Rent Memories
Thanks to all who responded. These memories have been edited for length and clarity.
My son who is 16 years old and living with autism introduced me to Rent by asking me to see the movie.
I was concerned with the content of the story. John loved it. He bought every CD made and studied each character and fact of the Broadway play. It was a thrill for him when we finally landed tickets to see Rent on Broadway with the original actors playing Roger and Mark. For our family, seeing this on Broadway was so moving. The message is uplifting. Not only can this be applied to people who are living with AIDS, but I feel the message can be translated to autism as well.
I would never been enriched to all these Broadway shows if not for John. His love for Broadway is astounding. I myself, had never been to a play or had an interest in Broadway, but now I know so much and our favorite thing to do with John is to see a show. Rent is definitely one of his favorites. We thank all the cast members for touching our souls with their wonderful performances.
--Kathleen
Pennsylvania
In 2000, I was living in Montana, far from the rest of my family in Michigan. I had met my mother in NYC in February of that year, and seen Rent for the first time. Later that year I came to Michigan for a visit and was standing in line at a store with my 10-year-old niece.
Having been gone so long, we didn't really know each other as well as we should have. She was singing to herself. It took me a minute to realize she was singing “Over the Moon”! To tell the truth, I was a little concerned that a 10-year-old knew all the words to the play, but at the same time it was cool.
From that day on, Rent was 'our' play, and we see it every time it comes around. Not an hour goes by when we don't start singing something from the show, and we're definitely planning to get to NYC before June 1st!
--Janet
Michigan
I have seen Rent 4 times in a 4-year span....I hate [that] it is leaving Broadway, but you know Jonathan Larson is looking down, and is proud.
--Pam in Virginia
I've seen Rent 6 times... I cried when I found out it was closing; needless to say, I love Rent with all my heart.
What makes Rent different from most Broadway shows is that it doesn't dazzle you with flashy sets, costumes, and dancing; it touches you through its characters, through the moving music, and the story itself. Every time I've seen Rent, it's brought some of the greatest memories I have.
My friends and I wait after the show to meet the always amazing, talented cast, and they talk to us for long periods of time expressing their gratitude for us, and vice versa; we always ask what their favorite Rent song is to sing, and ask Mimi if she gets scared to do “Out Tonight.” And every answer is different!
I met Joey Fatone, who happened to be watching the same performance I watched; Melanie Brown, after I saw her as Mimi; and most excitingly, Anthony Rapp. Seeing Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal return as Mark and Roger... there are no words to describe it. They capture those characters more than I have ever seen, and every minute of that performance was savored. Although, I must say Matt Caplan does a FANTASTIC Mark too.
Broadway won't be the same without Rent.
--Mary B.
When Rent opened on Broadway my mother was dying of cancer and I had lost 13 friends in the preceding 18 months to AIDS-related illness. The last thing in the world I wanted to see was a show that mirrored real life that closely. When it opened later in Toronto, where I was residing, my mother had finally passed away and my friends convinced me that I was looking at Rent the wrong way. By the time it was over I had completely changed my perspective.
The show [is] not about loss, but about taking advantage of the time you do have. It is a positive outlook on a life that can rarely be seen as anything but negative, and it reminded me that although there was a great deal of loss, there were also so many things to live for. I embraced the "no day but today" attitude, and have spent the last decade having adventures and experiences that I might not have had, had I not seen that show at exactly that point in my life.
--Jo F.
Rent touched me in a way no musical has before or since. The original cast was one of the best ensembles I had the privilege to watch on Broadway (from what I could see through teary eyes). I became a Daphne Rubin-Vega fan from that moment. I follow all of the original cast to see where their talents have taken them.
Ten years later when I took my students on their first trip to New York and Broadway, Rent was a must for them. To see it ten years later, it had not lost its resonance with me, and it opened by students' eyes to contemporary American Musical theatre.
God Bless Rent!
--EDian
Kearney, MO
The first time I saw Rent, it was on the Tonys. I hadn't known anything about it. I fell in love with “La Vie Bohème” and bought the cast recording. Then I was on travel in NYC for work and a wonderful friend offered to stand in line all day to get the $20 tickets.
We sat 2nd row center and I saw every member of the original cast. I remember being totally taken in by the story, the music, the energy - all of it. I remember vividly not being able to breathe and sobbing when Roger sang to Mimi as she lay on the table.
I'm sorry Rent will not be there on Broadway, but thank goodness I got to see a piece of theatrical history being made.
--Susan
The first time I saw Rent was at the (former) Oakdale Theatre in Wallingford, Connecticut. My best friend took me for my birthday. All I remember is sobbing so hard that I left the show with a severe headache.
The next time I saw it was a year or two later, on Broadway, on St. Patrick's Day. Everyone told me you needed to see it in NY to truly "experience" the show. That day I realized exactly what they meant.
I've seen the show four times now. But nothing could prepare me for the last time I saw it, in September, when I had the honor and privilege of seeing Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal in their original roles. It was truly a euphoric experience.
Rent has touched so many lives and I am convinced it will continue to do so long after the curtain drops for the final time.
Amber-Lynn D.
Waterbury, CT
The first time I saw Rent I was blown away by the energy and emotion that consumed the performance. I was in my late teen years struggling to come out and it was from that day forward that the lyrics of Rent began to shape my life.
I am saddened to see the show close, but I know it will live on through the lives it has touched. Without Rent, I would not be the person I am today.
Paul T.
Mount Ephraim, New Jersey
I first saw Rent in 2000 as a 6-month dating anniversary surprise gift from my now husband, Ed. It was the first play that I felt was made for my generation. The music and the cast were amazing. Our favorite characters are Mimi and Angel. We bought the soundtrack and love playing it on long cars rides. We’ve gone back to see it 2 more times over the years. Each show was great but the first time was a magical night that I’ll never forget.
--Erin
I am 56 years old and Rent was my first Broadway show. It was about 9 years ago. We sat in the back, but wow did I love the show. We found out about rush tickets and we have sat in the front row for over 50 times now.
Rent has changed me at my core. I now see gays as just another group that makes up our life. A group that has members from all other groups I can think of, by color or nationality or religion. AIDS I see for what it is: a horrible, nasty disease that ravages men, women, and children. I have become a vocal advocate for AIDS research.
Rent has done this to me and I believe myself to be a better person for it. How sad that I never saw a show till my late 40s. But I am making up for it. We have taken our kids to more Broadway shows than more adults have seen. We believe their lives are all the richer for it.
--Carl
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