Let's just say I'm curious to see what somebody who is clueless about Rent thought about this movie. I'm honestly not sure if the things I hated are because I love the show, and if the things I loved are because I love the show. Overall, it left me with the same "wow, that was something special" feeling, but at the same time...I dunno...grasping for more? First, the bad news...
The beginning. What's up w/ that??? And I'm not talking about leading w/ Seasons of Love, that was fine. The very beginning is where the characters get introduced, and I got the sense that people who weren't familiar with the show or the story would be a little clueless. I've seen the show twice, and even I was a little bit "um..what's happening?" The fact that almost NOTHING happens before Rent was just a little weird. And everything within the song that gives any further indication as to what on earth is going on was cut as well. The thoughts in my head were honestly "Good Lord, what have they done???"
The songs were absolutely fantastic (except What You Own), but I felt like the space between the songs was just bland filler. On stage you don't get that feeling. Maybe because stuff that was originally sung was spoken? Maybe because they faded out after every song like it was the end of a music video? I'm not sure exactly why.
Something was just...*missing*. I think it was the audience and the charge in the air of a live show. Rent is different from a more traditional show like Phantom. It's not just a "sit back and watch" kind of thing. You are engaged. It's almost interactive. Some people in my theater clapped a little after Today For You, Tomorrow For Me, (and Over the Moon, and La Vie Boheme, etc etc...)and I felt compelled to as well but it was a movie theater and it felt a little odd. It also felt like there should be mooing. The closing shot on Angel...close but no cigar. I was actually looking forward to him coming out to sing with them and experiencing that moment of joy, but it didn't come. I'm not saying it should be a Rocky Horror kind of thing, but in the theater you are just so right there with them! Particularly during Seasons of Love--they did a good job here for what it was, but when they're up on that stage, lined up across the front, and making eye contact with the audience--that's just powerful!!
Having said all that, I can begin my rave. I loved it and will definitely see it again and buy it when it comes out on DVD. I never saw Daphne Rubin-Vega on stage, but her voice on the OBC drives me up the wall, so Rosario Dawson was a welcome addition, and she NAILED Out Tonight. I always hated that song before because it sounded like nails on a blackboard to me, and now it might be one of my faves. Tracy Thoms was a great Joanne, and her frustration and love really come through. Tango Maureen? Good God that was fantastic! At first I thought it was kind of blasphemous that we saw Maureen before Over The Moon, but it really and truly worked. The highlight was absolutely, hands down, I'll Cover You (Reprise). Collins completely broke my heart. I cry pretty easily in movies, you know the old tear down the cheek...I was actually SOBBING, struggling to control myself! Far more than the stage show, too. And Take Me For What I Am? The commitment ceremony thing was weird, I never got the sense they were heading that direction, but it was a great setting for a great song. Contact wasn't missed. Well, seeing all the bodies writhing under a white sheet would have been kinda cool, but for me the song was always about leading into Angel's death, which was handled VERY nicely in Without You.
The story is the same captivating tale of love, and is just as timely today as it has always been. The words and music couldn't help but convey that message. That is what makes Rent Rent. Thank you, Jonathan Larson, indeed.
The beginning. What's up w/ that??? And I'm not talking about leading w/ Seasons of Love, that was fine. The very beginning is where the characters get introduced, and I got the sense that people who weren't familiar with the show or the story would be a little clueless. I've seen the show twice, and even I was a little bit "um..what's happening?" The fact that almost NOTHING happens before Rent was just a little weird. And everything within the song that gives any further indication as to what on earth is going on was cut as well. The thoughts in my head were honestly "Good Lord, what have they done???"
The songs were absolutely fantastic (except What You Own), but I felt like the space between the songs was just bland filler. On stage you don't get that feeling. Maybe because stuff that was originally sung was spoken? Maybe because they faded out after every song like it was the end of a music video? I'm not sure exactly why.
Something was just...*missing*. I think it was the audience and the charge in the air of a live show. Rent is different from a more traditional show like Phantom. It's not just a "sit back and watch" kind of thing. You are engaged. It's almost interactive. Some people in my theater clapped a little after Today For You, Tomorrow For Me, (and Over the Moon, and La Vie Boheme, etc etc...)and I felt compelled to as well but it was a movie theater and it felt a little odd. It also felt like there should be mooing. The closing shot on Angel...close but no cigar. I was actually looking forward to him coming out to sing with them and experiencing that moment of joy, but it didn't come. I'm not saying it should be a Rocky Horror kind of thing, but in the theater you are just so right there with them! Particularly during Seasons of Love--they did a good job here for what it was, but when they're up on that stage, lined up across the front, and making eye contact with the audience--that's just powerful!!
Having said all that, I can begin my rave. I loved it and will definitely see it again and buy it when it comes out on DVD. I never saw Daphne Rubin-Vega on stage, but her voice on the OBC drives me up the wall, so Rosario Dawson was a welcome addition, and she NAILED Out Tonight. I always hated that song before because it sounded like nails on a blackboard to me, and now it might be one of my faves. Tracy Thoms was a great Joanne, and her frustration and love really come through. Tango Maureen? Good God that was fantastic! At first I thought it was kind of blasphemous that we saw Maureen before Over The Moon, but it really and truly worked. The highlight was absolutely, hands down, I'll Cover You (Reprise). Collins completely broke my heart. I cry pretty easily in movies, you know the old tear down the cheek...I was actually SOBBING, struggling to control myself! Far more than the stage show, too. And Take Me For What I Am? The commitment ceremony thing was weird, I never got the sense they were heading that direction, but it was a great setting for a great song. Contact wasn't missed. Well, seeing all the bodies writhing under a white sheet would have been kinda cool, but for me the song was always about leading into Angel's death, which was handled VERY nicely in Without You.
The story is the same captivating tale of love, and is just as timely today as it has always been. The words and music couldn't help but convey that message. That is what makes Rent Rent. Thank you, Jonathan Larson, indeed.