Celebrate, remember a year in the life of friends......
Community:
1. a) the people living (or lining!) in one locality. b) the locality in which they live (or line!). c)
community spirit.
2. a group of people having cultural, religious or other characteristics in common.
3. the public; society.
4. similarity or agreement: community of interests.
When RENT descended on London, so did a community of loyal followers of the show. These included Americans and
Canadians who were interested to see how the production had travelled, people from all around the world who frequented
the theatre on their numerous trips there and of course, the resident Brits who could be found on a bizarrely ordinary
pavement in the West End of London. This is their story.....
"To me I think the best way to describe how I feel is to quote 'what you own' with the words..'connection in an isolating age, for once the shadows gave way to light, for once I didn't disengage..' so what I really want to write is how when I moved to London I was lonely and rather lost and one weekend Matt and I randomly went to RENT and in it I found something that could cheer me up and calm me down. Now its finishing I'm not sure how I feel because I've always managed to step back from it more than others - this is probably due to the fact that I lost something of what RENT really meant to me when Adrian left. Not because of his departure but more because of the callous and unfeeling way that they sacked him. And so now I'm going to miss my friends most and I'm going to miss the chances I might have had to continue meeting new and interesting people that RENT seems to attract, both cast and audiences alike. RENT has enabled me to meet people who I can open up to and be myself with, people who deal with me when I'm stressed and know how to cheer me up. For this I will always be grateful to all involved."
"I saw the show first time on 27th may 1998. I must say that I wasn't convinced at all,
because the CD didn't impress me and I thought 'what the hell is this???' but when I sat down and the show started
it was like a cold shower. After the first act I just wanted to scream! I could feel the power and the energy and
the love… Then I kept having flashbacks of the show everywhere, walking on the streets, In the underground, while
working... I saw it again in August and then I had a chance to meet Anthony Rapp. His way to communicate with people
outside the theatre was so amazing! I must thank Anthony if I decided to go back to London again…and I should thank
him for the 'ideal hand' he gave me. Some of the words he told me that day and later, for his last show made me
feel good for the first time in ages... I went there for his last show, on 7th October 1998…I queued for the first
time and the atmosphere was just unbelievable!! I didn't realize that I was turning into a Renthead.. It was like
being at home. I felt so welcome by people I've never met before, and happy to talk with them about Rent and a
lot of other things!! That night Richard was on as Angel… Oh my God… He was so good!! I saw Wilson before him and
I really didn't know what to expect.. But he was so good!! After the show I went to stage door and had a chance
to speak with him.. He was amazingly enthusiastic and kept hugging me and everyone and said 'Oh!! I love this show,
it's great!' and I remember that I looked at him like ' well.. You work in it!!!' but it was great to see how he
was into this 'Spirit of Rent', he is such a joyous person and loves so much his job!! Then I started to go to
the London board… In December I went back… Adrian Lewis Morgan had been 'fired' and Joe was on as Mark… I finally
met one of the 'names' of the board: Selina. It was the beginning of a friendship.
On Boxing Day I went to stage door to meet Richard and he was again so nice to me!! He was on as Angel that night
and it was oh, so good!! On 30th Dec, I saw the show with Selina and other people and we ended up with frozen butts,
but it was great!! And we had a major laugh! I had a chance to meet other cast members, briefly, but it was nice..
Peter was given the role of Roger permanently and he deserved it so much!! He is such a talented actor and he improved
on the part night after night... The same night I realized I wouldn't be able to speak to Joe. Language barriers..
He asked me something and I just went 'huh?????' he repeated the sentence and I looked even more dumb…then I had
Selina translate in 'good' English what he said with his Scottish accent and it was something related to how his
Scottish accent is easier to understand … ehm ehm!!! I think I collected enough embarrassing moments with Mr. McFadden
that weekend!! I had a chance to speak with Bonny Lockhart too, previous Benny before Des Coleman's recent arrival.
He is 'the gentleman' and a cool guy too!! I miss him!!!!! This time I left London feeling very miserable… I will
thank the technology and Internet forever for giving me the chance to keep in touch with everyone in London and
hear all the antics of my beloved cast… a great cast…I went back to London March/April for ten days… in which I
had a chance to increase the number of times I saw the show.. I think I went to see it something like 6 times..
