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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 15:06:29 GMT
i feel RENT isn't something you can just listen to if you havent seen it.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2016 15:15:53 GMT
I feel like RENT is almost a theatrical relative of Catcher In The Rye, in that if you discover it for yourself, and it's the right time for you, then it sings deeply to you and will always be important to you. But if you're too late in your personal development, or if you're doing it 'cos you've been pushed into it, then it's never going to mean as much to you. And that's okay, but I see how it can be frustrating if you're one of the underwhelmed people, feeling like you're surrounded by obsessive fans.
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Post by bengal73 on Nov 23, 2016 16:19:25 GMT
I do think it passed me by a little at the time it would have spoken to me more. I could clearly pick out the themes that friends have raved about but the delivery left me cold. I wont dismiss it completely until I've seen it for myself but im not sure its for me.
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Post by danb on Nov 23, 2016 16:53:29 GMT
Couldn't agree more. It attached itself to me in Dress Circle one day and never let go; then came on holiday with us to really bed in! I hope it does ok on tour, Lucie Jones had promised a Bristol date but nothing has materialised so far. I think the WMC stage will be too big for it.
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Post by viserys on Nov 23, 2016 17:18:51 GMT
I remember when Rent came out - the buzz was similar as that of Hamilton last year (before it got utterly hysterical, but I think that's due to today's social media opportunities and all that). People talked about the first production at NYTW and the transfer to Broadway and of course Jonathan Larson's sad untimely death.
For me, when I got hold of the 2-CD-Set, it took me by storm. Mostly because it felt like SUCH a fresh breath of air at the time. These were the early 90s after all when Cam Mack's and ALWs weepies like Phantom, Les Mis and Miss Saigon clogged up the theatres and there were a hundred terrible copycat productions of every conceivable English literature classic in print (and then some). Here at last was a show that wasn't about some distant past, about the woes of phantoms, beasts or mangy cats, but about REAL people, people my age, people who lived here and now in the real world, using modern rock music to tell their tales (which, again, I guess is how many young people feel about Hamilton now and its contemporary music and touching on contemporary topics like immigration).
When I finally got a chance to see Rent live (in London, with the guys from Broadway) I was a tearful mess and wrote one of the few enthusiastic fan letters I've ever written to the cast in general. I revisited it in London, saw a few other productions and finally had a wish come true to see it in New York a year or so before it closed.
I don't really listen to it much anymore and I'm curious to see how I will feel about it when it revisit it at the St. James in January after such a long time. Like other shows about (then) contemporary pop culture it ages quickly. Hair with its flower power spirit now feels more like a museum piece, too. But I also asgree with Baemax, it needs to catch you at the right time in your life when the characters speak to you. Now that I'm older and more cynic, I'm also more of the "sheesh, just get a job you wannabe-artists!" school of thought.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2016 15:19:12 GMT
I feel like RENT is almost a theatrical relative of Catcher In The Rye, in that if you discover it for yourself, and it's the right time for you, then it sings deeply to you and will always be important to you. But if you're too late in your personal development, or if you're doing it 'cos you've been pushed into it, then it's never going to mean as much to you. And that's okay, but I see how it can be frustrating if you're one of the underwhelmed people, feeling like you're surrounded by obsessive fans. This is how I've always explained it to people. It's a thing that I think just captures you at the right moment or it doesn't. After way too many years with my head in it, I can 100% pick apart the flaws, I can tell you what should be fixed to make it a better musical, what has dated etc. But damn if it doesn't have my heart.
I think it really is about where you were when you find it- I was 19 living in a foreign country, going through all manner of family crap it's no surprise it caught my imagination. (Admittedly I held onto it a bit more to the extreme than others).
But I get how some people don't click with it. And I'd never want to be that fan.
I've gone away and come back to it time and time again, but I think it'll always be a little bit there.
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Post by haz23 on Nov 29, 2016 16:41:19 GMT
Just booked to see it in it's final week at the St James - really excited!
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Post by westendcub on Dec 1, 2016 13:34:21 GMT
I feel like RENT is almost a theatrical relative of Catcher In The Rye, in that if you discover it for yourself, and it's the right time for you, then it sings deeply to you and will always be important to you. But if you're too late in your personal development, or if you're doing it 'cos you've been pushed into it, then it's never going to mean as much to you. And that's okay, but I see how it can be frustrating if you're one of the underwhelmed people, feeling like you're surrounded by obsessive fans. This is how I've always explained it to people. It's a thing that I think just captures you at the right moment or it doesn't. After way too many years with my head in it, I can 100% pick apart the flaws, I can tell you what should be fixed to make it a better musical, what has dated etc. But damn if it doesn't have my heart.
