First saw the show back in 1997 w/ most of the original cast minus Daphne. So in other words Wilson, Adam, Anthony, Idina Fredi, Taye and about every last single ensemble member. Next to last row in the rear mezz. *i have my stage door pictures SOMEWHERE* I got to tell Anthony Rapp something that I thought was funny at the time but now look on as being extremely strange. I also got to have a LONG chat with Idina after the show. We talked about West Virginia *where I'm from*, our first trip to NYC, and the show in general. AH. and this was before they started barricading outside the stage door, so it was kind of hard to spot people leaving.
I could feel every last bit of energy coming up to the back of that theatre and smacking me in the face. It was just so real.
There are no words as to how much this show.. well.. opened my eyes to the possibility of energizing theatre that I would have never known about.
It was my gateway. It was my everything for quite a while. However, like all good things it must come to an end. Here's the Myspace blog I posted about it when I heard the official announcement. Granted, this is before the extension, but the feeling of the post is exactly how I feel.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
My youth is over
Current mood: melancholy
Category: Life
Ok,
While this might not matter to some people out there.. There are a few who will relate to this.
Back in 1997 I, along with my friends Jeff and Brad, took the trip that would define me as a person.
We were so excited because we were going to see Rent on Broadway. Anyone who knew us back then would know our obsession. The car drives screaming Christmas bells are RIIINNNGING, One Song Glory, or fumbling our way through La Vie Boheme (A & B) . The carrying around the tapes, yes tapes, everywhere we went. Taping everything that was "Rentified" that came on the television. Picking up the famous Newsweek magazine with the "Rent Strikes!" cover. Basically, if it was Rent we had it or were in the process of getting it.
I went to Playbill.com this evening to find a headline that was like a lead ball slamming into my gut. "Rent to Close in June". I can not express to many of you how profound this show is, simply because of the fact that I know a good portion of my friends aren't into the "Broadway scene". But it was the most real, visceral experience I have ever been a part of.
It's been a little over 10 years later and here I am in my home town again. Not much has changed. I've lived in a few different places. My hair has started to gray a little on the sides. But what remains true is how much that show means, and will continue to mean, to me and everyone else out there who shared that same sense of excitement.
To Jonathan:
I hope Rent was everything you wanted and I hope that it went exactly where you wanted it to go because you've made me a better person for getting to experience your masterpiece.
Thank you Jonathan Larson.
anything you do let it come from you and it will be new.