Rent attendance anecdotes — Page 6

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#126

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:24pm

I also went to the 6:20 showing in White Plains and there was a girl wearing cat ears and she had a cow bell attacked to her belt!

"Billy, put down that phylactery...we're Episcopalian." - Spelling Bee

#127

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:26pm

"... cowbell ATTACKED to her waist!"

Don't you mean, ATTACHED?

MARGARET: "Clara, stop that. That's illegal." - The Light in the Piazza

"I'm not in Bambi and I'm not blonde!" - Idina Menzel

#128

Well, tonight was my second visit to the film. Same theater as in my post from last evening. But, holy moly, what a difference a day makes.

Last night was a beautiful, inspiring and emotionally fulfilling experience. Tonight, I just felt myself ready to beat the bloody hell out of people.

The theater was about 80% full, and 95% of those who were in attendance were high school aged, probably half of whom aren't even old enough to drive.

I wish this film had been rated R, most of the persons in the audience this evening were not mature enough to see this film. There was almost non-stop talking from 3 or 4 different pockets of people throughout the entire evening. But, of course, our "Minnesota nice" prevented anyone from telling the morons to shut the hell up. The first Angel and Collins kiss elicited an "ewww" from a group of 15 year olds a few rows behind me. Every poignant moment was competely destroyed by snickers. I even felt popcorn hit the back of my head on two occasions...... This is more like the hometown movie theater I remembered, and one of the reasons I try to avoid going there (which is unfortunate, because it is the largest theater in the state and they're expanding even more).

I didn't get a good read of how the people with me felt about it. I really don't think they would have been totally honest with me as they have beared witness to my obsessiveness over the last several months. Hopefully I'll be able to get a better read on them a bit later.

Despite the disruptiveness, the end of the film still resulted in decent applause and I heard several people around talking about how much they enjoyed the film.

Edit: I apologize for the slight incoherence of this review. My attendance at the midnight showing last night resulted in me only getting two and a half hours of sleep last night. The fact that I am still standing is a bit of a feat.

"You just can't win. Ever. Look at the bright side, at least you are not stuck in First Wives Club: The Musical. That would really suck. " --Sueleen Gay

Updated On: 11/23/05 at 10:47 PM

#129

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:48pm

I just got back from a 7:00 pm screening in NorthC Carolina. I live in the most liberal part of the state, if that's at all helpful. I was pleased and somewhat surprised when th theatre staff came in and announced that the movie was sold out, so people should let others know where empty seats were. That was exciting!
I swear, I knew half the people there. It seemed to be mainly teens, but there were some older folks and quite a few parents, it seemed.
People clapped after SOL and a little after a few of the other songs, laughed in the appropriate places, and cried. Many sniffles. There was clapping at the end, and I made as many people as I could wait until the end of the credits so we could clap then, too.
Everyone I talked to loved it. A few of my friends who are huge RENT fans came in not knowing that ANY of the songs had been cut! I kind of prepped them so they wouldn't die of shock, and after the film they said they loved it, but admitted there were several disconcerting changes. I told them it's even better the second time around, which is completely, 100% true.

Once again, great job. This is a wonderful film.

Oh, right. I forgot to say that when we got out of the theatre (the screening room, not the building), there was already a line of ticketholders waiting to get in for the next viewing! The line was loooong.

"Blow out the candles, Robert, and make a wish. Want something. Want something."

Wishes come true, not free.

Updated On: 11/23/05 at 10:48 PM

#130

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:51pm

Hey Anthony. Just got back from a 7:20 in CT. The audience LOVED the movie!!! Their reaction was over the top...and it was a FULL HOUSE! Their was mooing, laughs, tears, and clapping at the end. It was a perfect reaction.

#131

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:53pm

I just came back from my 2nd time seeing it today for the 7:30 showing. I went again to the popular theater (the same one:semi-large town (in southern CT). I went to a fairly nice theater where alot of people usually go.) --by myself. No one was at the house to see it with me. And good thing I was by myself, otherwise there weren't going to be seats! Well, good ones. The only seats available were the 2 closests rows to the screen--and this was in one of the large screening rooms in the theater. Mostly everyone was in their teens/twenties but there were quite a bunch who were older. (I did see someone when I was standing in line dressed like Mimi's Cat Scratch Club outfit. At least, I hope she was in costume. O.O)

A lot of laughs (at the appropriate parts, of course). (Like at, "What's his name?" "Joanne". "Pussy Galore, in person"...and everything I said in the first post. And "This can't be happening"....and "F***ing cheated".). We enjoyed your dancing. (Esp. when your dancing alone in Tango Maureen and at the end of La Vie Boheme B)

It was very entertaining. And everyone hollered when Jesse opened the door to reveal Wilson in the Santa costume.

