The Graffiti on the Nederlander Theater

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 9:45am

Had some time to kill yesterday. Here are just a few examples of the graffiti on the walls of the Nederland Theater:







Updated On: 1/27/08 at 09:45 AM

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 9:46am

There, that's better. Updated On: 1/27/08 at 09:46 AM

[steven22]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 9:50am

and yet another GOOD reason to renovate and fix up this theater

[James885]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:02am

Yeah all of that will have to be cleaned up or painted over before the next show moves in, even if they don't renovate. But I really hope they do because in the state it's in now, I can't imagine a producer wanting to house their show there unless they absolutly had no choice and there was no other theatre available.

Updated On: 1/27/08 at 11:02 AM

[Gingersnap2]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:04am

I have nothing against Rent or its fans in general. It's a neutral subject to me.

But the graffiti seems a little pathetic...does anyone really care that so-and-so saw the show, loves such-and-such a cast member, or that they can quote some line?

I mean, I love Phantom of the Opera, but I'd hate the idea of phans whipping out Sharpies to write "i saw POTO for my 10 time 2day" or "i <3 tim martin gleason" or "listen 2 the music of the nite" on the Majestic walls.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:16am

None of that mess was there two years ago; only the newest crop of Rent fans are responsible for that disrespectful behavior.

[FOAnatic]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:19am

None of that mess was there two years ago; only the newest crop of Rent fans are responsible for that disrespectful behavior.

but there da bestest rent fanz EvArRrRrRrR

no one understands rent lyke they dooooooo

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:21am

Thats vandalism! What makes you think its OK vandalise a beatiful Broadway theatre. Get a life!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:27am

This is gross.. they definitely need to renovate that Theater...

It's sad! I am a big Broadway fan and I would definitely not vandalize buildings that I consider..temples

This is an outrage! The people who do such things like this are not really serious theater fans who see theater as an ART.. these are KIDS!

J*


Updated On: 1/27/08 at 11:27 AM

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:30am

I am appalled that they even think they are theatre fans of any kind. Lets see some replies from some so called theatre lovers (Rent head idiots is a better name! )as to why they would do such a thing!!!!

[Katurian2]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:37am

I just hope they don't paint over the RENT Wall...that actually has some worthwhile signatures and messages on it, and it very enjoyable to look through. I signed it when my best friend's cousin was in the show about 7 years ago.....

[myManCape]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:42am

The graffiti outside the theatre started this summer with the return of Adam and Anthony. Prior to that it was mostly clean.
Any one who has dated their message, its from summer 07 on. It might be a little bit more meaningful if there was actually 12 years worth of messages there, but its just a few months.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:46am

You signed it! Vandalised a theatre more like it and you sound proud of that fact! What on earth do you mean by worthwhile signatures there

[george95]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:48am

What I wonder about at the Nederlander is the broken-plate art that goes around the perimeter of the stage. The first time I saw RENT on b-way in 1998 I thought that broken plates set into plaster was such a fitting surrounding for RENt, but I don't know what other show would want that. And the other stuff--like the artwork in the lobby that can be easily removed; the primer spots on the ceiling can be painted over; the scaffolding in the boxes can be removed, and duh of course the temporary and tragic graffiti, but it seems like the plates would have to stay?

[RoseStopnikCooks]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:51am

Wickedboy, Katurian refers to something different and much more special:

At the back of the theater, in the alley on the way to the backstage area, there is something called "The RENT Wall". It's been signed by people since the show opened, as well as every single cast member and crew member of the show. It's a really beautiful tribute to what Jonathan Larson's musical meant to people.

However, that is in a place that isn't really hurting anyone and was started as a tribute. It would be a real shame if they covered that up as there is a lot of meaning and love there.

The writing on the front of the theater is disgusting and shameful and should be, without a doubt, covered up.

[RoseStopnikCooks]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:51am

Double post. Updated On: 1/27/08 at 11:51 AM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:56am

I still can't understand why the people who wanted to clean it up got in trouble.

[Kristeliz]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 11:57am

I think they should remove the rent wall and auction it for charity.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 12:00pm

I dont think Ethel Merman graffitied the back alley of theatres she performed in, do you??? Or any other performer with any respect for theatres.

[DaneSaw]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 12:01pm

Someone seriously wrote "RIP Heath Ledger"??! Are you joking?

This wall is appalling. Thank god I didn't see anyone doing this the night I saw the show with Anthony and Adam or someone would have been dropkicked.

[RoseStopnikCooks]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 12:07pm

WickedBoy, Ethel Merman was in a very different generation of performers and a very different style, too. This show changed a lot of people's lives (not mine). I've never signed the wall because I never thought I had the "right" to because it didn't affect me like it effected others. But the RENT wall should certainly be removed and auctioned or preserved in some way. There's so many signatures of incredible performers there and is certainly a piece of history.

"RIP Heath Ledger" is a bit much, though.

[WickedBoy2]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 12:11pm

You got it right with Ms Merman being in a different generation ALSO a different class too!

[jaystarr]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 12:14pm

Im with WickedBoy ... its appalling...

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 12:16pm

Why are we talking about what Ethel Merman did or didn't do? It's not like the people defacing the front of the theater are the performers. You all DO realize that the stuff in these pictures is completely different from the famed "RENT wall," right? That's there TO be written on, in order to commemorate cast members and visitors to the show, etc. It's in a separate location from the fan-graffiti that's in these pictures, in a back alley, hidden from public view.

Updated On: 1/27/08 at 12:16 PM

[Lavieboheme3090]

Posted: 1/27/08 at 12:20pm

Thats what I thought it was. I saw the wall along time ago and that is something that has been going on since the show opened. It's just part of the history of the show.