pm

I think we all agree with you, insomniak.

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:49pm

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

[insomniak]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:52pm

Q could become dated quickly- a lot of it is about society at this minute and other ephemeral things.

And thanks, touchme. Updated On: 9/21/04 at 02:52 PM

[PerhapsACreamPuff]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 2:59pm

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

[TheGaIsSilent]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 3:01pm

LOL, January 20 being innauguration day and all...