RENT Live on Fox- Page 19

[Kavana]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 6:20pm

Whoever said it was the wrong time for this show was correct, It should have aired during December. 

Everyone looked entirely too young and unbelievable.

This was nothing more than a cosplay karaoke version performed by fans

[BuddyStarr]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 6:42pm

Haven’t gotten around to read all the comments in this thread...I was never a fan of the original production and didn’t have high expectations for another Fox musical but I watched it.  I was moved at some of the scenes.  It was a reminder of that time that people with HIV/AIDS didn’t have hope and the government had abandoned them.  The reach that TV has is immeasurable.  Some kid in some small town might have gotten a chance to see the show and feel that he/she isn’t alone.  For THAT, I’m thankful.  Even bad theatre (and I’m not saying this production was bad) and move people.

[Someone in a Tree2]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 6:52pm

I'm here with a completely counter opinion to most of what I've read on this thread.

Saw the original company in '96, liked but didn't love, have waited 23 years to see a staging that matched what for me is a better album of songs than a real show. Last night I got that staging and my God, I thought it was magnificent!

The design scheme was thrilling from the get-go, the mix of street scapes and interiors and band placement and abstract scaffolding and audience all contributing to a complete world in which these characters could live. The lighting was magical, the choreography was smart and kinetic, the camera work was glorious in its complexity in telling a story on many levels simultaneously. In other words-- the direction was hands down the best I've ever seen for this show. Bravo to all!

Did I quibble with some singing technique or casting choice? Sure-- I frankly found both Roger and Mimi outclassed by most of the others onstage. Was I distracted by the audience whooping and hollering for favorite performers? Yeah, for a moment or two. Didn't affect my enjoyment of the piece as a whole. 

When the wall of handbills flew up to reveal the original broadway cast backing the newbies in the finale rendition of Seasons of Love, I was a ball of tears. The idea that this story would be passed on every 23 years to a new generation filled me with such joy that I forgave all shortcomings. This was a RENT I waited 23 years to finally see, and I loved it.

[dmwnc1959]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 6:54pm

^ ^ ^ This. Love your synopsis. :)

[LuPita2]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 6:58pm

You didn't see Rent last night.  That was not the show. The score and book were changed. Watch Rent:Live on Broadway, you will see the real show there.

Everyone looked entirely too young and unbelievable.

Um, every character is supposed to be late teens to late twenties.  Too young??  Hahahahaha. K.

[Wildcard]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 7:05pm

Kavana said: "Everyone looked entirely too young and unbelievable.

This was nothing more than a cosplay karaoke version performed by fans"

Their youth was the whole point of the story! These people are supposed to be in their late teens/early twenties. The tragedy was that people were dying at such young ages. When the OBC appeared in the film, they were already considered by many to be too old for their roles. Of course, it would have been a different tragedy if these were older bohemians still squatting and were still starving artists in their mid-30s. In which case, they need to suck it up and get jobs.

 

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 7:44pm

herewegoabc said: "Robbie2 said: "brian1973 said: "One of the most annoying things about this broadcast was the dreadful audience whooping and screaming at everything

........, E V E R Y T H I N G."







YES indeed....THIS ^ Has to STOP for future LIVE productions. It just ruins the watching experience.

So, why are they told to act this way during the LIVE show? Thoughts?"

I think there has to be a happy medium somewhere. I enjoy an audience's enthusiasm (especially for a show like RENT, which could definitely turn more into a rock concert than a Broadway show at some points). However, the audience over powered the actors on more than one occasion last night, which was especially frustrating since it WASN'T live. It seems like they could have done something to balance that.

I remember watching Sound of Music live and hating how awkward it was with no audience and just dead silence after the numbers. There has to be somewhere in between- a responsive audience that doesn't scream loudly enough to drown out the performers."

Maybe they need to move these broadcasts back to NY? Sound of Music and Peter Pan and I think maybe The Wiz were broadcast from Long Island, NY. It was when FOX started doing these that NBC moved Hairspray to LA. If they broadcast from NY again, they could bring more of a Broadway audience that knows theater etiquette. That might be how you get the happy medium. 

