The new production of Rent has been reorchestrated (apparently against the wishes of the Larson family). What are the new orchestrations like? Are they leaning towards the film, the Hollywood Bowl, or something different entirely?
The changes that they have done are supposed to bring the show to a more "complete" level than the original production seemed to do. Changes have been made to costuming, makeup, and other elements to create a more realistic version. For example, Mimi costuming and make-up should realistically reflect a coked-out 19 year old, whereas old productions never really presented the characters in their full truth.
The music has been changed to reflect a more "rock" score as by intention, and all piano parts have been replaced by electric guitar, it seems.
I'm not sure I like the piano parts being replaced by electric guitar... I was down with legitimate orchestrations being added in (like at the Hollywood Bowl) but taking out the pianos? Meh.
How is that going to work with some of the songs which are written as piano-based songs? I can't imagine Seasons of Love without its pianos, even if it includes more guitar work than the OBC does, as did the movie version of the song.
The new production of Rent has been reorchestrated (apparently against the wishes of the Larson family). What are the new orchestrations like? Are they leaning towards the film, the Hollywood Bowl, or something different entirely?
What is the source for this information about the new production of Rent?