Just couldn't help it!! I felt the urge to pass by the theatre (it's my 'hello-theatre' routine…) and see the show..
Agh.. It will be hard to walk past the Shaftesbury and there won't be those familiar faces.. All the posters.,
the big Rent sign.. Augh!!! Anyway, back in march I had the chance to meet other regulars, Luciana, Ade, Claire,
Erin and other friends from other parts of the world, like Bea from Germany and Petra from Atlanta. The line was
always major fun. Especially one day when no one was meant to see the show and at the end we all met in the queue!!
Special guest of the day was Adrian Lewis Morgan. I think I have stared at him all the time he sat there… of course
I didn't say a word… Peter had his beautiful hair cut and with highlights… no nosering, no tongue piercing.. But
I think he had an extra earring!! He looks cool anyway.. Krysten was back at that time and wow… I will always remember
her as the best Mimi ever.. Because she doesn't play Mimi. She IS Mimi. And her routine on the bars is something
that leaves you breathless.!!! Funny moment at the stage door, when Selina was wondering if Peter remembered who
I was and he just said 'oh yeah!! She was sitting on the pavement with you all the time..!' Funny moment (not for
him!!) during the show, when Joe was hit by the banana bunch… dangerous job.. He then told us that he felt dizzy
for a while.. Funniest sight onstage: Richard as Mr. Grey. Nuttiest performance: Hannah-Jane Fox as Maureen. We
were all in hysterics!! Another funny moment onstage: during la Vie Boheme Joe says: and Roger will attempt to
write a bittersweet, evocative song…' and Peter guitar wasn't plugged in!!! You should have seen the faces!! Joe
had improved so much!! He plays Mark in this way.. It's between funny and sad.. Like he would pretend to hide his
feelings behind a smile.. I loved it. As well as his faces during Tango Maureen and La Vie Boheme. His 'I'm a naughty
boy' looks are unbeatable!!
Best moment at stage door: I said goodbye to Bonny because I knew he was leaving soon. So we hugged and took pics
together. Then he just came back and said 'I can't leave without saying goodbye properly!!' and he hugged me again!
He was so sweet and nice!! I left London again feeling happy because I saw Selina again, and met other new friends.
The cast… they were amazing… and it was hard to go back and not being able to see the show for some time… So I
decided to go back in May!! They were goodbye days.. Krysten was leaving for NY and Bonny was leaving too.. I missed
Krysten's last because of flights delays but I was able to meet her at stage door. She is an amazing person.. She's
so tiny but she has such a great energy… she hugged us all and wow.. I wanted to cry…Hairstyles.. Joe with this
new ginger hair color… uhmm… I don't know how it came out but he looked good.. Well.. The guy looks good with almost
everything..!! Jacqui now has this curly hair and she looks even better!! Gosh.. The voice of that woman!!! 22nd
May.. Bonny's last. Everyone was so emotional during the show.. And they were at the top… Rachel hit the high note
during Seasons of Love and the house came own…everyone just started screaming and there was an ovation!! Loraine
as Mimi is good. She is very sweet.. I was able to hold back the tears until 'I'll cover you - reprise'.. Some
of the cast members had eyes full of tears and they were playing so beautifully…Joe sang Halloween in the best
way ever.. At 'Finale B' almost everyone onstage and in the audience was crying.. At the end, when Bonny came out
they threw him red roses and he just stood there with all the flowers in his arms.. And there was this long standing
ovation…It's hard to say goodbye..August 99..My last and most recent visit.. I met my usual friends and some more.
It was all so great. Meeting Todd after months of emails and see that yes, he is actually crazy… but oh, he does
such a good bars routine!! Have all my friends listen to my tape.. Eating chocolate cake while queuing. Lua and
her yellow jacket. A trade mark. Sel, my friend. Matu from New Zealand. Eat at McDonalds with Lua and Todd and
meeting Peter, go at the newsagent and meet Peter.. well.. but we were not stalking!!! Feeling so bad the last
night…Cried quietly. I don't want to go home. Hugging Sel. I want to stay here. It's amazing how many friends I've
got and how many people I've met through Rent. This is the power of this show. And this is why it can't be considered
a 'normal show'… I saw the show a couple of times and again I had to witness Peter's improvements and how Loraine
was finally into the part… Joe is always so good and the rest of the cast is brilliant…I will miss them.. I will
miss them all so much.. Mykal's 'evening officer!' and his funny face. Andy Mace's gay waiter.. Richard as Gordon
and Richard in Leon's part with that funny red beret on and oh.. That outrageous outfit!!! Claire as Alexi. Wayne
as the waiter.. And Wayne's sweet voice ever in 'Will I?' Joe's acting funny during la Vie Boheme and touching
everyone… Leon as Benny… So good… So charming… Jacqui's 'spoooooky' bit during Tango Maureen… Who else? All of
them.. The show was all of them.. They gave me tears and they gave me joy.. I will miss doing the line and going
to stage door.. I will miss my announcements to the family 'I go to London tomorrow'. I will miss sitting on pavements..