[yankeefan7]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 7:45pm

"I remember watching Sound of Music live and hating how awkward it was with no audience and just dead silence after the numbers. There has to be somewhere in between- a responsive audience that doesn't scream loudly enough to drown out the performers. "

How about acting like you are at a regular Broadway performance and clapping after the song is actually completed - lol

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 7:48pm

Kad said: "While what was shown was a final run, everyone involved was aware it was being recorded and had the potential to be seen. Its routine procedure anddone as a backup in the event that something happens, particularly so future re-airings or releases can be done. They forget to cut to someone in time during the live broadcast? Great! We have a backup, so the DVD release will be fine.

This wasnt a final dress in the same way a Broadway show has a final dress."

I remember the Sound of Music Live had a noticeable flubbed line towards the end of the broadcast right before the festival. NBC re-aired the show later that week and it was gone. It's also gone from DVD. I always thought they had just re-taped it but now reading this thread, I realize it probably came from the dress rehearsal.

 

[WldKingdomHM]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 7:58pm

So how much money went into this

[iabwayfan]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 8:36pm

I agree.  I actually liked the show.  Was it perfect?  Probably not, but I sure enjoyed watching and am glad that theatre is being broadcast to a lot of people who have limited exposure.  I hope to see more shows!

 

TheaterGeek said: "So I just watched the second half of Rent Live. Not sure if it was because I had headphones in and was watching up close on the phone, or that it got better, but I really loved it. Jordan (Mark) Brennin (Roger), Tinashe (Mimi) Brandon (Collins) and Vanessa (Maureen) were the standouts for me throughout the whole 3 hours. Kiersey (Joanne) really came into her own in the second act. Even Valentina managed to affect me with Angels death. Brandons Ill Cover You reprise/funeral was haunting, beautifully sung/acted and powerful. Brennin/Jordan were great in What You Own and Brennin also killed Your Eyes. Maybe I need to watch the first act the same way. All in all it is an important piece of work that I was fortunate to witness more times than I can count. So thanks to ALL of the actors/crew for the hard work put into making us escape for 3 hours!"

 

[bk]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 8:47pm

BrodyFosse123 said: "Obviously no one had any idea of what would happen here, but this nonsense that the cast was holding back because it was a dress rehearsal is ridiculous. They were playing in front of 1100 people - they were doing what they were directed to do (or what no one told them to do - who knows what this director did or did not do with the actors).

This director is the show's original director Michael Greif. He directed both the original Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of RENT as well as this ill-fated RENT: Live!. The TV director (and directing the cameras) was Alex Rudzinki.







"

Well, it's amusing that in all the brouhaha last night, the ONLY director mentioned was Rudzinski.  ONLY him.  You think Michael Greif told his cast to mark a dress rehearsal in front of 1100 people?  I don't buy it, sorry.

[MichelleCraig]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 8:48pm

I’m just happy that AFTER EIGHT is still with us.

[bk]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 8:54pm

LightsOut90 said: "Can people stop ripping apart and over criticizing adress rehearsal? so disppointing to watch the community tear down what clearly wasnt an optimal situation."

I just don't understand what you don't understand about the way these things are done.  They rehearse for MONTHS.  If the director can't get out of his cast what he wants in that amount of time then that's on him.  So, one must assume he DID get out of them what he wants.  They'd already had two weeks of rehearsals with cameras, everyone of those rehearsals were taped.  So, you think a show that's in previews should not be judged by the penultimate performance before they open?  They had 1100 people there, screaming their stupid heads off like banshees, as they were directed and pumped up to do.  You think it would have been different one day later when they were performing for 1100 people screaming their stupid heads off like banshees, as they were directed and pumped to do?  You think the ratings would have been any higher had it gone as planned because the answer to the latter is NO.

[JustChillin8908]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 9:03pm

I was at the first dress rehearsal in front of an audience (back on 1/12) and the energy was about the same. At the time I was hopeful that it would be more polished by the live show, but if this is all they could muster for the final dress rehearsal I doubt an extra day would have made much of a difference.

