Many years after the original production of “Rent” appeared on Broadway, the musical was finally brought back to the stage. On Sunday, Jan. 26 on Fox TV. The original concept by Billy Aronson in 1996 was based on Puccini’s opera “La Bohème,” which he turned into the story that we know today. In 2005, it was turned into a film that is now celebrating 20 years of being the 11th longest-running production on Broadway.
The show follows a group of friends who are trying to make ends meet, some suffering from HIV or AIDS. The timing of this show when it was first released in the ‘90s was significant because that’s when this epidemic was at its peak and everyone was talking about it, which made it even more relevant at the time. In today’s climate, “Rent” could have made a huge impact on homophobia, relationships, society, poverty and even leaving a positive message of having hope when there is no hope.
But unfortunately the start of the cast’s live performance was already off to a bad break — pun intended — what was supposed to be live turned out to be pre-taped rehearsal footage because in the show’s final dress rehearsal, actor Brennin Hunt, who is one of the show’s main characters, Roger, broke his ankle and the production had no understudies. But as you may know, the show must go on.
This was a highly anticipated show, but it did not live up to the standards for many viewers. Ratings hit a record low for a musical broadcast.
“525,600 minutes, 525,000 moments so dear”- how do you measure a show that wasn’t clear?
It seemed as though because it was pre-taped and some scenes were live that the show was all over the place. The audience at home could see things that we should not have been able to see, and on top of that there were just too many commercials, causing the show to be three long dreadful hours. Even though it features some great talents, such as Vanessa Hudgens, Tinashe, Mario and even Kiersey Clemons, they too could not overcome the obstacles that they were presented with that forced them to make do with what they had.
Because the first show was not what the cast expected, everyone deserves a second chance at redemption. The same cast is Coming to the Philadelphia area from March 5-10 at the Kimmel Center’s Merriam Theater. Let’s hope the cast can show the audiences what they really have to offer, even if that means having Brennin Hunt in a wheelchair on stage.
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