(Just Came to Say) Goodbye Love

Topic: Broadway, Theater

Subject: Rent

Yesterday it was announced that Rent has set a date for its final performance, June 1st, 2008. Jonathan Larson's milestone musical, has been entertaining Broadway audiences for more than 12 years at the Nederlander Theater. Upon closing it will become the seventh longest running show in Broadway history. A fan needs to discuss this with a level head, I will be that fan. But first a brief history ...

Adapted from Puccini's opera, La Boheme, Rent tells the story of a group of young artists, struggling to live in New York's East Village in the late 1980's/ early 90's. There, they grapple with AIDS, heath care, homelessness and poverty.

After a opening to critical acclaim, Rent went on to wina slew of awards, including the Tony award for Best Musical, as well as becoming one of seven musicals to win a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Tragically, Larson never lived to see Rent's success, passing of an aneurysm after the final dress rehearsal at an off-Braodway theater workshop. 

Rent also introduced the world to an outstanding cast, including, Taye Diggs, Wilson Jermaine Heredia (winning the show's only Tony for acting as Angel), Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Daphne Rubin-Vega.

Rent needed to close. I have been with Rent for over 10 years now, and have seen the show twice (first in 2002 with Joey Fatone, second this past summer with Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp reprising the roles they originated). Part of my reasoning for seeing Rent the second time, was the allure of Pascal and Rapp, and I thought I may as well see it again before it closed because I knew the end was near. 

My second viewing sealed the end for me. There was an obvious lack of energy throughout the entire show (the only exception being Tamyra Gray's performance as Mimi). La Vie Boheme has never seemed so worn out. Pascal and Rapp appeared exhausted, uninterested and were forgetting lines. Now, they are about 12 years older, and playing the same 20-something characters, something was left to be desired. C'mon guys (especially you Mr. Rapp!) we all want to see you in new and exciting projects, spread your wings a little. 

Also, I think there is a stigmatism that comes with the role of Maureen. I don't think anyone has captured Maureen the way Idina Menzel did (maybe Sherie Renee Scott), and I believe a lot of us still want to picture Idina in the role. Wether we saw her in the original cast or not, thanks to the soundtrack her voice rings through our ears during Over the Moon, and the movie doesn't help our case either.

I will always care for Rent, and it will forever remain close to my heart. However, along with caring for it so, I need to realize what is best for the show. Rent needs (and deserves) time to rest and recover. Someday Rent will return, re-imagined and rejuvenated (hopefully not similar to the recent London "remix"). I look forward to this day, but right now I'm looking to move on. However, I will never forget what soundtrack to grab when I'm getting ready to go "Out Tonight."

Good bye love. Good bye.

-M