Rent Closing Rumors/Marketing - From an Old Renthead- Page 2

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:08am

Updated On: 7/23/07 at 12:08 AM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:11am

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

Of course, because you- as an "actor"- are the only person remaining in the WORLD that understands what Jonathan Larson truly meant with Rent. Not his friends, his family, his colleagues...a Tisch freshman whose only connection is the precious OBC Rent video that you've mentioned countless times.

and it certainly doesn't help when there are Rentheads supporting such dreck

Yes, how dare Rent fans continue to give every new performer a chance instead of proclaiming every post-OBC actor as bad because you personally didn't like the leads the very few times you've actually seen it live! (Except Will Chase, we know, we've heard it before- though I feel like he's your "Idina in Rent 10" excuse to save face and "prove" you're not *completely* biased.)

Can you please just copy and paste the link to the 10 other threads where you've given this song and dance before instead of monopolizing yet another thread argue about how much you hate the current state of Rent- in spite of the fact you haven't seen it for years? We. Get. It. Idina = Good. Movie/Rent10 = Bad. That pretty much covers every thing you've said about Rent on BWW.

I'm eagerly awaiting your review of Adam and Anthony in Rent. I'm sure no one here could possibly predict your reaction.

Updated On: 7/23/07 at 12:11 AM

[Akitarent]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:21am

timrobb, I agree with you! Recast with unknowns, brillant! I could not have though of anything better! Really they need yout o do the marketing!

Times have changed but also I feel Rent has kind of been "Disney-fied". There's not that rawness or ambition that was there. Some of that has to do with the age of the show, but I feel the producers are just checking their bank account loving that they have do do so little.

Yes, the movie help boast sales at the theatre, but I agree with Rentboy. The movie has no style. It's funny I have met people that prefer the movie over the musical.

[Craww]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:27am

I don't doubt that the consistency of the talent has severely waned, but I think the degenerated state of the show is being overstated to an almost hilariously hyperbolic level.

Or maybe I'm just sensitive, because I was taken in by soulless imposter Rent.

[misschung]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:34am

Craww, just reading that response and looking at your avatar made me laugh for some reason, lol.

I didn't know that In the Heights was considering going to the Nederlander

[Becky]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:45am

I didn't know that In the Heights was considering going to the Nederlander

I wonder how true that is though - someone on another board (who seemed to have a little inside knowledge) said that wasn't true at all.

They would have to do *so* much to the Nederlander (and it would be costly) to bring another show in........

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:47am

"there would be no spring awakening in 2007 without RENT in 1995"

Just like there would be no RENT without HAIR in the 60s? If you're going to say a rock musical changed the direction of Broadway, HAIR did it LONG before RENT.

[misschung]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:48am

That's true, Becky. I don't know. These Rent closing rumors seem to pop up so often that I just ignore them until I hear for sure. It will be interesting to see what happens after Adam and Anthony's run

Updated On: 7/23/07 at 12:48 AM

[Craww]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 1:00am

If you're going to say a rock musical changed the direction of Broadway, HAIR did it LONG before RENT.

Obviously. But, if you view things as a gradient, it's perfectly valid to cite Rent as a changing force.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 1:01am

^ Good point.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 1:05am

I WANT RENT GONE
GONE
GONE

[jeremykushnier1fan]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 1:30am

Argh, can tasteless comments NOT be made.

Rumors, rumors and more rumors.

[B3TA07]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 1:38am

sorry bff just venting

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 1:49am

I still fail to see how RENT changed things, I see the show being more a product/result than a factor.
And saying that there would be no SPRING AWAKENING without RENT brings out the point about what makes SPRING AWAKENING revolutionary or a changing force?
Apart from bringing a younger demographic to Broadway, I don't see how RENT changed the direction of Broadway in any way.

[misschung]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 1:57am

I thought it was more about the topics and images that were brought to a Broadway stage through Rent. I don't think it singe-handedly changed the direction of Broadway. Saying its a product/result rather than a factor is sort of like the chicken or the egg dilemma. But I think calling it a product takes away due credit to the creative team and cast.

