The connection between Rentheads and Wickedites

[insomniak]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:15pm

Has anyone else noticed how these two groups coincide? I've been wondering why. I won't kid myself with thinking that Rent is 'alternative', but it's certainly aimed at a more mature audience than Wicked, but I still see the same people who post 'OMG wicked is sooo awesom lol' post about how much they love Rent. Everyone's entitled to liking whatever they like, but I would have thought that Rent might have evoked a more thoughtful response than 'it is socooll and meaninguful lol!!!' I guess I feel that way because I saw Rent without ever hearing of it of the hysteria surrounding the show and it meant a lot to me, as opposed to Wicked, which was mostly just fluffy fun. Rent feels slightly devalued after seeing things like that- or maybe I just took it too seriously to begin with. I've also noticed that a lot of big Rent fans that I know have dumped it for Wicked, and I'm not quite sure why. My point being, if I do have one, is that I always placed Rent far above Wicked on the scale of shows that meant something but a lot of people appear to feel that they're interchangeable. Why is this?

[zippyjen]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:18pm

i am not completlly sure. I also saw Rent during a hard time in my life and i was more affected by the meaning of the show. I have not seen wicked so i shouldn't really be answering this question. However i understand why some poeple would say rent is so cool because the music is rocked based.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:25pm

I think those who post OMG RENT IS SCOOL are only interested in RENT because of Idina and her connection to Wicked.

I am a fan of both, but I was first a fan of RENT! and I understand it, where most Wickedites don't.

[zippyjen]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:27pm

oh yeah jacobtsf good point. I forog the whole Idina connection!

[insomniak]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:34pm

I guess I'm also talking about the Rent fans who 'love Rent b/c it isso coool and difernt lol'. I saw it and hoped that something like it would have a more mature audience, and the fact that it doesn't makes me wonder if I'm placing too high a value on it.

[MatureDignity]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:37pm

I don't think you (a general "you") can claim that something (especially art) is more meaningful than something else because it's a matter of opinion, and I guess there are varying degrees of articulateness and um, sophistication when it comes to expressing those opinions.

I wouldn't say I "dumped" RENT, but when Cabaret opened it became my favorite show, along with Hedwig. I've seen the show twice in the past two weeks. I hadn't seen it for five years! The show meant more to me now than it did when I was really obsessed. I'm with you insomniak... I think Wicked is fun, but about as empty as my bank account when it comes to emotional depth.

I guess there's always something new to move on to, for whatever reason.

So... I'm going to shut up now.

[insomniak]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:39pm

The more I am exposed to other shows (And I am referring to Cabaret as well) the less I think Rent is the greatest thing on earth. I don't mean to say that it's the most wonderful event in all of theatre, I'm just questioning whether or not a show's fans are reflective of the show itself. (and whether or not the fans of Rent are indeed just like the fans of Wicked- people who think that an ok show is great and deep) Updated On: 1/8/05 at 02:39 PM

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:42pm

"I think Wicked is fun, but about as empty as my bank account when it comes to emotional depth."
Didn't you just say no one can call art more or less meaningful.

Wicked does have it's meaningful points (it seems these points register more with young teenage girls than with most others).

[Alix7272]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:43pm

i don't think you're placing too high a value on it at all. many younger people who love rent when they see it i think love it b/c it's something different - they like what they're seeing onstage visually, that there's all this cursing on broadway which generally doesn't happen in other shows, that the people are singing in a more similar way to how people talk and they like that it is such a departure from traditional broadway music - they feel it's broadway not for adults but for teenagers. i think a lot of them may see it more as a movie and the full intensity and meaning that each song carries they don't fully understand. so no, you're not placing too high a value on it at all!
also, i think the themes of tolerance of all people - gay and straight (which is becoming more prominant but still has a long way to go), not just white and black that we see all the time in books and in shows - is appealing and feels new to them
i shouldn't say them, b/c i am one of "them" but i'd like to think that i understand a lot more of it then most people my age or younger who think it's "really cool"
i also like wicked but for different reasons. it's on a totally different level than rent, not better or worse necessarily but different.

[MatureDignity]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:52pm

insomniak - I hope not. RENT has always had "omg this rocks" fans. A lot of shows do, and I guess age could have something to do with it (maybe those fans just reflect that RENT and Wicked have younger audiences), but I don't want to generalize. Interesting question...

