Rent Closing Rumors/Marketing - From an Old Renthead

This coming form an old Rent-head..Start the flaming

I think one reason Rent isn’t doing as well is because of marketing. There have been rumors of it closing this fall. I think the producers assume because it’s an old show and it’s semi-making money they do not have to invest any extra money (with the exception of free events like Bryant Park). If anyone wants to help me give Rent an unofficial marketing campaign –message me at the myspace link below. Granted, I know it seems like the show is coming to a close, but if that’s the case, let’s make it go out in style!

The two original stars, both whom were in the movie and have great fan bases, are coming back and no doubt this is the time to cross promote. I have only seen a few small ads (by the cheesy tourism flyers). This should be the time to make sure the cast isn’t trying to overdo each other and really work on unifying the themes of the show. I remember when I went to see Rent and almost everyone was a standout. Now it comes in waves. I know Merle Dandridge is coming back but I don’t see what was wrong with Crystal M. Hall. I saw her twice and I thought she was fantastic. Yes, she has room for improvements but give her a shot at Joanne or move Crystal to soloist and give Joanne to Mia. We need singers who can act and visa versa.

The difference between casts now and when it was still fresh –was that was just it –it was fresh and raw. Instead of it being just a job, this was a generation’s voice. And many of the people who were cast had struggles like that or at least conveyed that on stage. The last time I saw the show it was good but there were many parts I thought that were caricatures instead of really emoting feeling. Not to saw they aren't doing a wonderful job but I just feel it doesn't feel uniform.


neal
www.myspace.com/nealzb

The producers have made all their money. They're eating gravy now. So why throw more money into something? Rent will either continue based on name recognition or go away soon.

My feeling..this is it's swan song.

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Updated On: 7/22/07 at 02:56 PM

What else is there to really do, though? At this point, nearly everyone knows that Rent exists, and informing the tourists who have been living under a box for the last 11 years that Rent does indeed exist probably isn't worth the advertising dollars at this point.

As for Adam and Anthony, I still feel that most people who would be persuaded to visit or revisit the show strictly due to them probably have heard about their return by now. I can't imagine that spending thousands of dollars on billboards advertising the return of Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp would prove profitable considering their fanbases, along with the general Rent fanbase, already know about their six-week stint.

I agree that the show doesn't feel as fresh as it once did (although I differ with you on your opinion of Hall), but unfortunately, having a "fresher" feeling show isn't going to do much in terms of bringing in more revenue, so it's quite clear that the producers don't care. Good luck with your unofficial marketing campaign, but I would feel strange taking it upon myself to heavily promote a show that the producers quite obviously stopped caring about a while ago anyway. That's not to say that everyone in the current cast is bad by any means, but I feel that they're good in spite of the mismanagement of the show. Before we begin some sort of marketing campaign, how about they get mediocre performers like Kyle Post and Troy Horne out of the cast first?

Updated On: 7/22/07 at 03:40 PM

There have been rumors of it closing this fall.

Except there have been closing rumors since. '98. There are always closing rumors.

Down with Rent! We don't need it. We've got Spring Awakening.

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i don't understand how you can say they haven't advertised? there's a poster up in Schubert Alley with Anthony & Adam's face on it. not to mention they had a (very expensive) billboard up in Time Square up until very recently. what do you suggest they do?

The Broadway production is stale and IMO the show itself is so outdated. I do have a strong dislike for RENT but regardless of my personal feelings on the show, I just think there is no point in keeping this show open on Broadway though with its cult-status and low-running costs it may just be the next THE FANTASTICKS. Plus I don't think anyone wants the Nederlander.

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when exactly do they come back?

I think they should have closed the show at the 10th anniversary. I think Larson would be outraged that his show has turned into such mainstream sh*t. The movie totally ruined any kind of "edge" the show had.

As for advertising, I think it's def. needed. Sure the show has been running for 11 years, but there are SO many people who don't understand how Broadway works. Most people don't understand it's a street and that shows can run for long periods of time. My friends thought Wicked had closd on Broadway because it was touring the country. I swear, tourists kind of drive me crazy.

So you mean to tell me what is playing up there 8x a week was his original intent? I'm a HUGE fan of the show, but the meanings been lost and the show has become a joke. Did you see Team America?

And the fact that people across America are being exposed to the movie is what I don't like. The musical was written as a pop/rock opera because it's based on La Boheme. The movie doesn't do that, nor is it shot with any kind of style or concept. It's horrible.

No, RentBoy, I don't think what is and has been playing at The Nederlander for the past few years is Rent at all--I think it's a disgrace to the show, but I don't think that means the show should close just because the powers that be don't care. I think they should actually do their job and hire people who care. I don't think they should just close the show. What's playing now, unfortunately is being present as Rent, we're being TOLD it's Rent, but it's not Rent, and it gives people the wrong impression about the show and what its messages are, as you said. But again, that, to me, means people need to wake up and do their jobs, not that they should give up and let it close.

And yes, it angers me that the exposure most people seem to have to the show is the joke of a movie. It, again, gives people the wrong impressions about the show (and it certainly doesn't help when there are Rentheads supporting such dreck). But I do think that the show itself could still maintain some integrity despite the film--again, if only the powers that be cared enough. Just because a bad film was made doesn't mean that what actually happens on stage can't be full of life and vitality because of it. Like I said...it certainly took a few years off the show's life, though.

How did RENT changed the direction of Broadway?
Why would they close the show to cast unknowns when pretty much everyone in the cast (except for their laughable version of stunt casting) is an unknown?
The show should have closed a while ago but as long as no one wants the Nederlander and as long as they keep making a profit albeit small, it will stay open.

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Plus I don't think anyone wants the Nederlander.

The producers of RENT are the same producers who are about to bring IN THE HEIGHTS to Broadway. It sounds like they want to put IN THE HEIGHTS into the Nederlander. I think that would be a wise move. The Nederlander is just the kind of house that IN THE HEIGHTS would thrive in. I think it would have trouble in other Broadway houses. I think they should close RENT and open IN THE HEIGHTS in the Nederlander, for what hopefully will be another successful, long, healthy run of a fresh new show.

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