Rent attendance anecdotes — Page 9

I went to a midnight screening at Universal Citywalk. We filled two theaters, and the line before going in went all the way around the upstairs balcony, down the stairs, and all around the downstairs balcony. Mostly teenagers, more people dressed up in RENT gear than I've seen since Kean last October. We got everyone singing in line an hour before we went in. That was possibly the most fun I've ever had as a fan.

In the theater, nobody sang, but there was a lot of clapping, a lot of mooing, and a lot of crying. Toward the end you could actually hear people sobbing all through the theater. It was the most respectful, supportive audience I have ever been a part of. I couldn't be more pleased.

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Personally, I wouldn't give too much credit in the opinions of people that would eat M&Ms off the floor of a movie theater.

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First of all, welcome back Anthony and thank you so much for your beautiful work in this film! It's been a long journey and well worth it!

I went to one of the two midnight showings in the Cleveland area at a suburban theater about 10 minutes west of downtown Cleveland. It was a huge theater, probably 500 plus seats. That theater sold out, so they had to open up a second theater to screen the movie in. The audience was fabulous and very respectful. The audience clapped for Jonathan's name in the opening credits and I got the entire place mooing during Over the Moon, but other than that, nobody sang or talked. It was a great audience, mostly RENT fans, but I did see some people there that were older and obviously parents. Reactions from people I saw or talked to afterwards ranged from utterly thrilled to simply "satisfied". I didn't talk to anyone that really disliked it.

The screening I went to the nexxt day in my town about 20 minutes east of Cleveland was at four O'clock in the afternoon and was nearly full! It was a very diverse crow: teenagers, parents, and even older folks. My friend's parents were actually there without HIM, and my Mom who knows noting about the show and has never seen it before actually WANTED to come see it with me. She REALLY liked it and said she wants to see the stage show when it comes to Cleveland this February. So I know we made at least one new believer.


Thanks again Anthony. You were so great about involving the fans in every aspect of this production. I really felt such a huge personal connection to this film because of that and it just made the experience all the more special. For that I am so greatful.

I'm so overjoyed that RENT will now be preserved FOREVER on film, so future generations can experience the magic of Jonathan's music and all of the cast's beautiful performances.

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Updated On: 11/24/05 at 12:03 PM

I've got to ask..no really..why see RENT if you think homosexuality is so gross? These girls sitting next to me were all like mouthing the words to the songs and such but when it came time for kissing scenes they were thoroughly disgusted. Do you NOT know what you're getting yourself into by seeing it?


Anyway, other than that the theater was PACKED both times I saw it and the audience was, for hte most post, great.

Hi, notsovirginmary-

It's nice to see another South Dakotan! I'm in western SD...I drove to Rapid to see the movie. You?

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I saw that someone from Salt Lake City already posted, but I want to as well. I saw the movie three times yesterday (glad I'm not the only one) and would have made it four if the line waiting for the last showing wasn't insanely long. I was pleased to see that many people.

I got a few looks, partly because I had on all of my RENT gear; but also because my youngest daughter was with me...she is 11 but looks about 8. My 16 year old son came too and also a family friend. To my surprise after the first showing, they wanted to stay and see it with me the next two times; I knew my baby girl Renthead would, but I didn't expect my son and friend to. I had to pay for everyone so I dropped a bill yesterday, but I had planned to and it was so worth it.

The theater staff, whom I got to know a bit while spending all day there, thought we were just too cute.

The first audience, a little more than half full, was wonderful, and probably all 20's and 30's. They were laughing and crying right with me. The second audience were more young people, students, and it was sold out. They made me nervous at first because they were talking so much before the movie started; but to my surprise they were silent for the movie. They were more expressive than the first crowd so that was fun. The third audience were more of a mixed bag, with a few blue hairs, gay couples, people on dates etc. it was sold out too. Ages young teens up to almost death. I was worried about the blue hairs sitting in front of me, I hoped they weren't just Jesse fans from Law and Order and going to get offended by the gay thing in the movie. They didn't and I was sooo happy about that. They were really into it by Tango: Maureen and stayed that way throughout.