There was crying, of course--sobbing from people near me. I cried...again....And there was clapping at the end...which I don't really get because it isn't live, but I felt the need to clap also.

I think that's a good sign. :)

I took my time when leaving to earsdrop on other people. I heard: "I loved when...". "I started to cry when..." Everyone was talking about it when they were leaving-good things, from what I heard.

That's mostly it. I believe...well, there was the random 7 year old. That confused me a bit. Oh, and no collective gasp this time, just squeals. But there was, again, COMPLETE silence at the beginning.

Whoot twice in one day!!! It was spectacular.

I did smile at The Cliff...but it didn't bother me--well, it didn't bother me in the first place. I thought it was nice to see the drastic difference between Santa Fe and NYC....And The Cliff was pretty.

Shari Lewis: Did you ever wish upon a star? Lamb Chop: I once asked Mr. Rogers for his autograph.

Updated On: 11/23/05 at 10:53 PM

#132

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:57pm

Just got back from a sold out show in New Jersey. I actually was stunned when I saw that it was sold out. I noticed that before LVB, a few people ahead walked up and never returned.

Audience response was awesome. Many were singing, but no costumes though. One of the most awkward reponses was when Roger leaves and he's singing on the now infamous mountain top. It did result in some giggles. Myself included. Something very 90210 about it.

When it was over though, everyone applauded.

#133

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 10:59pm

Representative from Georgia, here. One of the reddest of them all. Saw the first showing in my area, at 12:50. Theater was not too full, but there were more people than I expected. Although it was a relatively small audience, they were great. Laughed and cried at all the appropriate parts. There were NO comments about anything that could have been commented about. Everyone I talked to after the movie LOVED it. Theater was mostly adults, with a few teens. For conservative Georgia, on opening day, I thought it went well. Hopefully it will just continue to get better. Anthony, amazing work from you and the entire cast. I can't say enough good things. Thanks for this.

"This table, he is over one hundred years old. If I could, I would take an old gramophone needle and run it along the surface of the wood. To hear the music of the voices. All that was said." - Doug Wright, I Am My Own Wife

#134

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:07pm

Well, I just saw a showing in Montana (I assume that fits the red state, out of the way description.) The audience was fairly small (but it was a school day for a lot of people, and this was an afternoon showing.) The audience was mostly young teens, although there were actually a lot of parents with young teens too, and some adults by themselves. Everyone seemed to really enjoy it, and certainly didn't seem offended by anything (which was not a given). There were a lot of tears at the end.

Also, I found it interesting how my family responded. My brother, who I took to see the stage version last year and who actually did not like the stage version, really liked the movie. Both my father and my little brother also really enjoyed the movie (both were already fans of the stage version.) And I was also very happily surprised by the show. Good stuff!

Why do we play with fire? Why do we run our fingers through the flame? Why do we leave our hands on the stove, although we know we're in for some pain? -tick...tick...BOOM!

#135

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:12pm

I live in a small town in CT and I saw it twice today. The first time I saw it was the first showing the day and it was around noon, so it was quiet and low-key, not too much of anything going on.

I saw it again tonight though and the theater was PACKED. The entire place was full of Rent fans and it was amazing. My friend was teaching me to tango, people were clapping during Season's of Love, cheering after the bigger numbers (La vie Boheme) and it was definetly a lively crowd! Just the way I love it!

#136

wow

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

I live in a really small city in NC, and I went today....There were only 7 people in the audience unfortunately, but it was an odd time- 1:40pm...But everyone in the theatre was crying and loved it, if that helps at all.

#137

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:31pm

I'm in Va Beach & saw it tonight. The theatre was pretty packed. We got there as the previews were starting & had to sit in the 2nd row looking almost straight up at the screen. When the beginning credits began we heard a lot of giggling. (I don't know what that was about) Luckily, that stopped before the film started. Then of course there was the girl next to me that must have gotten up 5 or 6 times during the show. Needless to say, the theatre was full of high school kids who had only heard of the movie by seeing the previews on MTV. Hopefully they loved it!!

