Rent attendance anecdotes- Page 5

[xoxRogue]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 6:21pm

"It's a special place that cliff. "

Yes. The Cliff. It's magic. I didn't mind The Cliff. It was pretty. And his hair in the wind. That made it all the better. Hehe The Jon Bon Jovi hair.

Hopefully I will be able to see it at 7:30. I most likely will be going alone, which I don't mind. :)

[singingwendy]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 6:21pm

I'm in the Lehigh Valley--about an hour north of Philly. Went to the second show at the theater....(one of the days I was really glad to be a teacher and have only half a day today! LOL!) Since there was no school today for most of the area schools and the show was at 1:30, the audience was mostly high school and college aged students....mostly "drama club" kids, college girls, and the random mom who got to drive all the under 16s to the theater!

There was a great response to the movie...although my favorite comment came from behind me. One person said "Yeah, it was good" and the other replied, "Yeah, that's why I didn't tell you it was a musical, you wouldn't have come"! So...hopefully all of us musical lovers will drag all the non-musical lovers to the movie and enlighten them!

[Racetrack]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 6:57pm

Wow! Amazing! That was so much fun. Anthony. My boyfriend and I saw it today and were completely amazed and astounded. The audience was on the small side but I think mostly because it was a Wednesday and lots were working or going to school. We only bumped into one other Renthead and we mooed. Just the three of us. But regardless I think the audience was pretty well receiving of the film. People got up to go to the bathroom but no body actually left the theatre for good. There were quite a few older audience members which I was personally happy to see.

Anthony,

I'm not sure you would know what type of motorcycle Idina rode to the stage, but I was just curious. From what I saw it didn't look like a Harley but some of us were just curious about what brand or make of motorcycle it was. Thanks.

Wonderful job. Props for everybody!

I forgot to say Seattle, Washington. So Seattle.

Updated On: 11/23/05 at 06:57 PM

[Bohemian1232]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 7:42pm

The Ziegfield was amazing. It was my third time seeing the movie, and I loved it. I saw a screening in New Jersey on Monday, I was going to go to one in the city, but I decided that I had a much better shot at getting in in New Jersey. The theater was about 2/3 full, and I pretty sure that everyone liked it. There was plenty of laughing and crying. My second time was at Symphony Space. That was of course also great.

[Lara2]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 8:04pm

Hi Anthony, I posted my experience in another thread I started. "Stupid People at the Rent Movie" only because I just now saw this post. If you would like to read it, for some reason it has been put in the off topic board. In a short recap, a few girls behind me came into the movie only knowing two things. The Season's of Love song,which they sang, and that Taye Diggs is hot They obviously didn't know what Rent, or it's messege was about.They made rude comments everytime Wilson was in drag, and were shocked and suprised to see two men kissing. They also made comments about Tracie and Idina's scenes too.But I want you to know I loved the movie! Just a few ignorant people made it less enjoyable for me.
I'm sorry I know that's probably not what you wanted to hear, but I do think all of everyone's hard work and dedication showed, and I do plan on seeing it again with friends.
Again, I loved the movie. Great job! You all should be very proud

Updated On: 11/23/05 at 08:04 PM

[ProducersFan]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 8:06pm

If this gives any idea - I went to the movies at 5:30 to get tickets for the 7:20 show here in suburban Maryland and it was already sold out. That never happens unless it's a big movie (like HP, etc.). But fear not - I will be going to the 10:20 movie instead. I need to see it opening day no matter what!

My mom will be accompanying me, and then I think we'll be returning for another viewing on Friday since my dad wants to see it but doesn't think he can stay awake tonight.
And then of course once I get back to school I'll have to go with all of my roommates to see it again...

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 8:23pm

Reporting from a small town in a conservative part of red-state Virginia:

I saw the movie today for the 4:30 showing....it was amazing. It was a relatively small audience (25ish), but the movie seemed to be well-recieved. Over the Moon was really the only part that perhaps didn't go over as well... that scene didn't get as much laughter as I'd expected. There were some audible sniffles during the funeral scene and at the end. The comments that I heard afterwards were all positive, save for one person who said, "Wow, that was a long movie..." which didn't indicate whether it was TOO long or whether they enjoyed it.