On a positive note, Vanessa Hudgens was by far the stand out on that day too and I thought she did a great job as Maureen.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 9:28pm

CarlosAlberto said: "Miles2Go2 said: "CarlosAlberto said: "HAIRLIVE is on NBC, not FOX"

Oh, my bad. I saw the ad tonight on Fox and assumed it would be on Fox."

They ran a commercial for an NBC show on FOX? Highly unlikely."

I would have said the same thing, Carlos, but I saw ads for RENT LIVE on various networks. I rarely watch Fox (its shows just don't interest me, as a rule).

[njf1003]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 9:50pm

GavestonPS said: "CarlosAlberto said: "Miles2Go2 said: "CarlosAlberto said: "HAIRLIVE is on NBC, not FOX"

Oh, my bad. I saw the ad tonight on Fox and assumed it would be on Fox."

They ran a commercial for an NBC show on FOX? Highly unlikely."

I would have said the same thing, Carlos, but I saw ads for RENT LIVE on various networks. I rarely watch Fox (its shows just don't interest me, as a rule)."

That's not surprising. The major networks (Fox, NBC, CBS, ABC) will buy adds on cable channels that they think will get them increased viewership. I don't think that they usually advertise on one another, but maybe they did. I don't remember seeing a Hair ad, but then again I didn't really watch the commercials closely.

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 9:54pm

Someone in a Tree2 said: "I'm here with a completely counter opinion to most of what I've read on this thread...."

Oh, damn! Now I HAVE to watch it because I so much respect Someone's opinion.

And just when I thought I had dodged a bullet...

[GavestonPS]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 10:01pm

RWPrincess said: "Maybe they need to move these broadcasts back to NY? Sound of Music and Peter Pan and I think maybe The Wiz were broadcast from Long Island, NY. It was when FOX started doing these that NBC moved Hairspray to LA. If they broadcast from NY again, they could bring more of a Broadway audience that knows theater etiquette. That might be how you get the happy medium."

Where and what do you think Los Angeles is? (And where do you think half of its theatergoers come from?) Hint: LA ain't Pocatello, ID.

We Southern Californians understand theatrical conventions perfectly well, thank you. And I first heard an audience drown out performers in DREAMGIRLS on Broadway back in the 1980s.

The difference you cite may be generational rather than geographic. Perhaps instead of chasing the youth demo, networks should concentrate on doing a show well before a diverse audience.

[LuPita2]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 10:01pm

I think the ratings would have been better if it were live, I really do. The moment they announced it wasn't live I'm sure many people turned it off.  So many on here said it was low energy, that's because everyone was going to give everything they had last night.  They had been rehearsing for months, they were not going to give their ALL to a dress rehearsal.  So, it was a completely wasted night and it was all Fox's fault for simply not hiring an understudy. Would have cost them pennies compared to the millions they spent on this show. It's their fault for being morons, not anyone else.  

[Platypus]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 10:42pm

Random observation from rewatching the broadcast (sorry if this has already been mentioned), but at the Life Support meeting, Keala introduces herself as Cy. In Without You, Anthony Rapp talks about how Jonathan Larson brought a woman named Cy from Friends in Deed to one of their early rehearsals to help them get a feel for the purpose of the Life Support meetings. Thought that was a sweet throwback. 

[A Director]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 10:54pm

After Eight said: "Lupita2 wrote:



"As I said weeks ago, they SANITIZED it. No kiss, they changed SO much of the book for no reason.

How disrespectful to Jonathan's vision and legacy. "



Yes. Just as the grotesque travesties that were the revised versionsof Flower Drum Song and Cinderella were disrespectful to Rodgers and Hammerstein's legacy.

And as the noisomenew ending to My Fair Lady was disrespectful to Lerner and Loewe's legacy.

And as the varied afflictions wrought upon the works of Tennessee Williams and Arthur Miller by the darlingdirectors of our day were disrespectful to those playwrghts'legacy.

Etc, etc.

Yet woe to anyone who dared complainabout disrespecting these people's legacy. In a flashcame the lecturethat arthas to keep upwith the times --- the theatre isnot a museum, after all. And those who wantedto see the integrity of a work maintained and respected?Well they were told just to shuttheir traps and bug off.

