CMU School of Drama


Monday, September 08, 2008

'Rent' Drops Curtain on Broadway Run

Backstage: "They cheered, they cried and gave the show a standing ovation even before the first note was sung.
Broadway said goodbye Sunday to 'Rent,' 12 years and 5,124 performances after it first became a rock musical with a message for theatergoers of all ages."

10 comments:

NorthSide said...

It's odd to see Rent closing because it's such a commercial success for Broadway. I mean, even people who usually don't like theatre are singing these songs, especially after the movies release. In some sense I'm surprised its closing so soon after the movie release because that had to have brought in more audience members. I'm not really update to date on Rent news, but I'm just curious on why they chose to close theirs doors.

Anonymous said...

hearing that this show is closing after 12 years make me feel old. i feel like it just opened a couple of years ago. it is impressive to see how well this production did during its time on Broadway, and it'll be interesting to see how soon a touring version of it pops up. it does seems a little too fresh in society's mind for it to completely die out now.

MBerger said...

This is definitely a bittersweet moment for those of us in the industry. While it is sad to see RENT end its Broadway run, it opens up a great opportunity to those of us in the educational and regional world to perform this incredible piece of musical theatre. I can only hope that it to makes its way to our stage.

Serrano said...

Even though its closing, another national tour is in the works with a decent number of the originals. I bet it continues to run for 3 more years if not 4 or 5.

Katherine! said...

It is so sad to know that RENT will no longer be on Broadway. It ran so long and made usch an impact on a generation. It is great that another tour is starting so RENT will live on. Best of luck to all those now without a job because of the closing.

Anonymous said...

It is certainly the end of an era. However, for anyone who loved RENT and would like a really personal and in-depth insight into the early days of the show and the shows writer, the late Jonathan Larson, I suggest seeing Anthony Rapp's "Without You" at the City Theatre.

Anonymous said...

I never really realized how old the play Rent was. I guess I was thrown off by the fact that I only started being exposed to the music in it about five years ago when my mom and sister bought the CD. I always thought of it as a much younger play.

Dave said...

It is surprising to see RENT closing as (at least I thought) was still selling full houses. RENT was a great show for all to see. I would be surprised if a revival does not appear in some time.

Anonymous said...

While reading this article the comment was made "wow rent is 12 years old, I feel old" and indeed I do feel old. It is sad that this Broadway staple is finally closing. Though as they said in the end of the article rent will certainly live on, between the movie, and the filmed performances. As well as in the memories of all those rent heads who immersed themselves in its popularity.

Anonymous said...

This was an interesting story to me. Until i saw this story i knew very little about the show with the exception that I didn't like most of it and loved parts of it. Nor did I have any idea that it had been running for 12 yrs, a fact that makes me feel so much older. This is one show that Broadway will miss, but won't lose. It's coming to Pittsburgh this year, and so still touring. It's entered the world of stage to film so is seeing an even bigger audience, and you can still go to target to buy a RENT lunchbox. Whoot.