But I will be there to say goodbye to all that and I feel so lucky.. It will be something that I'll remember forever..
When everything will be over I wont' forget what Jonathan Larson taught me through his work and everyone... To
spread the love. And live every single moment of our lives without regrets. I can say now that probably I wouldn't
have been here and not as I am now if it wasn't for all this. I still have so much to learn but I know I am stronger
now. I hope to keep all the friends I made in this year and a half and I hope to find more, because the message
of Rent is well alive in my heart…
Measure your life in love,
Cristina"
3. Bea Wick
(bea on right)
"Well, where to start? Somehow it changed my life. I met so many new friends from all over
the world and in a way we are all like a big family now. We shared good and bad times and this will go on, even
when Rent is gone.
The most important thing to me is that it changed my attitude, I see things differently now and I would need a
million pages to explain it and wouldn´t have said enough. The libretto says it all ! And whenever I feel
bad, it helps me out.
Last but not least Rent is to blame that I am doing a website for Joe and I would have never expected it in my
dreams that it is such a success and so much fun to do. And it made me think about my own job situation and frustration
and what really counts in life. So thanks to Joe and to Rent, I will definitely miss sitting in the Shaftesbury
and having a good time.
Lots of Love
Bea :o)
xxx"
"I just want to say my little bit about Saturday night. Lots of the people who were there
on Saturday night know that I stopped going to the show as much over the last six months and I did not up my attendance
when it posted closing notices. See, I thought I was fine about the show closing and had been expecting it to announce
it was closing since early July. So when it was announced that Rent would close on October 30th I was like "yeah,
whatever."
How wrong can you be? But right up until Joe walked on stage, I thought I was going to be fine. And I was very
much not fine. Rent has left an indelible mark on my life, it has given me back a lot of stuff I thought I would
never regain and it has enriched my life far above and beyond what I ever thought it could. I have had so many
fun times with the show, with the casts, and with the other fans of the show, made tonnes of friends from it, had
a lot of laughs with it, and shed more than a few tears. I know I can be flaky at keeping in touch with people
and I can be rubbish as a friend sometimes, but now that I can't just drop by the line every Saturday on my lunch
hour and catch up with seeing people, I just have to try harder.
Anyway, I'm kind of digressing. When Joe walked on stage and the theatre erupted, it just hammered the point home
that I had managed to studiously avoid: I will never see this show again. And before any of you say Broadway, no.
I have never had any desire to see Rent outside of London (save for when Miss Thing was in NY) and after Saturday,
I never will. It was a very difficult show for me, as it was for everyone, and I was crying for many many reasons,
not least that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone. Well, it's gone and I am just so very grateful that
I was a part of it. And I just want to say to all the friends I have made from this show (and you know who you
are): I love you all. Okay, I have waffled on for long enough now and as this was something of an unplanned outpouring
(like you couldn't tell), I am going to stop now.
C. "
"Although not a member of the 'Renthead' brigade here's what I think of Rent. I lost my
partner in a car accident in June which has meant that life has not been good for me since then. Having had
a day off back in September I decided to go and see Rent (Wednesday matinee). Those few hours were great
- the show was amazing thanks to the cast who were incredible, especially the ensemble who (the majority of which)
have been in it since the start but still showed such enthusiasm. I pass the Theatre most Saturday afternoons as
I work in High Holborn (just Saturdays) and I can't help smiling. I discovered the message board a couple
of weeks ago and am amazed at such loyalty, dedication and obvious love people have for this show.
