Rent vs Hedwig

[elderchistery]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 12:18pm

For those who have seen these two shows on Broadway, which one of these shows are stronger or more enjoyable. I think i enjoyed Rent a tad more because of the depth of its story and themes but i also love Hedwig because of the intimacy it has that makes you feel like you are in the story. 

[Kad]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 12:20pm

I think they're apples and oranges, but I prefer Hedwig much, much, much more. 

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 12:21pm

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH!! Heck, I even like Spring Awakening more than Rent. I was never really crazy for Rent.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 1:21pm

Everything in the world does not need to be ranked. Two shows can be immensely strong and enjoyable on their own; the better question is why there are not more shows that have as much impact. I was blown away by both, some people like one more than the other, some like neither. 

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 1:22pm

You act like rent and hedwig are the only shows that have strongly impacted people

[elderchistery]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 1:32pm

No, i love many shows. These two are very similar in style and theme and i've never heard them being talked about in the same conversation so i thought it would be interesting to see them being talked about in the same conversation about what other people thought about their weaknesses and strongpoints and which one for various people is more enjoyable. But there are so many other shows that have moved me or made me laugh. And i don't think that other people who have also been moved completely cross out every other show if you want to bring another musical into the conversation you can but that is your decision. These are two of my favorites and if other people feel the same way it does not mean that they don't appreciate other classic works of theatre.

Updated On: 4/21/15 at 01:32 PM

[elderchistery]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 1:32pm

No, i love many shows. These two are very similar in style and theme and i've never heard them being talked about in the same conversation so i thought it would be interesting to see them being talked about in the same conversation about what other people thought about their weaknesses and strongpoints and which one for various people is more enjoyable. But there are so many other shows that have moved me or made me laugh.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 1:44pm

lol no i was talking to Hogan haha

[JoseLee_]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 1:53pm

I love both equally. Favorite song from Hedwig is 'wig in a box' and favorite from Rent is 'one song glory'. I an emotionally attached to both. They both stand as great musicals by themselves.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 2:24pm

Pinto,

I was not intending any limitation to those two shows; they were the ones mentioned. There are lots of other shows that strongly impact people. My point is that I wish more shows had that kind of impact.

[muscle23ftl]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 2:40pm

I prefer Rent much more

[Jane2]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 2:48pm

Rent very strongly featured the AIDS crisis and touched thousands. Hedwig strongly makes the point of all of us wanting love and acceptance. Both shows attracted a cult following (Rent's was much bigger), in fact, even Yitzak was a HUGE Rent fan.

I liked both, was entertained by both but nothing compares to Hedwig.

[n2nbaby]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 5:24pm

If I absolutely had to pick one of the two, I would have to pick Rent. I know that Rent gets a bit of a bad reputation on the boards but I am incredibly thankful for it. Honestly, if it wasn't for Rent (or honestly, that awful Rent movie... Didn't realize it was so bad as a kid!), I probably never would have gotten into musical theater. I remember seeing the film on Thanksgiving and two weeks later I auditioned for my school musical. I then took my first trip to NYC six months later and saw Rent from the rear mezz and the rest is history. I saw the show 12 times in 3 years. I still adore it and listen to it to this day. 

That being said, I adore Hedwig as well but I wasn't a fan of it until I saw it on Broadway last summer.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 5:30pm

"i wish more shows had that kind of impact" 

There are MANY shows that have strong impacts. Even greater then rent and hedwig. Its not really a rarity like you make it seem (i.e. Hamilton, Fun Home, Disgraced, Curious Incident, Kinky Boots, Violet, Beautiful, Hand to God, Side Show)

Updated On: 4/21/15 at 05:30 PM

[Wilmingtom]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 5:48pm

While not a rabid fan of either, I admired Hedwig's originality when it premiered. Rent seemed like a throwback to the "let's all hold hands, sway and be communal" days of Godspell and A Joyful Noise.

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 6:39pm

Pinto, even though I don't understand how you are defining "impact," assuming that I agree with your list, would we still not want more such shows? In a perfect world, every show would have that kind of impact. That's all I am saying.

[A1st]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 8:05pm

Fun Fact! In an interview with John Cameron Mitchell when Hedwig had just opened on broadway, he talked about how he wanted Hedwig to be performing on the set of another show which eventually led to the Hurt Locker Concept. However, he originally wanted Hedwig to take place on the set of rent!

[aj88]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 8:16pm

It is hard to compare the two shows. I've never been the biggest fan of Rent (I think tick tick Boom is Larson's real masterpiece) but I can acknowledge its value and it does have some wonderful qualities.

HEDWIG is an interesting case because I'm not usually into rock music or shows with those types of scores and while I don't listen to the score that often, I do Like a lot of the music. 

Where Hedwig pulls me in IS Hedwig, the character. John Cameron Mitchell created such a unique and very original piece and every time I see him do it whether it be onstage or the film or the old recording from Jane Street, he has me completely in the palm of his hand and also I'm extremely impressed with how he can hold a spell over an audience. That reason alone makes me choose Hedwig but it is really hard comparison to make.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 8:59pm

In a perfect world, not every show would have that impact because then we wouldn't have shows like Oklahoma, Forum, Hello Dolly, Funny Girl, The Wiz, Evita, Beauty and the Beast, Legally Blonde, Newsies, The Producers, The Drowsy Chaperone, Aladdin, A Gentlemans Guide to Love and Murder, etc.

Updated On: 4/21/15 at 08:59 PM

[inception]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 9:10pm

Hedwig is ok, Rent is ehhh, but Mame is the show that made the biggest impact on me.

Open a new window,

Open a new door,

Travel a new highway,

That's never been tried before;

Before you find you're a dull fellow,

Sucking the same cock,

Walking the same tight rope

As everyone on the block.

The fellow you ought to be is three dimensional,

Soaking up life down to your toes,

Whenever they say you're slightly unconventional,

Just put your thumb up to your nose.

And show 'em how to dance to a new rhythm,

Whistle a new song,

Toast with a new vintage,

The fizz doesn't fizz too long.

There's only one way to make the bubbles stay,

Simply travel a new high way,

Dance to a new rhythm,

Open a new gloryhole ev'ry day!

Updated On: 4/21/15 at 09:10 PM

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 9:41pm

Pinto, why would you think the shows you enumerate are not impactful? That seems bizarre to me.

[Phillypinto]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 10:20pm

They are impactful, and obviously everyone has their own personal experiences with each show, but I don't really think shows like  Aladdin, Gentlemans Guide, and The Drowsy Chaperone made as much of an impact on people as Hedwig or Rent

[HogansHero]

Posted: 4/21/15 at 11:38pm

I agree with that, although sometimes shows have a way of impacting some people in ways that I don't understand. And vice versa. But as a general proposition, I can't imagine you don't agree that more impact is better than less. Which is what I said.

[AaronRichert]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 9:35am

Just to chime in, Hedwig wins. There's no doubt about it. Hedwig wins. Want some reasons why? 

[JamesBroadwayWiner]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 9:41am

Hedwig may have a less linear plot, and I love Rent, but some things in Rent are a little ridiculous. Like the fact that they feel so entitled to not pay their rent. That's never made sense to me, even though they had a bone to pick with Benny, they still should have recognized that they need to pay their rent.