#138

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:36pm

Okay, 2nd viewing for me after the one at Symphony Space. At the Crossgates Mall in albany, came up w/ the family for thanksgiving w/ my sister. The movie was soldout, we sat in the 2nd to last row and got there like 40 min before the movie started, so it certainly seemed anticipated there. I noticed a couple of people in Rent shirts, but nothing crazier than that. Definitely some big Rent fans there as clapping started when the movie started, and Angel's entrance got applause and you could hear lots of crying near the end, applause at the end, audience seemed to love it.

But one thing that intrigued me...I live in a town that well I wouldn't even call it diverse, but the minority population is greater than the white population, so anytime I'm anywhere where it seems to be all Caucasians, I just notice it. This was the case at the movie tonight. We figured oh we're not in our town so it makes sense but my sister said no this town is almost as diverse as ours and she hardly ever sees it so...undiverse. Which really confused me b/c I mean Rent features lots of diverse characters...I dunno it puzzled me. That aside, great audience, love it even more this time.

"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli

#139

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:38pm

Hey Anthony, back with a full report--

First off, the film is great. Congratulations to all of you. I really loved it.

I went to a 7 PM showing at a theater in a fairly small, but artsy town. The theater was about 1/3 full, ages ranged from teenage to 50's. The audience was very respectful, no one sang (thank God, I would have personally smacked them), and I was the only one who let out a small "moo". There were definitely sniffles by the end of "Without You" and during "I'll Cover You" reprise. At the end of the movie, there was applause and it seemed people were anxious to discuss it. My friend's parents attended the movie with us, and I couldn't tell their reaction...they left the theater as soon as the movie ended. Everyone else in my group loved it. My mom, brother and I have all seen it on stage and feel the movie is very successful.

I'm interested to talk to other people in my area and see what they thought.

Anyway, yay for RENT!

EDIT: I live in Tennessee and we live near the TN/VA border and drove to Virginia to see the film because of the theater's incredible sound system.

"Love is a many splendid thing, love lifts us up where we belong, all you need is love!"

Updated On: 11/23/05 at 11:38 PM

#140

wow

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

I went to see it at 7:10 PM at a pretty large theater in Manchester, CT. To my surprise, the showing was sold out (but I had bought tickets early), and the people in the theater were of pretty scattered ages: Lots of teens, but quite a few older people too. They were a great audience: lots of laughing (at the right places), lots of crying during the second half. There was applause at the end of the movie.

Also, I took with me one RENThead friend, who loved the movie, one friend who had seen the musical once but wasn't a RENThead, and she loved it, one friend who had never even heard of RENT before, and she loved it, and one friend who had only heard the soundtrack, and he loved it. My mom and sister went as well, and they both loved it. As for me...I definitely thought it was the best movie I had seen in my life.

#141

wow

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

Hey Anthony,

I was at the Ziegfeld last night and it was an incredible experience. I was afraid there would be singing, inappropriate reactions, etc--but the audience was amazing and having you and Tracie there made the night complete.
That being said, I'm back from the 7:30pm show in Poughkeepsie, NY. I was really nervous when I walked in because I got there 10 minutes early and there were only about 20 people there. But it filled up fast after that, and while it wasn't completely sold out, it was pretty darn close. It was a nice mix--30% teens, 40% 18-29 range, and 30% 30ish and above. There were some talkers, but it wasn't too distracting. I wanted to kill the girl behind me who kept singing OFF-KEY. It was bad enough she was singing loud enough to distract, but the fact that it was off-key just made it 2908409842 times worse. She stopped singing "Take Me Or Leave Me" as soon as she felt my icy glare.

There was a big applause/whooping at the end...I could tell it was well-received. There was a lot of chatter post-credits about it being very emotional and that the cast had a special chemistry. Numerous comments on the fact that having the cast made up mainly of the beloved OBC made the movie "real," "true," "touchable," and "unforgettable."
The movie was awesome--it was everything I had hoped it would be. I'm glad you're so proud of it, you should be! Please continue to keep updating us with everything--I don't want this Rent rush to end!

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

#142

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:47pm

Went to the 7:30 showing in a NJ theater tonight...surprisingly, the 4:20, 7:30 and 10:30 shows were all sold out. Glad I bought my tickets online.

Crowd was a big mix of age groups. There were the teenage Wicked fans who screamed when Idina came onstage for Over the Moon. There were men whistling as Tracie stormed off after TMOLM. Lots of laughter in the right places. From Without You on, lots of crying could be heard.