I would like to wish the cast all the best in their acting / singing careers and hope that all 'Rentheads' hopes
and beliefs for the future come true. That's it - not too maudling I hope!
Best wishes, Cate"
"hhm.. what to say, well this is a bit difficult for me coz im not that good with words,
and i always end up rambling but here goes..
During my short stay in london, Rent had become an important staple to the trip. After a hard week of studies,
Rent would be a welcome break from the tedious school routine. I always enjoyed meeting the people in line. Everyone
seemed so diverse in character, that i knew under different circumstances, we would not get talking, but since
we had no apparent common interest, we connected and celebrated our love for the musical. Some of the fondest
memories my friend, April (whom i introduced to the show and is now a renthead. :)), and I have of London
are sitting in the queue and seeing the show. Meeting all the nice people as well as the wonderful cast (particularly
bonny, richard, joe and peter..) made us love and look forward to seeing the show even more. The show, the message,
the cast, the people i have met have really touched my life. Although the show in london is closing and cast
is moving on .. it will forever be a part of my life because of all that has developed from it, particularly the
friendships. Although most of the people i have met are merely acquaintances.. talking to them, even if it was
for a brief period, meant a lot to me and made my Rent experience less ackward, especially when i was by myself.
I just felt more at home and comfortable. I guess I didnt really realize how rent affected or had a part in my
life until recently. When i heard the news of the show's close, i felt - well for lack of a better word - devastated.
I didnt think the news would hit me that hard, but when it was confirmed, i admit, i got teary. What they say really
is true, you dont fully appreciate something until it's gone. Well I just want to wish all the cast much luck in
the future.. may they be happy, successful and live satisfying and prosperous lives. I hope the cast, as
well as everyone else who has been deeply touched by the show will keep the message of rent alive. Even though
i am thousands of miles away from London and Rent, i will cherish the show, the friends i've made, and all the
wonderful memories always...
Much love to all, Liezl "
"Let's see...where to start....
I guess it'll have to be the beginning, for there's no better place. When I first found out that RENT was opening
in London, I was thrilled. I had a feeling that I would never get to see it over there, but there was also
a feeling of, "Well, if I make an effort, anything's possible." So, that summer, I said to a friend
(more jokingly than not) "Let's go to London." She said okay. So we did. :)
That fall, i spent a whole lot of time hunting down good bargins at travel agents, and eventually found a good
one, and we were booked. A december trip - right after Christmas and into the New Year! It was amazing.
The night
after we landed, we decided to hunt down the Shaftsbury Theater. We eventually found it, and noticed that
the queue was not yet full, even though it was only an hour until the tickets were sold. So, we got on line,
and bought tickets, even though we were both still exhaustsed from our trip. It was definately worth it.
We saw the show 2 other times that week...New Year's Eve (when we met Andy and Ollie and Keri...who we just fell
in love with and still keep in touch with to this day), and New Year's Day (when we me SEL....who I adore, and
also keep in touch with). Three times was in no way enough. The cast that we saw was all about RENT.
They were so into it, and so believable as their characters, and so kind at the stage door. I've never seen
a cast that was so willing to hang around after the show just to talk to fans and sign autographs when they obviously
have other things to do and other places to be. When I think back to my Rent in London experience, I think of the
love that the cast has for the show, the love that the fans have for the show, and the wonderful friendships that
I made while I was over there. Love, and friendship - that's what it's all about. These are the things
that will be remembered when the show is long gone. I'm glad I got to experience it, and be a part of it. "
"I am so pleased that I have been able to experience RENT. It is now part of my life nothing
will ever change the impact that it has had on me. I saw it for the first time as a spur of the moment thing and
watching all the people in front of me laughing, crying, enjoying the show and wanting to let in the passion of
the show. I knew that it was something special.
The cast gives so much to the audience through RENT and I wish I could equal that in giving something back but
the truth is I can’t. I can only thank them but I really don’t think I will ever be able to express my thanks properly
not in words.
This cast was magic. Peter the most wonderful and passionate Roger, Krysten (as everyone knows) was a fantabulous
Mimi, Joe Mr Quirky and cute himself, this wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Loraine from me (SHE ROCKS!),
Richard the cutest Angel ever....the list goes on. They all ROCK THE WORLD!!