A gay couple sat next to my son, one of them told me how cool he thought it was to see a mom bring her kids to see RENT when Harry Potter was right next door. My daughter replied that she loved RENT a lot more than Harry Potter...I was so proud. This couple was very moved and told me after the movie that they would be seeing it again and pushing all their friends to as well.

I love how all of us are covert eavesdroppers after the movie ends. I did it each time, and each time only heard positive comments.

WYO does bug me a little and I still think the song cuts hurt the flow of that portion of the movie, but that is truly my only major complaint. You were all so very wonderful and I have to say that I am damn near about to burst with pride and fulfillment. It was worth the wait and is a sure bet to make a difference in so many more people's lives.

I'm sorry for this posts length but yeah, thank you all so much!

Updated On: 11/24/05 at 12:32 PM

I loved it.

As far as the audience goes, I heard several people saying they were "going to see it several more times" as they were leaving.
Myself included

Because I really am that big a geek... I saw it twice yesterday with 2 groups of friends. The first time I was in Mansfield and we saw a 12:05 so it wasn't very crowded... But everyone in the theatre was silent most of the time, except to laugh when it was funny or cry from ICYR to basically the end. After ICYR, there's that quiet moment, and all I could hear was sniffling from everyone around me as they tried to get their composure back. I don't cry at movies... I just don't. And I was crying my eyes out. I had to cover my mouth not to burst into sobs... and that was basically what everyone else did, too. It was AMAZING.

Then I saw it with my sister and her boyfriend at 10 in Dayton. Aside from one group of people who were extremely rude the entire time, again, everyone seemed to love it. I was really surprised my sis's boy liked it... Because for almost 2 years, Larry has disliked Rent on the general principal that I love it and he likes to piss me off. He and my sister cried during ICYR, and I couldn't really tell if anyone else was because my sister was seriously hysterical. She was still in tears for 15 minutes after we'd left the theatre.

It's an AMAZING movie. I loved it completely. And it made Larry lean over to my sister and say "Oh my god, this makes me want to never fight with you again." Considering they fight ALL THE TIME... I think that in and of itself is an accomplishment. :)

In CT -

The audience consisted of many different types of people - not just theater dorks (although the dorks seemed to congregate in one area; I am included in that statement.). I took a moment to survey the ages as well - the age seemed to average out at about 25, but there were many adults there too.

A few jocks near me were with their girlfriends (begged them to go) but I saw one of them blatantly crying during ICYR.

Applause: when the lights when down (at which point someone yelled "NO SINGING OR MOOING!" (Hilarious.), and after SOL.

The best part was actually the silence in the theatre. There were many moments when people seemed to not be breathing; they were so moved. Without You and the Life Support meetings brought many tears.

At teh end of the movie, no one spoke or moved for about 1 whole minute - it was so strange!!!! I've never experienced anything like that. It was beautiful.

People laughed during OTM and some of Adam's funny expressions - all good things. Everyone loved Collins and Angel, and I could hear people comment on the "silent Mark moments" that were so moving throughout th film. The uncomfortable laughing was during the Britney Spears cliff scenes of WYO. But the chemistry between you and Adam was my favorite. Every scene that you had together felt so comfortable and natural. You work well together.

CT liked you very much!

Wow, a lot of CT-ers! I am one too! Connecticut loves you guys!

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Updated On: 7/31/13 at 01:21 PM

I live in a small town in Ohio, and I acually saw Rent on Monday because a friend of mine had tickets for the sneak. Everyone in the theater was enthralled with the movie. It was one of the best productions I have ever seen. And, I have to tell you, your performance was amazing. Everyone one in that movie had such talent. I was not let down at all by this movie, and that is rare.