I think it really is about where you were when you find it- I was 19 living in a foreign country, going through all manner of family crap it's no surprise it caught my imagination. (Admittedly I held onto it a bit more to the extreme than others).
But I get how some people don't click with it. And I'd never want to be that fan.
I've gone away and come back to it time and time again, but I think it'll always be a little bit there.
I feel a great sadness that Jonathan Larson passed away the night before the premier of the Off-Broadway production and never fully got to see the impact and impression of his work on the theater scene. I got introduced really by the film, I was living in New York at the time and went to see it on it's opening weekend at the cinema in Times Square. I was familiar with some songs (Seasons of Love) and whilst the film wasn't perfect (some of the direction lousy and some harsh cuts) I could see it had an interesting story and score so I seeked out the original 2-disc cast CD and it soon become a huge favorite, I then also in my time in New York (2006) went to see it on Broadway, we entered the evening lottery and my intern friend was successful in winning and the other ticket went to her cousin but I was able to get a $40 bucks ticket center of the circle and it was so wonderful the score coming to life on the Broadway stage in front of me and I felt an instant connection with the show (I also had great fun drinking with the cast in Bar 41 afterwards). I saw the Rent:Remixed version and now look forward to seeing this again a week on Saturday as this show is something I feel so connected with.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2016 13:48:42 GMT
I feel the same sadness. I also feel a greater sadness that we never got to see what he'd go on to do and who he's collaborate with.
I too have such a love for the film, although it's flawed it also always seemed very much a labour of love, and I also remember it being a time fans were all very united in waiting to finally have this new version with the old cast.
On a personal note, last week I got to be introduced to Adam Pascal (by a mutual friend, and also fellow Rent fan) and tell him I spent a stupid number of years writing a PhD partly on Rent, and that my friend and I are also friends because of Rent. That was even for a grown up and cynical Rent fan, pretty damn special. The next day I also felt compelled to go for a walk in the East Village... we grow up but it refuses to fully let go haha!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2016 14:35:14 GMT
Whenever I get sentimental about 'Rent', my thoughts always drift to 'Rent:Remixed'.
That soon sorts me out.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2016 14:59:40 GMT
Whenever I get sentimental about 'Rent', my thoughts always drift to 'Rent:Remixed'. That soon sorts me out. it's a fair point...I've had to re-live the re-mix more times than I wish to think about in the name of research. When I close my eyes I still see that glaring white set and hear the girl from the Sugababes murdering 'Out Tonight' *shudder*
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Post by MoreLife on Dec 1, 2016 16:31:51 GMT
it's a fair point...I've had to re-live the re-mix more times than I wish to think about in the name of research. When I close my eyes I still see that glaring white set and hear the girl from the Sugababes murdering 'Out Tonight' *shudder* And that must be when, in the background, "What I did for love" starts to play... because only the most genuine passion for the topic of your research can justify re-living the re-mix several times! I have to confess I'd be curious to read your thesis...
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Post by Mark on Dec 1, 2016 17:23:47 GMT
The London run is pretty much sold out which is incredible! Seeing it on the 10th and really looking forward to it
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Post by londontheatrefan on Dec 6, 2016 18:57:55 GMT
I was booked to see Rent on Friday and now am unable to go so I have two tickets to sell - would anyone be interested? I'm selling at face value - £19.50 per ticket - and could meet the seller Friday evening to exchange? Let me know if anyone needs a ticket, I'm sad I can't go but want to give the tickets to a good home rather than one of these reseller sites. Thanks!
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Post by distantcousin on Dec 6, 2016 19:18:27 GMT
I actually quite liked Remixed! I've just booked to see it at Theatr Clwyd (which is a lot nearer for me than London) and sales there look pretty healthy. Me too. Certainly in terms of musical direction, I thought it was superior.
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Post by tal on Dec 7, 2016 0:57:17 GMT
londontheatrefan I would like to buy one of your tickets if you haven't sold them yet. However, I can't seem to be able to message you (the website can't find your user). Could you send me a message?