RENT has been one of the greatest things I have seen in my life. Not only has it opened me up, but also it has
given me the opportunity to meet some of the kindest, good hearted and honest people I have ever had the pleasure
to meet.
What I really want to say is a huge THANK YOU to everyone who made RENT London possible (even if you did take it
away from us) especially the cast, who could never be replaced by another. Not forgetting “you lot” - you know
who you are – all of you who post on the London board and have added to everything that makes RENT London so close
to my heart. Thank You.
Lots of Love Paula
xxxxxxxxxxxxx "
"So, it's been almost exactly a year since I first saw RENT. When I came out of the theatre
that day, I knew I would see it time after time. It was the most incredible thing I had ever seen, and it made
me think so much about things I would never have even considered. Not to do with the issues in RENT necessarily,
but just about life and everything.
Over the last year, RENT has been a place where I would go, or want to be, when I felt like crap. Not just because
of the incredible music, story and energy of the show, but also because of the brilliant and friendly cast, and
the amazing people I've met while seeing it.
I think one of the most distinct and special things about RENT is the queue. This is where most RENTheads meet
and form close friendships. Through meeting all these different people, I have learnt so much. Everyone is warm
and caring, and tries to get along with everyone they meet. We get weird looks and comments from passers-by, but
sitting on the street can sometimes be where I feel the most warmth.
Although many things about the past year have been bad, and some of which I don't want to have happened, I wouldn't
change it. I've become more distanced from some people and things, because of RENT I don't really know, but I realise
now that this would've happened whatever way my life had turned out. It's just a part of moving on, and I have
grown up more in the last year than I ever thought was possible. But I don't want to delude myself. RENT is a musical,
and I can't use it as a complete life philosophy, even though many of the lessons are very much worth learning,
and I have adopted them into my life. I do realise that the end of October will be the end of sitting on the pavement
on a freezing Decemeber morning, mooing and screaming until my voice hurts more than if I'd just sung the whole
show, and leaving the stage door after the show feeling special that these incredible people have stopped to talk
to me after they've just performed this fabulous show. But I also know that RENT will carry on. I know that I'll
keep in contact with many of the people I have met, and that I'll continue to see those great performers wherever
I can. Thankyou Jonathan Larson, for creating this amazing piece of theatre,
Thankyou London Cast, who have made it all real for me,
And thankyou RENTheads, which are now as much part of RENT as any performer, staff member, or even Jonathan himself...
Polly"
"Rent has made me think about life and the kind of things in life that
you should value and prioritse. iT has definately given me understanding
and inishgt into many things which before I smugly felt that I
understood and respected, but really didnt have a clue about. Rent made
me live my life in a better way, and gave me a kind of freedom and
passion which I didnt feel beofore. It's helped me to make new friends
and take chances sometimes when I wouldnt have before. Not least the
music has given me so many hours of enjoyment and I love listening to it
so much. I live in Northamptonshire and have only seen Rent once.
However I definately am going to see the matinee on the 30th, so I hope
I'll see you there since I have been reading your messages for so long.
The music ignites the night with passion and fire,
Rowena "
"Rent being part of my life over the last thirteen months has definately
changed me and the way that I view a huge amount of things, people and
issues. It's not just Rent itself, but also the people that I have met
through it and learning about different peoples views on issues that arise
from the show, not only the directly related ones, but also the so many
llittle things in the show that often nobody thinks about too much. Rent
has definately been a positive thing for me, (even though many people that I
don't know through Rent think that I am totally crazy going to see a show so
many times!!)
Rent carries, I think, the strongest messages that I have ever experienced
in a show or production before. I think that the fact that Jonathan Larson
had written such a strong and powerful play, and never even got to stay here
long enough to see how much people enjoy and appreciate and can relate to
his work enhances Rent's message. This could sound a bit like I am saying
that Rent's message is not strong enough without Jonathan Larson's death,
but this is not what I am saying at all. What I am saying is that
Jonathan's ambition had always been to have sucess in writing a play/show,
and he eventually wrote one that he related a lot to himself and his life
and all the issues that had been involved in his life, and then didn't even
get to see this dream of his be fulfilled and people to take such an
interest and understand the importance of the issues within Rent and him,
and watch people relate to his issues and Rent issues to their lives and
build on these comparisons and use Rent in a positive way to go about any
problems that may arise from these issues.