Comments overheard after the movie were "I started crying when...", "Even my mom loved it", and "I'm going to have to bring ______ to this movie"...I didn't hear anything negative at all.

#143

wow

Posted: 11/23/05 at 11:54pm

This comes straight to you from what I believe is in the top 100 most conservative counties in the U.S.

If this says anything, my theatre had 4 showings scheduled today: 1:00, 4:30, 7:10, and 10:10. I attended both the 1:00 and 7:10. The 1:00 show sold out. They had to open up a second theatre (I think we have 18 screens). ALL THE SHOWS SOLD OUT. People who had no idea what Rent was about coming in came back for second showings. It was so amazing to see this show that meant SO much to me touching so many other lives.

The response was overwhelming. In the parking lot, all you could hear was Seasons of Love. It was amazing.

OH! and after I saw the 1:00 show, my friend wanted to buy the soundtrack, so I told her I'd go with her to the store in the mall. A TON of people were buying it!

Extremely well done, Anthony. Congratulations to you and the rest!

#144

wow

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:05am

Unfortunately, there were no midnight showings in my area, but I did see the earliest showing this morning, up in Chattanooga, TN. Being at 10:40 in the morning, it wasn't a huge audience, but as best I could tell, everyone really got into it, and there were few (if any) dry eyes in the theatre by the time it was over. A lot of laughter, a lot of tears, a lot of applause.

#145

wow

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:08am

So I just saw the 7:00 show and I went to see it with someone who is slightly homophobic but her reaction was much better than I expected. Overall, she enjoyed the show but she "didn't enjoy how they put such a positive light on that type of lifestyle"...did I mention I'm from Texas?
Other than that the rest of the people in the audience seemed to love the movie and I didn't hear any complaints whatsoever. This is definetly one of the best movies that I have seen in a very long time!

#146

wow

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:13am

midnight showings, singing, mooing, costumes?

sounds like a movie we all loved when i was in high school (oh so many centuries ago... hahaaaaaa)

"Stupidity should be PAINFUL!" - Cam "Yeah - painful for the STUPID not the rest of us!" OMDB

#147

wow

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:21am

FWB-I was telling my family what I heard about the midnight showing at the Ziegfeld and finally was like...wow it really must have been like the Rocky Horror viewing of Rent.

Would love to participate in a viewing like that, but not till awhile after its release when I've seen it several times.

#148

wow

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:21am

I saw RENT twice today; once at 4 in the afternoon and the second time at 8 pm. I live in a suburb out side of Philadelphia. Have you seen the Mel Gibson movie "Signs"? I live in the town it was filmed in :) Anyway, the 4 o'clock showing was in a smaller theater with mostly older people. There were a few high school aged girls that had their backpacks with them, but that was pretty much it. It was full and the audience was great. 8 o'clock on the other hand was insane! It was a HUGE theater and was completely sold out. That particular theater is inside a mall so of course there were about 200 12 year olds in there on their phones and talking for the first few minutes. I must say though that I experienced something amazing. I have seen many, many movies at this theater, and no matter what the subject matter, there are always people talking constantly. With RENT, there was silence midway through the movie. It was amazing. People laughed hysterically at Collins, Mark, and Maureen and cried their eyes out for Angel. I even heard one girl leaving the theater say, "I had no idea what was going on but I couldn't stop crying!"

All in all, the audience reaction was very possitive. I saw many RENT shirts and hats and other clothing items being proudly displayed by scattered RENTheads and I heard many good things. Great job to Anthony and the entire cast. You guys have truely touched many. <3

I had just finished shooting a coffee commercial. And ain't it ironic? I don't drink coffee. Coffee, coffee, coffee, coffee.

#149

wow

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:25am

Schools were let out early so I went to a 2:00 show, and there were a lot of different groups of students. It was PACKED!!!I sat in the back row (so I wouldnt disturb anyone!!) and there were two older women (60's?) who had never seen the show, but their granddaughters said they had to go. they loved it!! one of them kept asking me for tissues. needless to say it was a wonderful way to spend a birthday!!! I let you know how it goes tomorrow...

Sammy

ps...for a pretty vivid review i posted on the other thread.

"...but it was us, baby, who were the lucky ones."

#150

wow

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:27am

We missed you Fredi =o( Last night @ The Ziegfeld was off the hook. It was like someone's last show.. I was that nuts.. it reminded me of the sheer craze at Anthony's Last. It was a beautiful film and I am glad they waited this long to do something the right way.

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