Rent attendance anecdotes — Page 2

I saw a preview screening last night in Memphis, and it was honestly one of the most diverse crowds I have ever seen for a movie. The interesting thing was that many came because they had free passes, and quite a few were not happy to discover it was a musical, but after the movie began you could've heard a pin drop because the audience was so intense. The theatre actually felt hot. Not only did no one leave, but people seemed to linger longer than usual watching the credits and acting like they did not want to leave. I can elaborate if anyone wishes, but I have to say, for that audience at least, it was a huge success.

I saw a screening last night in Philadelphia. I'd say the audience members ranged from 50s to mid-teens, with most of the audience being on the younger end. I could tell many of these people were fellow Rentheads because of their "Rent" shirts and overall enthusiasm.

The audience seemed to love the film. Even before the film, when the lights began to come down, I heard (and participated in) gasps of excitement throughout the theater. Everyone applauded after Seasons of Love, which really added to the exhilaration I was feeling.

There was a ton of laughter throughout the movie. The scenes that got the most laughter were Over the Moon, and La Vie Boheme (which were hysterical).

From Without You until the end, the audience was pretty quiet. When the film was silent, I could hear sniffles and whimpers surrounding me, in which I too was a participant. I could easily tell that the audience was impacted by the darker scenes.

I did see some people in front of me giggling and putting their hands up in the air during the scenes of Roger in Santa Fe. However, this was the only negative thing I noticed.

The audience also applauded after the film finished.

I feel this movie will do well at the box office. I'm not one to make box office predictions, but I think this film will touch many people, bringing them back time and again. As soon as the movie was over, I wanted to see it again.

If anyone is interested in my opinion on the movie, I'll be posting a "review" on the Rent Review thread.

I've been trying to find a midnight showing anywhere around here (Atlanta, GA) but there isn't one. So I'll be seeing it for the first time tomorrow morning. I'm very exited. I'll be going with a group of my friends. We're from Sweden, Germany, Mexico, Australia, Brasil, etc. and are all in our early 20s. They don't know much about the play (well, didn't till they met me...lol), but are exited to see the movie with me.

supposedly a screening in nyc on Monday night 11/21 had about 1200 people waiting to get in

Anthony, when did you type that post? Did you go to an internet cafe in the middle of the symphony space screening or something?

---

rowersunite, there may not have been advance screenings in Ottawa or Vancouver but there have been a few in Toronto. My cousins went to one last night which was a benefit and there were a couple last week. The show officially opens at 12:01 a.m. in Toronto and I know a group of my cousins, their friends and a couple of castmembers from the Canadian cast are seeing it then, about 36 minutes from now!

he really is

---

I noticed that too Fantab, that it was posted between his appearance at 7pm and 9:15 pm at Symphony Space...

I was at the showing last night and the line went around 2nd ave, down 64th, and around 1st ave. I was within the first 25 people in line, it was very diverse. Lots of difference races, ages (from a kid who looked about 10 though I'd say people in their 50s). Some people had no idea what the movie was about (there was an "ew gross" comment from a couple of early 20 somethings when Angel and Collins kissed), but everyone applauded when it was over and walked out of the theater saying how much they loved it.
I'm seeing it again tomorrow in CA (central coast), I'll report on that demographic as well.

Great job tonight at the Q&A Anthony! Hope you get your dessert!

"there was an "ew gross" comment from a couple of early 20 somethings when Angel and Collins kissed"

*sigh* If people are thinking that, can't they at LEAST keep it to themselves?

Yo Whiteboy--

I live in a particularly red part of the Ever-So-Red Tennessee. I'm interested to see the turn out tomorrow night, because until then, I don't know what to predict. I'll be seeing the film tomorrow at 7 PM in a group that in itself represents different demographics. I'll be attending the showing with:
-my mom (47 years old, Bush-voting-Republican *and* avid RENT lover)
-my younger brother (16 years old, loves the show)
-my friend (18 years old, loves the show)
-my gay friend (23 years old, knows the music, loves musical theatre)
-another friend (22 years old, doesn't know anything about the show) and her boyfriend (27 years old, country boy)

I know this doesn't really do any good posting this before tomorrow night, but here it is. I'll post the audience turn out and reactions, as well as the reactions within my group.

---

Updated On: 11/22/05 at 11:36 PM

I will find out in about t-minus 75 minutes.

I am curious to see the size of crowd the evening....midnight showing, mid-week is a bit rough. I am actually going alone because I couldn't find anyone willing to stay out til 3AM on a work evening.

As I said to them all, sometimes you gotta make sacrifices for RENT!

---

I hate when people do that, and not just cause I'm a RENT fan... in ANY movie.

Won't be able to report until tomorrow.

---