Rent vs Hedwig- Page 2

[kdogg36]

Posted: 4/22/15 at 10:42am

I agree with you regarding the petulance over paying rent, and I think it's a fairly common sentiment. I remember hearing that complaint a lot when the movie came out in particular.

In the documentary that came with the film DVD, I believe Anthony Rapp mentions that Jonathan Larson intended for there to be balance between Benny's point of view and that of Mark and the others. This is surely not the case in the show as we now have it. I wonder if this is one of those things that might have gotten fixed if only the creator had been able to do so.

Regarding the main topic of this thread, I actually do love Rent, but I'm going to have to go with Hedwig as the more satisfying, complete experience. Though I'd put American Idiot above both of them. :)

[jkstheatrescene]

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

Regarding the main topic of this thread, I actually do love Rent, but I'm going to have to go with Hedwig as the more satisfying, complete experience. Though I'd put American Idiot above both of them. :)"

 

I know that part of my love for RENT has to do with the memory of the first experience I had with it, a few days after it opened, with the original cast who was, to a person, so "in the moment" and passionate.  Back then, it felt so life-changing, so present. Time and cast changes (and the awful off-Broadway revival) have changed my feelings into more of an appreciation for what it is and a wonder at what it might have been.  (I know I'm in the minority here, but I loved the movie version.)

 

As for Hedwig, I'll be seeing the Broadway production a 4th time soon, and am really looking forward to it a lot.  There are few shows I've gone back to so frequently.  That said, Hedwig, for me, is one of those shows that is fantastic when you are there.  A thoroughly satisfying show as you watch it.  But I wouldn't count it among my favorite shows, and have no desire to listen to the cast recording over and over (I don't even own any version of it).  And still, I go back...

 

I have to agree with kdogg36 about American Idiot - a show I didn't really care for the first time I saw it.  But after going back to "see what I might have missed" the first time, and the 6 or so times I've seen it since, it is one of my favorites.  I've never driven over 350 miles to see a national tour before or since, and I still listen to the cast recording frequently!