On the bright side, when we came out, the lobby was full of people waiting for the 7:00 showing. And totally unrelated, but it was snowing and really pretty outside.

[Trisky]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 8:39pm

Well, I saw it at the midnight showing at the Ziegfeld last night, and like most people have mentioned the crowd seemed to be teens/early 20's. Actually my friends and I were keeping visual track of anyone who appeared to be older than us as we were suddenly starting to feel very old. I don't think we counted all that many people who could check off another box on the age ranges!

I thought it was fascinating listening to the audience react though. Thankfully no one sang along, as that was the other fear and I didn't mind the mooing and clapping along, surprisingly enough. The audience just seemed so invested in wanting to love the movie before the lights went down that you would be hard pressed not to get caught up in that. You weren't there before the movie started but for the 90+ minutes that we waited in our seats I just saw constant camera flashes going off. It was like being at a rock concert, more than just seeing a movie, it was a once in a lifetime experience for a lot of people, IMO.

I'm more interested in the reaction and audience breakdown when I take my mother this weekend (who is 63). She's never seen the show, nor heard any of the music besides what's been playing on commercials or during television appearances but every single time a commercial comes on, she tears up. Whenever she catches an interview she calls me at work to recap it and inform she DVR-ed it for me. I think she was almost more giddy with anticipation for this movie than I was and I was already at full tilt!

Despite growing up and living in NYC, the outer boroughs don't seem to be carrying it in many theaters so we're going to have to do a bit of traveling and so many pockets of NYC are suburban and closed-minded in nature that it will be interesting to see whether the marketing appealed to the truly jaded New Yorkers, the bridge and tunnel crowd!

[renthead112305]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 8:40pm

I live in Middletown CT, and went to see the 4:10 showing at the Berlin Showcase Cinemas, and we got our tickets at 3:30, by the time the movie started the theater was PACKED, there was not one seat left, after the movie there was a group of kids who didn't get in because the movie was sold out for the 4:10 and the 7:10 showing. and i can see why! The movie was AMAZING! I'm going tomorrow and friday and saturday!

[LariTheLoud]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 8:45pm

I just came home from seeing the movie again in New Jersey suburbia. Most of the audience was late teens-early twenties, but I saw a good handful of thirtysomething and older adults. The audience reaction was mostly positive. Much tears!

Also, I heard the 7:10 PM screening was sold out. Even so, the 5:50 showing I went to was pretty packed...

Updated On: 11/23/05 at 08:45 PM

[IveGottaBeME]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 8:50pm

my friend, who knows nothing about musicals, just called me and was like "i've never cried so much in my life.. it was amazing"

[Musical_nerd]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 8:56pm

Everyone was crying but there wasn't too much involvement. Not very full theater. Im in a small town.

[ikmbway]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 9:04pm

First of all let me say it was amazing. My town is a good size with many theatre lovers. I loved the beginning during previews with you doing the fund for Jonathan. The film was amazing and the theatre was packed!! People were waiting outside the theatre for about 30 minutes. When an earlier showing was let out people just started coming out in tears. So as I said the theatre was crowded and of course there were some annoying teens throughout it saying eww when Jesse and Angel kissed the first time but otherwise most people were respectful and into it. At the end everyone clapped and when SPOILER!! Angel passed so many were in tears. It was such an amazing experience but of course with my luck I had to use the restroom and missed most of SPOILER! Angel dying. I have other chances to see it though. Well Anthony great job in the film. I'm also so excited for your book. Keep up the good work in everything.

[jeremykushnier1fan]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 9:13pm

I "MOO'D"...for the recourd.

Anyways, i'm happy to see you back and posting Anthony! I did go today, Wensday after noon, and the audience was not as big as it will be this weekend, I know that for sure. Everyone i've talked to in my high school plan to go and see it this Friday and on the weekend.

