Rent Closing Rumors/Marketing - From an Old Renthead

[Akitarent]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 1:58pm

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

[Steve2]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 2:48pm

I agree Neal. I think the producers are just coasting along. If it weren't for the advertising here on BWW today, I wouldn't even know that Anthony and Adam were returning.

[Mr. Tuttle]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 2:56pm

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.

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

[Mistress_Spouzic]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 3:03pm

i think theyve simply just put all their eggs in one basket with Voices for Rent. They should be doing more than online, fan generated advertising.

Posted: 7/22/07 at 3:40pm

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

[bertandrew2]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 4:02pm

everything has is 'season', everything has its time.

times up Rent!

[Becky]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 4:10pm

There have been rumors of it closing this fall.

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

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 4:18pm

I agree with your overall sentiment, though I'm probably infinitely more bitter and angry about it than anyone ever should be. But I genuinely believe that the powers that be over at Rent simply do not care enough (nor have they cared enough for a few years now) to make sure the show itself is playing to standards, or even to put much time, money, or thought in the marketing. I still can't get over those tacky, cartoonish "Rent. Now" logos all over the place. I don't know who in God's name would ever look at such a thing and think "Oh, wow, I really need to see THAT."

I kind of wish they'd just wipe the slate clean and start with new personnel in any and every position involving that show. And maybe hire people who, you know, remember what the show stands for and what it's trying to say and why it still is absolutely relevant and important as ever.

[GlindatheGood22]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 4:20pm

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

[winston89]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 4:55pm

I recall someone posted a threat not that long about auditioning for rent. One of the posters said that they spoke to Anthony Rapp and a book signing and said not to. Rapp apperently siad that the show isn't what it used to be and the message and the whole meaning of the show have gone out the window.

I think that with the process of rent becoming mainstream it has lost it's messages and tey now have become so cleche. I do think that even though I love the show and proud to say that I had seen it 23 times that it's time for it to go. It has run it's course and no one will say it has had a bad run at all.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 5:07pm

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?

[*brina-doll*]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 5:52pm

And then there are people like Glinda who say "Down with RENT!" Look honey, I don't mean to be rude to you or anything but I believe that all shows, no matter how disliked or bashed; deserve some sort of recognition. It's alright not to care for a show and explain you're reasonings for it; but blantly stating that a show sucks is rather childish in my opinion. So if you don't mind please keep tasteless comment's like that elsewhere. Thank you

Back to said topic, I do feel that sooner or later it needs to close. I love the show very much, but with Adam and Anthony returning; you know it's run it's course.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 7:06pm

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.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 7:10pm

You can say all you want about the Weisslers and Chicago. But Chicago has been running almost as long as RENT. And the Weisslers still promote the hell out of it. They do their best to keep it fresh. There are always constant cast changes (leads and ensemble) to keep it fresh & strong. And you can't use the argument that the Weisslers just stunt cast. Because so do the RENT producers..and they are god awful at it.

RENT's producers should take a lesson.
Updated On: 7/22/07 at 07:10 PM

[hotpinkpenguin]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 7:12pm

when exactly do they come back?

[*brina-doll*]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 7:20pm

I completely agree with you ljay, but I do feel that RENT's time is surely coming to a close; which does sadden me a bit. But since this is a rumor, I'll wait to say my two cents till there is an official closing announcement.

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 7:32pm

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.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 7:44pm

"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."

That's exactly the kind of attitude that can close the show. Why would Jonathan Larson, self-proclaimed future of musical theater--be outraged that the show has become mainstream? People generally write work with the intention of their message being heard, and certainly Larson was no different. The fact that the show is "mainstream"--at least in theatre terms--is not inherently bad. It's the fact that producers are complacent with the small profit and the fact that's it's running so long that they just don't put any thought or care into what is actually happening on the stage. Everybody involved with Rent has lost the spirit of it.

And how did the MOVIE kill any edge the SHOW has? I think the movie killed a hell of a lot of potential for a huge box office boost at the show and the opportunity for a new generation to really get this story delivered to them with the power it was years ago, but I still don't see how the movie's failure to help the show out financially affected the actual show.
Updated On: 7/22/07 at 07:44 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 7:51pm

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.

[SweetQintheLights]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 7:52pm

According to rumors, RENT closes every week.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 8:05pm

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.

[timrobb]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 8:28pm

i have seen RENT 32 times over the last 11 years and have third row tickets for august 3rd. RENT is not the same in 2007 as it was in 1995. Times have changed and people have changed. However, RENT will forever be a musical that changed the direction of broadway. do you remember the hype over the content of RENT when it first came out? It was front page news for a very long time. the entire production was new to the b'way community and j.l. was a writer with amazing talent.

what should be done is this - close the show for a month or two. recast the entire production with new and fresh young struggling actors who have no name - let them create the new RENT generation.

think about the obc - they were all unknowns and they knew the struggles and made that work for the show.

then advertise the sh't out of it!

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 8:32pm

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.

[timrobb]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 8:44pm

uhm - shows on b'way w/ RENT . . .

victor/victoria
how to succeed
sunset blvd
phantom
cats
les mis
miss saigon
master class

uhm, should i go on? how did RENT change the direction of b'way? you are kidding right - there would be no spring awakening in 2007 without RENT in 1995

Updated On: 7/22/07 at 08:44 PM

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 7/22/07 at 9:14pm

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.