Unfortunately I have not seen any other productions of Rent, but the London
production and cast of Rent have always meant an awful lot to me. I have
also learnt a lot from them. I have learnt that everyone is different, both
from each other and within themselves. Almost everyone has an 'outer shell'
and is quite different once you look within that shell.
But, mainly, the people that I have met through Rent, those that I met in
line and through watching the show, have meant the most to me and still do.
The people that I have met are some of the most honest, open and kind
hearted people that I have ever known. They too, I have also learnt a lot
from, way too much for me to go into now, but I do know that if I don't keep
in touch with them, I will probably never forget them.
I am very glad that I discovered Rent and was able to share it with so many
wonderful people, and also introduce others to it. Rent and it's messages
is something that I will never forget, as well as the people that I have met
through it. I think that Rent has helped a lot of people through some very
hard times and does not deserve to come to this abrupt ending in London.
However, if the show is enduring a hard time and is gradually
discintergrating as a strong, powerful and meaningful show then maybe it is
best that it ends, but, however is definately not forgotten, before it
becomes meaningless and thought of as 'just another musical.' However, I
think that there must be a huge amount of people living in Britain that
haven't had the chance to discover Rent, and, perhaps, would benefit and
enjoy it.
Rent will always mean a lot to me and I like to think that it's messages and
themes will always stay with me and I will always remember and use these
messages to influence me in whatever I do."
PART A: Connection in an isolating age...
"RENT. What to talk about and what it means to me. Selina had approached me about this a while back and have yet to write down what RENT is. For each of the days that passed, I think of what I can write and came up with nothing. I haven't seen RENT in months nor have I listened to the CD recently either so it was the most difficult task to sit to down and write about it. So today, I've decided…I put the CD on and listen as to why I love this show. My first experience of Rent was back in 1996 on Broadway. The show has yet to hit the world by storm. All we knew of the show was it's a fresh new musical with unknown performers, and that its writer had tragically died on the night of its very first previews. The media frenzy on Jonathan Larson's death became the soft spot for selling the show on Broadway. Soon, Rent was all over the newspapers and televisions in America. America has finally found its new darling. Tickets became almost instantly sold out as posters and ads for the show started going up on the streets of New York City. As a kid from Toronto, growing up protected from such extremes of life on the street, blind folded by the fabrication of a beautiful life, I walked in to the Nederlander Theater merely expecting to see what the fuss is all about. Having been brought up to appreciate music theatre as merely a form of entertainment, I was only a spectator to enjoy a form of art on stage. I had paid my $80 to watch the "puppets" on stage do their stuff. Let me say, "was I in for a surprise of my life!" The energy from the very first song ran through me like a shock of electricity, waking up every muscle and every bone in my body. Finally my kind of music was on stage besides the classical and standards I've listened and sat through in the past. It was definitely re-inventing Broadway as it promised to. More energy was transmitted across the stage to the audience as the show got deeper into the developments of each character…and it had a purpose. Little did I know that I would be soon part of what was taking place on stage. Act two began and the break down in the show started. Each character that now had been more than just an acquaintance but a person you knew was breaking down emotionally, physically and mentally. You are still a spectator, but not of the show on stage anymore, but of those you care about most in your life. A spectator of that partner you kissed this morning, the one you will argue with tonight, the friend you had lunch with and will call tomorrow, the parents you can't stand but still go home to, your siblings that you wish weren't born, the ones you'll hug on Christmas day. Each character was now someone you know and surprisingly you find yourself or identify yourself with one of them. At first you say that's too shallow, or that's too arrogant of you. In fact, when you tell people you see yourself on stage, as it is the story of your life, they laugh at you. But the power of Rent is that it is what happens to all of us. Be it a very little part or a very big one. Its universal message that sends one crying or feeling deep emotions when Angel dies, when Joanne and Maureen makes up, when Roger and Mimi can finally see beyond their flaws, and when certainly come to realizing there is "noday but today". And this is what brought many of us back to the show a number of times. It opens our eyes to what is really around us. The noises that at one point in time we ignored became more and more evident that we are now unable to turn away from anymore. We no longer walk on straight narrowpaths, ignoring the channels and the winding roads around us. We finally see a connection with ourselves, with our lovers, with ourfriends, with our family, with one another. Connections we thought weren't there but had been all along. We simply ignored it and put away like a Pandora's box. It had been a tool for most of us to open up the blinds and let the light in, a tool to bring the walls down, where isolation in an "isolating age" is but an expression. It had given us a purpose, a will, and the strength to conquer the difficult struggles in our everyday lives. From learning about time, how we should dothings today as tomorrow is but a gift not promised to come, to be forgiving of one another when everything seems unforgivable, to be accepting and tolerant of those different and learning that there is nosuch word, to live with dignity regardless of who we are, and to live and love without conditions and judgements. What makes Rent RENT is because of its authenticity, its truth to itself and its message. We don't own anything - we don't own love, we don't own life, we don't own emotions…we rent…and we should make the best of it while we are here as there is "no day but today". "
PART B: Life of friends
"The most memorable experiences I have of Rent were in London. Having watched the original
Broadway cast and obsessing about it since, to watching practically everyday in Toronto [I worked for RENT in Toronto
so I have an excuse! :oP ], London will stay with me forever. I have met the most interesting, most loving, most
accepting, most true people in London. Even before I got there, I was already comfortable with the people there.