But you see, in this world,what goes around comes around. Andnow it's the turn of ahipper, cooler darling to have hiswork tampered with.

Now that can't stand. His vision must be respected; not a word altered.

Funny how that works, isn't it?

Yep, the wheel turns.

See how itfeels?"

Far be it for me to interrupt a "You kids, get off of my lawn" rant, but those productions of Flower Drum Song, Cinderella, My Fair Lady, etc were all produced with the creators' estates permission.  Not to get picky, but I'm sure, at the time, people complained Lerner and Lowe were disrespectful of Shaw's legacy.

 

[quizking101]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 10:57pm

My thoughts, in sequence, after finally seeing it online. I went in having read no commentary from last night so pardon me if it repeats:

- The opening words were changed and I was thrown off.
- The changing of the obscenities is already getting on my nerves.
- Valentina is clearly out of her league. That Today 4 U was not even a drag performance worthy of a back alley gay club, let alone this production.
- Brennin Hunt is a Star, and a SNACK!
- Tango: Maureen was less than the sum of its parts. Jordan Fisher can dance quite lithely though.
- Life Support is my first choke-up of the night.
- Tinashe ROCKED Out Tonight, but my only quibble was her Outs in the chorus
- Will I lost all poignancy when the camera WOULDNT. STOP. MOVING.
- I cant wait for Valentinas Angel to die. Seriously? They couldnt get MJ Rodriguez?
- Wow. Vanessa Hudgens proved me WRONG. Over The Moon was stellar, even with that awkward, cut to the band ending
- Jordan Fisher didnt have the vocal energy for La Vie Boheme But, again, boy can certainly bend.
- WHAT THE EFF ARE ALL OF THESE CHANGES TO THE SPOKEN DIALOGUE OF LA VIE BOHEME?!?! THIS IS SACRILEGE!!!
- I actually really like the way they staged Seasons of Love. It dared to be conceptual and different and, for me, it worked.
- We will never get enough of Keala Settle.
- Vanessa Hudgens WORKING THAT BLACK PLEATHER CATSUIT
- Cell phones were NOT that common in 1991. Why do they keep appearing?
- The lighting for every one Tinashes numbers looks like its own music video.
- So...they kept Contact, which is an orgy in song form? And this wasnt censored out? Huh?
- Angels funeral hit all my tear ducts. Also, thank god for Brandon Victor Dixon.
- Jordan Fishers crying during Halloween was an interesting choice I liked.
- The rock-concert screaming and staging with the audience ruined What You Own.
- Your Eyes is one of my least favorite songs, but I loved this rendition.
- Didnt like the Jonathan Larson tribute and the use of Finale B as a curtain call

[CarlosAlberto]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 11:15pm

ArtMan said: "Years ago, I went to a taping of Designing Women. It took them 6 hours to complete the one episode. By midnight, everybody in the studio audience had left, leaving me there with Gerald Mcraney, Hal Holbrook, and two girls who were friends of one of the crew. When the taping was finally over, the studio pages assumed I was friends with someone and they left me to exit the sound stage on my own. I ended up getting locked in Warner Brothers Studio. After all of that, I would do it again in a heartbeat. The taping may not have gone as planned, but you have an experience that with time, you will eventually appreciate."

This I friggin awesome!!! I loved Designing Women...kudos to you!!!!

[DigificWriter]

Posted: 1/28/19 at 11:28pm

As an addendum to my earlier post, I've chosen to view what FOX gave us with Rent: LIVE as a 'dress rehearsal' for later this year when I get the opportunity to see the show on stage in person, so it's actually a good thing that I enjoyed the show in its long-form presentation as shown on FOX because it bodes well for what I'll get to experience in June.

The only thing I'm kind of worried about is that the cast I'll get to see in June isn't going to live up to this production's cast in the same way that I don't think the original cast's performance as presented on the OBC ended up living up to what they (sans the original Mimi) did for the 2005 film adaptation, but hopefully that won't be the case.