Rent attendance anecdotes- Page 9

[NYC_or_Bust]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 11:07am

But that's the problem...it doesn't look natural.....it looks sloppy.

It's kind of like Potts in Me Old Bamboo
Or Peggy in "You're Getting to be a Habbit with Me"

You have to know how to do the dance RIGHT in order to do it wrong....I think the same goes with "natural looking" choreography, you should have SOLID choreography first, and then play around with it.....with the end result being that it doesn't have to look SOLID...After a while, I noticed a lot of people checking their watches, cell phones, and looking for that one M&M that got away on the floor...

[N0tThatGirl213]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 11:18am

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.

[Em-LEE]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 11:47am

I live in a SMALL town in Pennsylvania that is considered to be fortunate because we live 20 minutes from a movie theater. There were four showings of RENT yesterday, and all four were sold out. Throughout the end of the movie (Without You, I'll Cover You Reprise, Finale B) the entire theater was dead silent except for the sound of sniffles. At the end fo the movie there was a standing ovation, and almost everyone I saw was crying. It was great!

Oh, and TONS of people in the theater were "mooing" at the end of Over The Moon :)

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 11:49am

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.

[lukeboy25]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 11:53am

First of all....I threw a party. About 14 of my friends and I went out to dinner and then to the show all glammed out in glitter and eyeliner ha ha. It was a good crowd for being in the middle of Wisconsin. A-lot of teeny boppers arg. but some older people and then we were pretty much in the middle. One of my friends was making nice with a group of girls behind us and then one of them started singing Seasons of Love...I'm sorry but I had to do this to set an example...I turned around and said "If you sing during this movie, I might have to come back there and hate crime you, mooing is ok, singing is rude" Needless to say there was no singing. When the screen started everyone was shushing everyone else and then silence when the rent logo appeared followed by an uproar of clapping. It was great. So there was random clapping and laughter at all the right spots. Crying like no other. the only real complaint I have about this audience was that they couldn't STOP crying. The girls behind up were sobbing...loudly, they'd even look at eachother crying so much and then giggle. arg.....but it wasn't that big of a distraction, just an irritant.

Anthony- I loved this film, it really means alot to me being all the way out in Wisconsin and not being able to see all of the musicals I wish, now I'll be able to see it whenever I want. And even though I've seen the musical (twice) the movie will be closer to my heart because it was a labor of love for the fans, and we really appreciate that. You and Idina are the actors I try to follow the most and you both pulled it off wonderfully. Over the Moon and your expressions in Tango: Maureen got some of the biggest laughs. Thanks for reaching out to us, Luke.

[TheActr97J]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:03pm

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.

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

[BwayTheatre11]

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

And I went to one of the two midnight showings in North Canton, 30 minutes south of Akron, OH. It was a wonderful experience.

I look foward to going to an "average" showing this weekend to see a true reaction of the film...@ midnight, most of the audience were fans of the show.

It is funny...I feel like a part of the film because of you, Anthony. I want this movie to succeed. I want people to love it. It represents something I care deeply about and am so glad it will be on film forever.

Congrats!

[DamnYankees101]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:17pm

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.

[greenegirl87]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:26pm

I went to the first showing in my city, at 11 am, and the theatre wasn't even half full and SOO dead! I was the only one laughing out loud the whole movie! It was so sad


I went again last night, and the theatre was almost full( and it was an 11 o clock showing so thats great for my area!), and much more lively, after Seasons of Love everyone did a little mini cheer thing. Unfortunately, there were two groups that got up and LEFT the theatre during La Vie Boheme...I am not sure why but I am guessing it has something to do with how "conservative" my area is. I almost followed them just to ask them haha. Afterwards everyone sat there for a while, but by the time the "Thank you, Jonathan Larson" came up only my friend and I were left.

[aebi]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:30pm

Hi, notsovirginmary-

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

[hyperchet]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:31pm

Some people at my show of Rent last night were very rude. They would laugh when someone started to sing. They were NOT used to seeing characters sing on screen. They also gasped when the "gay activities" went on. boo. i loved it.

[Kass983]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:32pm

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

[elphatine]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:38pm

First and foremost, welcome back, Anthony (and Fredi)! Thanks for everything you and the cast have done.

I think it's so appropriate that this movie came out the day before Thanksgiving. The second time I saw it yesterday, I went with my 4 best friends. During the credits, after the lights turned on and people were leaving, I stood up, tears streaming violently down my cheeks, and hugged and thanked every one of my friends. Rent just makes you feel so thankful to love and be loved.