[insomniak]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 2:54pm

Thanks, MD.

jacob, I have to respectfully disagree- Wicked's 'deep' points (acceptance of 'outcasts' and 'be yourself') aren't new or remotely orignal, nor are they really backed up. The show doesn't do much character work and I think those things would mean more, at least to me, if there had been something in the writing to support them besides what the exposition gives us.

[jacobtsf]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 3:03pm

Wicked's 'deep' points (acceptance of 'outcasts' and 'be yourself') aren't new or remotely orignal"

But the young adults in question (who have never seen a Broadway show before) are probably seeing and hearing them (from someone other than parents/teachers) for the first time in a show that is fluffy fun. There is a girl (12) I know who was depressed, until she saw Wicked. Don't ask me why but seeing it changed her vision of the world.

[MatureDignity]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 3:04pm

jacob-- yes, but I meant that I don't think anyone can claim that something is more meaningful than something else as an absolute-- because of it being a matter of opinion. Sorry, I could've worded it better.

[gertiecummings]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 3:25pm

I'm both a Wickedite and a Renthead. Both shows move me. Right now the CDs are taking turns in my CD player. Who says you can't be both?

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 3:28pm

The great what 'if' is...would WICKED still be the phenomena it is if is did NOT star a former RENT star?

[BSoBW2]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 3:29pm

I think people appreciate each differently.

Rent is like the serious older-brother that teaches you everything. Everything sad usually happens to him.

Wicked is like the cute younger brother with whom you can play and have a good time.

Both shows are so radically different but they both have that "rock" music type score (Rent more so obviously) instead of the more traditional Broadway scores of Sondheim and Webber...

[ashley0139]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 3:49pm

I also was a fan of Rent way before Wicked became popular. However, I will say I like both. I have not seen Wicked, but Rent really did have an emotional impact on me and, of the shows I have seen, it has one of my favorite stories with great emotion. Wicked I like because I think the music is fun, it has a good story, and I more became a fan of it because I loved Idina so much in Rent. They are both just so different I don't think you can compare them. Just my 2 cents.

Ashley

[Chloe]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 4:02pm

I can't compare the two shows, but I don't think that either should be devalued because of what some of their fans are like. Any piece of art (or entertainment) has the possibility of touching people on many different levels.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 4:07pm

The great what 'if' is...would WICKED still be the phenomena it is if is did NOT star a former RENT star?


Yes.
Sadly, as is the case with most musicals on B'way today, the performers are not the stars. The show (along with the logo) is the star.
Idina's leaving will have absolutely no effect on the box office. As Kristin's didn't

[zippyjen]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 4:10pm

"Any piece of art (or entertainment) has the possibility of touching people on many different levels." I agrree completlly. Again i have not seen Wicked so i can't really compare the two but i know the No day but today concept in Rent impacted me tremendeslly.

[WhereAmIGoingTo]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 4:10pm

Wow. This is a really, really interesting thread I think.

BSoBW2- I LOVE the way you put it. And I agree.

Alix- Wow. Also loved your post. I concur.

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 4:24pm

I think people appreciate each differently.

Rent is like the serious older-brother that teaches you everything. Everything sad usually happens to him.

Wicked is like the cute younger brother with whom you can play and have a good time.

Both shows are so radically different but they both have that "rock" music type score (Rent more so obviously) instead of the more traditional Broadway scores of Sondheim and Webber...



I definitly agree, and I think a lot of the connection does stem from Idina as well (kids hear / see Wicked and then find their way to Rent or visa versa)...but for me, at least, the reason why I love both musicals is because they are different like BSoBW2 described. When I am in the mood for bubbly happy etc. I listen to Wicked, but when I need a deeper and more intense sound I listen to Rent. They are similar enough in sound that someone who likes the style of one can easily listen and like the style of the other, but at the same time they are meant for different emotional points in ones life.

If that makes sense...

[My Fair Lady]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 6:43pm

I'm seeing Rent next week (January 16). I can't wait!

[LoudIrishGirl]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 6:47pm

yea! the first time is always fun. = )

[renthead2005z]

Posted: 1/8/05 at 6:49pm

I don't know why i think this is soo cool but Anthony Rapp did rent and you're a good man, charlie brown, Kristin Chenoweth did You're a good man, Charlie Brown and Wicked, and Idina Menzel did Rent and Wicked. I am easily ammused.