[jimnysf]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 1:59am

We've been hearing for years how "Rent" and "Hair" and even "Tommy" changed the direction of Broadway. Now we have SA. However, having one of these shows come along every 15 or 20 years doesn't seem to be a big change. It's nice to see them come along and gain acceptance, but I don't see how they have changed Broadway. Sadly, if anything really changed Broadway, it was Disney, and ALW as well as the high ticket prices that put regular theatre going out of reach for most people.

[ljay889]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 2:02am

If RENT truly did change the direction of Broadway. We would have tons of rock musicals right now. Thankfully that's not the case. We still get wonderful revivals - and new innovative shows with real Broadway scores (Piazza, Grey Gardens, etc.)

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 2:45am

I think it's stupid to say "real broadway scores." Sure, there's a steroptypical sound, but I don't think Curtains is a "real Broadway score" anymore than Hairspray or RENT is.

As for the thread...

BroadwayGirl107, I think you're living in your own make believe world. I don't feel bad saying RENT should close. It's had a LONG healthy run and it's made tons of money and it's become a classic. I just don't think they should beat a dead horse. I don't want it to turn into a Chicago-esque show where C List actors parade in and out. Let the show close. Give it about 5-10 years, and open it again in an a brand-new staging. I know it wouldn't happen because the staging is so integral to the show now, but it might work. I think it's stupid to expect the producers to "wise up" and change what they're doing. They're still making money, obviously, or they wouldn't have the show still open. So obviously they don't care too much.

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 2:54am

I just don't think they should beat a dead horse. I don't want it to turn into a Chicago-esque show where C List actors parade in and out.
You're kidding, right? Have you checked who has appeared on RENT in the past years? At least CHICAGO gets C-list actors...RENT is more towards the Q-list.
CHICAGO manages to pull some great Broadway performers (Debra Monk, Charlotte d'Amboise, Frances Ruffelle, Brenda Braxton, Roz Ryan, Bebe Neuwirth) and even the likes of Melanie Griffith and Brooke Shields, it also still makes the headlines, and manages to make over 80% capacity almost every week of the year. Plus, the brilliance of C-actors playing C-actors (which is what Roxie Hart and Billy Flynn are) is just fascinating, the Weisslers truly understand CHICAGO.

[Miss B. L. T. Down]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 3:03am

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.

Could you be a little more clear? Are you saying that Anthony Rapp put down the current Broadway production and discouraged someone from auditioning for it and then signed on to return to the show?

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 11:46am

Of course, because you- as an "actor"- are the only person remaining in the WORLD that understands what Jonathan Larson truly meant with Rent. Not his friends, his family, his colleagues...a Tisch freshman whose only connection is the precious OBC Rent video that you've mentioned countless times.

Ah! What would a Rent thread be without orangeskittles and her delusional projections! When did I ever say I was the only person who truly understands what Jonathan Larson meant with Rent? In fact, I think there are a LOT of people out there who DO have a deep understanding of it and others who still have the capacity to; THAT's why I think the show shouldn't close. Because it's a show that deserves to be heard and seen even still and there ARE people who can do it. But just because people have this understanding, doesn't mean that they can become complacent or apathetic or concerned with less important things than the art when they're actually dealing with the piece. It's an unfinished work and it requires extra care because of it.

And since WHEN does family, or even friends have the best understanding of a particular person's artwork? God, if I ever wrote something and it was left to the hands of my friends or family, I don't think they'd know the first thing to do with it, despite th fact that they know me and my perspective on the world better than most. Unless they're artists who have a vision that compliments the work and craft to do it, I don't know why anyone would think the overwhelmingly biased, sentimental framework of a family or friends view of someone's work would be the most clear.