Now to the actual movie... I live in a town in the middle of New Jersey that's only one square mile. We don't have a movie theater, only a train station and some tiny shops, but the next two towns over both have movie theaters, so we saw it there. The sound quality sucked, since the theater was so old, which bothered me (the guitar and held out notes sounded horrible), but it was still enjoyable, of course.

I was really offended because people around me and in the theater were screaming and carrying on - booing, shouting "EWWW," other stuff like that - when Angel and Collins or Maureen and Joanne kissed. Yes, some one was actually so riled up at the fact that - GASP! - two men and two women kissed! Holy homophobes, Batman!

C'mon already. It's the 21st century. Go to New York. Go anywhere. Look around. They're just people.

Anyway. The first time I saw it (2:15, Cranford, NJ), the theater was about 3/4 filled, and the only talking action and stuff like that was people clapping along during Seasons of Love, major mooing during Over the Moon, appropriate laughing, and the aforementioned disrespect during I'll Cover You. Oh, and you could hear people sniffling like maniacs at the end.

Second screening (7:30) was pretty much the same... more people, less mooing. Much more respectful audience. I am so proud of this movie. And I'm so proud to even half the smallest part in it because I saw it.

Aaaaaand this is really long. But hey, I talk a lot and I have a lot to say. Thanks again to Jonathan Larson and everyone who was a part of this movie.

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:40pm

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

[circusliz]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:41pm

My sister and I went to the 10pm screening at Crossgates Mall in Albany, NY. We got to the theater at about 9:15 and there were already people in line to get in. As far as I know, all of the day's screenings sold out...the 8pm and 10pm shows were definitely sold out. By the time the theater doors opened, the line was really really long, and everyone was very anxious to get inside.

The audience was mixed...mostly young adults, teens, maybe a few in their 30's. I'm 25 and I felt like I was one of the older people there.

A few people started clapping when the studio credits came up, but then my sister and I made sure to get the audience clapping when the "Rent" title came up. But that was the only time they clapped. I was really hoping that people would clap after the big numbers, but no such luck. There was applause at the end of the movie, but it was kind of scattered.

"Over the Moon" got a few moos, the loudest of which was mine, of course. Idina's bare ass in "La Vie Boheme" got a huge reaction. There were definitely a lot of tears during "I'll Cover You (Reprise)." My sister and I were both crying pretty hard.

Overall I felt the audience was kind of bleh. I wish that people had been more into the movie, but their lack of enthusiasm certainly didn't detract from my experience. I loved it!

[Behind_the_Spotlight]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:41pm

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. :)

[elphatine]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:43pm

"This makes me want to never fight with you again..."

Awwwwwwwww! Sorry, I can be kind of a sap.

[kas]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:44pm

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!

[DamnYankees101]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 12:54pm

kas- I'm in CT also and the audience that I saw both times I saw the movie were 14-30. The older ones, it was amusing to see, were very sophisticated kind of people, did you notice that or is just where I am?

And the Life Support meetings were perfectly portrayed. The chemistry between everyone was great, all the actors were so natural and...god I was shaking through the entire thing.

[xoxRogue]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 1:10pm

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

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 1:16pm

I live in a suburb of Illinois and went to three showings (4ish one, 7ish one, and a 10ish one). All three were packed and the last two even had to have a line waiting to get into the theatre.

[notsovirginmary]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 1:21pm

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

[kegrinds]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 1:25pm

I'm from a small town in western NC....had to travel 30 minutes east to see Rent last night. I thought it was amazing. After the movie, my friend asked if I had seen the family of 4 get up and walk out during la vie boheme. Apparantly, they were offended, but I was so engrossed in the film I didn't even see them leave.
I teach business courses to high school students. I have been telling them that I will give them extra credit if they go to see Rent this weekend and bring the ticket stub to me on Monday. They know I'm a broadway fanatic with all the playbills and window cards I have adorning the walls of my classroom. I hope they take advantage of this opportunity and expose themselves to a little culture and learn something in the process.
Happy Thanksgiving!

[crazynutsokatie]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 1:30pm

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.

[rclocalz]

Posted: 11/24/05 at 1:33pm

I went to see the movie TWICE yesterday. I live in Murfreesboro, TN and the first time I went (1:20pm) They showed it in the smaller theatre, but it was still a good size crowd, maybe %65 full. I went again at 7:10pm and to my suprise it was still in the smaller theatre (holds about 200 people), BUT it was sold out completely. Harry Potter was being shown in the bigger theatres, but I think that might change since the movie theatre saw how popular RENT really is in the small town of the 'Boro. I talked to about 30 people afterwards and 29 LOVED IT! One person didn't... and I farted on her.