Here is sort of a background about my experience with this show
Ok. I grew up in a musical family. My parents were very concerned about making sure I was cultured. My love for musicals began at an early age. However, my interest in Broadway and making it pretty much a part of my daily life began with RENT.
Now, if you are kinda clueless about this show... you should probably go review a plot summary on the web. It would behoove you. While you are at it, learn the background of Jonathan Larson. Your life will be touched. Even better... go download the cast recording!
I love this show. I do. A lot of people believe it is overrated and in someways, yes it is. Let me clarify by saying I do not think this show is the best show ever written. It's not. Did it change Broadway? In some ways. Is this the only show I like? Absolutely not. Is this even my favorite show? It's one of them, but not my absolute favorite. The background of this story is so beautiful. The writer, Jonathan Larson was a starving artist. He wrote RENT and saw it come to life while it was at the New York Theatre Workshop. Then, the show finally made it's way to the Great White Way! The night before it opened, Jonathan died unexpectedly from a heart condition. Knowing the background to me, makes this story come alive. This show is so raw. It's gritty and in some ways considered inappropriate. It contains bare behinds, lots of language, sexual scenes and references, gays, lesbians, and drag queens. I wouldn't take a child to see this. But among that, there so many beautiful messages. Time and time again you hear "No Day but Today" then "Measure your life in love." You see all of these relationships develop and you realize, hey this really does happen. People have HIV and AIDS, people are gay, people are starving artists. But this show manages to take all of that and turn it into this beautiful piece of art that celebrates a year in the life of friends.
Now... on to the shows!
Thursday, January 29, 2009.
Sara Ashley, Brett, Mikey, and myself went to see RENT together. We had a great time! It was so exciting! We left Sara Ashley's house and went to eat! Then off we went to Ovens to the show! We bought our merchandise, went potty, and sat down to wait for the show to start. I really thought I was going to jump out of my skin. Why you ask? After all, I had already seen this show. Well that would be because Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal were back in the roles of Roger and Mark! They were the original cast members when the show opened on Broadway. Seeing them in these roles was such an awesome experience. It is like one of those things that you hear people talk about...
Exhibit A:
Person: "Well I saw the original cast when it was on Broadway."
What I want to respond with: "Well howdy doody. I was six when this show came to Broadway so frequent trips to New York City were not my priority."
Anyways...This was amazing to see. They were so comfortable in their roles and were PERFECT. After doing this show since 1994 when it was in the workshop stage, you think they would be sick of it. There are no words to describe seeing them perform these roles they are most famous for right in front of my eyes.
The entire cast, except for three people, had been with the show in some way shape or form before touring. These people are the creme of the crop. This cast was so strong. Some were in the final cast. They were phenomenal! Gwen Stewart was the Seasons of Love soloist and that girl can just flat out sing! She was in the original cast as well! Justin Johnson played Angel and Michael McElory was Collins. They were both in the final cast and had a great chemistry. They were precious when they sang "I'll Cover You." Nicolette Hart was Maureen and she was a hoot. SA and myself saw her when we both saw Legally Blonde in New York. Nicolette's "Over the Moon" was fabulous. Haneefah Wood was JoAnne and "Take Me or Leave Me" with her and Nicolette was beautiful. They had great voices that blended so well. Miss Lexie Lawson was Mimi. She was new to RENT and played the role of Mimi. She was the best one I had seen at this point. She had especially great acting!
This show was so strong and beautiful. There were not any weak cast members or any weak songs or scenes. Since I couldn't see the original cast, this is pretty close to it and they were superb!
Then we stage doored! Everyone came out and was incredibly friendly! Everyone was willing to sign stuff and take pictures except for Anthony and Adam. However, while Adam told me he could not pose for a picture with me, he called me sweetie in the process! :)
Then we went home and made a fifteen minute video blog which will be up soon!
February 1, 2009
Then I decided that Stephanie should not be left out of the mix of RENT so we bought tickets to go see it on SUNDAY! Who needed the Super Bowl when RENT was in town? Not us! We went to Ovens and picked up our tickets then went through Sketchville, yes it was pretty sketch to find food. We did not leave the car, no ladies and gentlemen we stayed in our vehicle and got our food to go. We felt much safer doing this. Then we went back and ate our yummy cheeseburgers and went to the show!
The show was basically the same thing the second time around as this one except for one change. Mimi was not played by Lexie Lawson, she was played by.... KARMINE ALERS! Now, I know most of you reading do not have a clue who she is, but I was elated! Some consider her to be the best Mimi of all time and she played the role while she was on Broadway. She was spot on. She has amazing vocals! Out Tonight was outstanding and Without You was heartbreaking. I'm glad I got to go again and I'm super glad Steppy liked it!!
This show is great! I'm going to start signing my blogs 'forget regret' because it's from this show and it's so true. "Forget Regret or Life is Yours to Miss." Don't stay stuck in the past, move on and celebrate remember a year in the life of friends while you measure your life in love!
forget regret
-k
1 comment:
Can't wait for the video blog! :)
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