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 7, 2016 1:32:14 GMT
Unfortunately the ears are next to the brain, for Rent they need to be next to the heart.
A few lyrics really do make me cringe, but otherwise I so love Rent, spoke to a theatre audience like no other show has.
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Post by danb on Dec 7, 2016 7:04:34 GMT
I've had a little look at the website and can't see any day seat info. Are there any? Would seem unusual for what is almost the progenitor of day seating to not offer them.
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Post by Mr Wallacio on Dec 7, 2016 8:35:47 GMT
I've had a little look at the website and can't see any day seat info. Are there any? Would seem unusual for what is almost the progenitor of day seating to not offer them. But then again if they can sell out without them......it is afterall a small venue
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Post by bengal73 on Dec 7, 2016 8:37:47 GMT
Unfortunately the ears are next to the brain, for Rent they need to be next to the heart. A few lyrics really do make me cringe, but otherwise I so love Rent, spoke to a theatre audience like no other show has. Following my previous comment I won tickets at the end of last week for the Brighton production and went along open to being converted. As a 40 something guy I still dont quite get the fuss but having seen it I have more of an idea why people are so affected by it. My daughter in her early 20s loved it and hasnt stopped talking about it since. Maybe if I had seen it at that age I would have appreciated it more.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 7, 2016 9:00:23 GMT
The entire London run is now sold out completely according to the website.
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Post by viserys on Dec 7, 2016 9:15:58 GMT
That makes me really happy.
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Post by schuttep on Dec 7, 2016 9:20:54 GMT
Following my previous comment I won tickets at the end of last week for the Brighton production and went along open to being converted. As a 40 something guy I still dont quite get the fuss but having seen it I have more of an idea why people are so affected by it. My daughter in her early 20s loved it and hasnt stopped talking about it since. Maybe if I had seen it at that age I would have appreciated it more. Possibly. But I maintain it's timeless. I saw the original Broadway cast when I was in my late 40s; I had read reviews but wasn't at all sure I'd like it. Half way into the first song, I knew I loved it. And all my friends (between 45 and 55), who've seen it since adore it and we're all seeing this incarnation, albeit at different theatres.
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Post by Honoured Guest on Dec 7, 2016 9:25:26 GMT
Sounds like the general attitude to the St James is finally turning, and folk are flocking!
I casually mentioned to someone last night that I haven't yet been to the St James, and they immediately flew into paeans of praise for the cheeseboards which are, apparently, customised to the personal taste of the cheese-eater.
Rent and cheese - a winning combination!
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Post by viserys on Dec 7, 2016 10:00:57 GMT
Apparently the cheeseboards are history though:
"The bar and restaurant areas of the theatre will be revitalised and reimagined by Shaun Clarkson ID, to create a space for theatre makers, audiences and local residents alike to meet, share ideas and enjoy the new food and beverage offering from the second branch of charcoal grill and natural wine bar The Naughty Piglets, which will open on the first floor of The Other Palace."
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Post by Phantom of London on Dec 7, 2016 19:16:48 GMT
No day seats that I've heard of. Is that for the cheeseboard?
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Post by danb on Dec 7, 2016 21:53:37 GMT
No day seats that I've heard of. Thanks Monkey. Turns out it wasn't a difficult question, nor one requiring snark, but some people can't help finding themselves important. Glad I have the tour booked further down the road.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2016 9:24:23 GMT
No day seats that I've heard of. Thanks Monkey. Turns out it wasn't a difficult question, nor one requiring snark, but some people can't help finding themselves important. Glad I have the tour booked further down the road. Indeed! And to back up the Monkey none I've heard of.
Which is, give Rent's history as yes the first Broadway show to offer rush/dayseats in line with wanting people to be able to access it seems a shame. I know that as a tour they're at the mercy of individual venues but I'd like to have seen the producers negotiate something (though admittedly a lot of the tour venues do have very affordable tickets)
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Post by stevejohnson678 on Dec 8, 2016 9:48:20 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Dec 8, 2016 11:28:53 GMT
I didn't think the cheeseboard line was snarky, just the usual wit we get around here LOL. Our "wit" is just woefully misunderstood Monkey... alas for us.
Argh I'm on such a Rent nostalgia kick lately, I fear for the floods of tears when I see it (Sorry viserys)
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