You guys did a wonderful job on the movie. There were so many points in the movie were i just started to cry. I mean wow! I can't believe i finally got to watch the most of the original cast perform, plus Tracie and Rosario, who were perfect. This day was amazing, super amazing, super-extra-rific-super-duper(huh?)

You guys should all be extremely proud!
I can't wait for tomorrow night...I'M SEEING IT AGAIN!

lOVE,

kaTiee<3

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 9:14pm

Yeah, the theater was half empty.

Two old people (nearing death) were in front, teens all around, and smack in the middle, two mothers and their 5 year olds boys. The Renthead behind me scoffed and said 'who brings a 5 year old to Rent?'

[Rachel2789]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 9:29pm

Hi Anthony- I just wanted to tell you how much I loved the movie. I live in a small suburb outside of Boston, where I saw the movie today at a 4:10 showing. The show was sold out, as was the previous showing. The crowd was pretty diverse, mostly teens, but also older people in their 20's, 30's, etc. I could hear many sniffs and sobs during Angel's funeral/ICY Reprise. Everyone seemed really touched and moved at the end of the movie, which I was not expecting (I live in a small town where there seems to be almost NO diversity whatsoever). At the end of the film the reactions from people around me were mostly positive, minus a few comments from people saying that they thought that some parts were "too cheesy" (as other people have said, there were some laughs during Roger's scenes in WYO), but for the most part people seemed to really enjoy it. There was a big applause at the end of the film, which I haven't heard at the last few movies I've seen. Again, I just wanted to tell you how much I loved the movie. You and the rest of the cast were amazing!

[wowobball2000]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 9:33pm

Just to give you a bit of background I live in NJ and I'm about 45 minutes away from NYC.

Anyway, I went to go see the first showing of Rent at the theater in the mall closest to me. First of all, it was entirely sold out. Luckily I had a friend get there early to wait on line and get tickets or else I never would have gotten in. When I got into the theater everyone was a highschooler and almost every seat was taken. It was crazy!!!

As the credits rolled on in the beginning of the film the room went DEAD SILENT. Mind you, these are 16 and 17 year olds (mostly girls) and the packed room still went dead. After about 30 sec. of awkward silence someone started laughing and that set the rest of them off. However, when the singing started the crowd reverted back to silence.

Overall the crowd made for an enjoyable viewing experience. They laughed during the funny parts (especially Over the Moon, definitely a crowd favorite) and during the silent part after Angel's death you could hearing people crying. There was only one time when I wanted to throw my popcorn at someone and that was right after Mimi came back to life one girl sitting a few rows in front of me screamed, "Wait!! Isn't she supposed to be dead???"

[Jimbo2]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 9:37pm

Went to the 6:20pm show tonight (Wed) here in White Plains-wasn't sold out but close too it.

White Plains definitely isn't a small town but your line regarding the Scarsdale Jewish Community Center sure got a big round of applause.

Great job Anthony...

[Allie]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 9:45pm

I just got back from another showing in Halifax. Different theatre, though... this was an 18 auditorium one just outside the city. It still wasn't full to capacity. The whole front section was empty. I saw a few Rent shirts this time, though! I think the audience was comprised of mostly college students. There seemed to be a lot of Angel love in the house tonight: clapping and "woo"-ing for Today 4 U, and especially 'Pussy Galore'. A lot more emotion in general from the crowd tonight, although that could just because there were more people there. I think it'll get more popular around here once the weekend hits.

Posted: 11/23/05 at 9:46pm

I went to a 12:40 showing in Tallahassee, Fl. There was a total of 27 people in the theater.. i counted. i did go to the less popular theater in town though, so that probably effected the turnout. the people that were in there were great though, minus the fact that a flipping cell phone went off in the middle of angel's funeral. i kind of wanted to hit that person. three people went with me and of the three one likes musical theater, one is so-so, and one can't stand it. i loved the movie, and i'm happy to say that my three friends liked it too. you did a GREAT job anthony!