Yes, how dare Rent fans continue to give every new performer a chance instead of proclaiming every post-OBC actor as bad because you personally didn't like the leads the very few times you've actually seen it live!
Funny how you quoted a comment of mine out of context that was about the movie, which has the majority of the original Broadway principal cast and went on to talk about the show. I love how you project! I also love how you think I'm just CHOOSING a few people to "prove" I'm not biased. Wait--what am I biased about again? Oh, it's the OBC. Oh no, wait, but I didn't like most of them in the movie and found a few of them to be self-indulgent at times at Rent 10. Oh, no wait, it's actually Idina. But, again, like I said, I didn't like her at Rent 10 (not to mention a few other things separate from Rent). So I guess I'm biased about...Will Chase?

For real now, WHAT are you trying to prove? Just because my opinions don't fit into your judgmental little categories, you project that I have these opinions that deviate from my "bias" towards to OBC in order to PROVE something, as if I planned this all out! Yes, I certainly sat in the theatre watching Will Chase, thinking "Oh, I'm going to say I like him so everyone will see I am not biased!" Are you insane? Perhaps I should give full-fledged reviews of the times I saw Rent so your perspective on what I ACTUALLY thought of the performances is not so terribly one-dimensional? Would that suit your taste better?

I'm eagerly awaiting your review of Adam and Anthony in Rent. I'm sure no one here could possibly predict your reaction.
Oh, please, predict it for me! I want to know what I'm going to think before I even see it!

See, I don't ever post reviews on this site (I posted one, in all my years of being here), and it certainly seems as though because the my reaction to things like Rent 10, the movie, or recent Rent casts as a whole were less than favorable, that you're getting the terribly inaccurate impression that I hated every performance, every voice, every note, everyTHING that happened involving all of them, which is FAR from the truth. Rather, the gist is more that whatever was happening on the stage or screen was not coming together and forming a cohesive whole and telling a story called Rent, which really relies heavily on that smooth ensemble work because it is truly an ensemble piece. Even if there WERE valuable parts, THAT's the overall problem. Perhaps if you considered that, or actually ever took the time to DISCUSS such things with me instead of projecting your little make-believe ideas of me onto everything I have to say about the show, you'd have a better understanding of where I'm coming from.


And RentBoy...well, yes. Therein lies the problem. It'd be nice to have producers who cared a little more.
Updated On: 7/23/07 at 11:46 AM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 12:47pm

It'd be nice, but I live in a realistic world. I'd rather the show close before every damn American Idol contestent plays a role in the show.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 1:49pm

When did I ever say I was the only person who truly understands what Jonathan Larson meant with Rent? In fact, I think there are a LOT of people out there who DO have a deep understanding of it and others who still have the capacity to

But you did imply that there was not a single person actually involved with Rent understands it:

"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."

I was being sarcastic when I said you were the only person in the world to point out your extreme delusion to believe that of the hundreds of people involved with Rent on a daily basis, you know better than all of them- including the ones that worked with Jonathan personally in the creation of Rent.

As for the rest of your poorly-written rebuttal, you completely ignored my point where you've made these "arguments" so many times before that I (and I'm sure many others) can quote them from memory. There's no reason to post them in every single Rent thread out of some obsessive need to badmouth it.

Oh, and just because you've never posted an actual review of Rent doesn't mean you haven't made your opinions abundantly clear. Ad nauseum.

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 7/23/07 at 2:01pm

I use to be into the show, but last time I saw the show I was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO dissapointed. The cast sucks!!!! I think the show should close for a few years and then maby it could open again with a fresh cast. the show needs a break!

Posted: 7/23/07 at 2:02pm

I don't get why everyone here seems to hate RENT. Personally it's my favorite musical of all time (and yes, I saw the musical before I saw the movie, and yes I saw it well after the OBC was in it).

But to each his own I guess? Except on this board, majority seems to be condescending towards the people with dissenting views.

Like how many board members seem to make it their duty to insult most of the pro-Wicked or pro-Idina posts....Very snobby, IMHO. And a waste of time.