[frontrowcentre2]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 9:46pm

Wentv to the fist showing at 1 PM today. Theatre was only about a 3rd full but a lot of boy-boy/girl-girl pairings. :)

Sat through 20 min (!) of previews but when film finally came on the screen the crowd quieted and seemed quite into it. Not a lot of laughs or responses though teh young boy a few seats over had tears streaming down his cheek during Colllins' "I'll Cover You."

At the end somone called out "F*CKing brilliant" and started applause which most of the others joined in.

Afterwards heard several people telling friends they wantyedf to see it again.

My comments? I thought it was a a very good film that smoothed out some of the problems of the stage show though creating a few of its own. The entire cast was, to put it mildly, sensational.

It's not ground-breaking in terms of cinematic techniuques but I like that they just let the characters speak then sing without having to worry about whether the audience will accept the idea of people singing.

Changing some of the recitative to dialogue helped a lot as did the video montages over some of the songs. The first half is still a bit draggy in places, but honestly there is nothing that I would like to see cut.

[Piazzaslight]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 9:53pm

Mine was at 6:45, at the cinema at the mall. Theatre was packed, though I wouldn't say sold out, as we got seats. The audience was rude during the previews (Cell phone light.) However, they were respectful once the movie came on. There was an obnoxious guy sitting a few seats away from me, who was obnoxious when they did, "... Studios Present..." He said, "Spider Man 2." Luckily, his girlfriend told him to shut up, and there wasn't a distraction for the whole film. And, best of all, during the Funeral, my sister, who HATES musicals, save a few, cried during that scene. I took a photo of her face as we exited the cinema.

Anthony: Thank you so much for doing this film. And, if you get a chance, tell the cast I said thanks for making my sister cry. I'm not a cryer though, but I was still sad. You guys are the best on film. Good luck with your next project, whatever it is.

[JenD512]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:15pm

I am bummed I missed the Ziegfeld last night!

Anyway--I saw the movie at 4:20 this afternoon in NJ. It was sold out, in fact, there was a girl standing in the aisle by the doorway. I don't know if she just wandered in from another movie or just couldn't find a decent seat, but she stood there and watched for the entire movie.

Audience was mostly teenagers, and for once they mostly did not spend the entire movie text messaging on their cell phones. They applauded after Seasons, I heard a lot of sniffling during the funeral scene, more applause when it ended, a few kids singing along during the end credits.

And on the way out, there was a big line going out the door for the next show.

As for me, I loved it. I was a Renthead 9 years ago, I haven't seen the show in ages, and never in my wildest imagination thought I would be watching it in a movie theater, and I just really, really enjoyed it.

And yes, Adam's 'Sound of Music' moment was legendary. I liked the "What You Own" scene though...I know a lot of people are ripping it, but I didn't think it was terrible.

When "Rent" opened, I was interning at a cable news station, and did camerawork at lot of miserable places. I vented by listening to that song back then. So watching Mark with the film camera in the ambulance window in the movie brought back a lot of memories that I don't have to deal with anymore. Because I quit my job too.

Can't wait to see it again.

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:18pm

Alright, I just got back from seeing it for the first time ever-- at lynnbrook theatre in Long Island at 7PM. It was SOLD OUT! I think there were two girls from BWW sitting behind me cause they started laughing at the cliff. That was probably the best movie experience I ever had. During previews everyone started to shusshh just incase rent was starting next. During SOL we all clapped with the cast, and during over the moon we all moo'ed. Everyone there was wearing some sort of RENT related item (me: clad in my RENT t-shirt -the big one- with white pants to match..ik ik, after labor day, what would angel say??). You could tell EVERYONE loved it. The line before getting in was OUT the door and onto the street--i felt like we were at the bway show. I wishh, i'd definitely stage door haha. The show was amazing. Anthony, you were incredible. An amazing performance, as always. I loved all of your jokes, and i loved the different arrangment of striped shirts--definitely made me smile. I'm in such a shock, I cannot bleieve i just saw the RENT movie!!! All the shows were definitely sold out at the theatre I went to.

[jeremykushnier1fan]

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:18pm

AGAIN I SAY!