Bex was my first contact in London ever. She rocks my Rent world. I didn't just have to go to London to see Krysten
and the OBC cast anymore…I was also there to finally meet Bex. I flew to London August of 1998 on a very limited
budget, as I had not planned on going at all. For the very first time, I can say I've done the RENT line. I had
not done it in Toronto or New York. I called Bex the day before and asked her about instructions as to who will
meet me there. She said, she would show up later on in the day, as she had to do some paint shopping. I got there
and someone was already on line. Being shy[I know it's hard to believe that now], I didn't talk to the guy on line
and left the area. I returned after a few minutes still looking very lost and very confused [then thinking "Bex
where are you?]. When I got there, there was now a woman sitting with the man earlier and seem to have been on
a good conversation already. Beside them was another woman just minding her own business. I sat next to her and
said nothing to anyone. Then bravely, the woman with the man turned to me and asked if I was who I was. And I said
yes. She said, we're Bex's friends. I soon learned that it was Angel and Calvin. Later that day more people showed
up and soon Bex came around. Woo! Still very shy [shuddup! I said its hard to believe that now] about meeting Bex,
I sat there wordless and was just fascinated with the three of them talking - Calvin, Angel, and Bex. Soon, Josh
[Anthony's bo] and his friend joined us. More talks…and I continued sitting there fascinated. We watched the show
and liked it for what it was. I didn't like this cast much at first as I felt that the OBC could have performed
better. I decided to watch it again before I return to Toronto and still felt the same. I was disappointed going
home that I didn't have the same feeling from my experiences in New York and Toronto. I then went to NY after this
trip to catch the show there…sorta to renew my belief in it. Man was that sad! After watching the NY cast, I wanted
to scruff up some cash to go back to London the following year. I worked two jobs so I can afford this next trip.
And this one was truly the best ever! I arrived in London on a Thursday night, spent the night at a hotel and then
left in the morning for Paris. Prior to this trip Christina and I had been planning for meeting up in London for
months. Christina approached me around December of 1998 and since then we had been very good friends over the numerous
e-mails and a roller coaster of our lives. This time, I am going to meet more people I had been waiting to see
in London. I had told Bex [since I was staying with her] that I would be in London on the Thursday (a week later).
I had packed my bags in Paris on a Tuesday night and got on the train back to England. Earlier that day, I called
Christina on her mobile and told her that I will be in London on the Thursday. I tricked her into telling me her
plans for the show the next day. She said she would be in line about noon or so. I woke up early that day and headed
to the Shaftesbury getting there about 11:30 or so. No one was on the line so I decided to come back later. I went
to an internet café just around the Shaftesbury and read the "hunt for Todd" on the London message
board. Laughing my head off on the posts in search of me, or leads to where I was. It was so funny, Luciana was
like "I heard from Christina this…" then Bex was like "I better stay home then…" and then someone
was like "when is he here?" So then, I went back to the line and no one was there. I went across the
street and kept my eyes peeled for Christina getting to the theatre. I guess I missed her because I didn't see
she was there until she was walking towards me. But she didn't see me as she seemed busy talking to Gabrielle (the
friend she came to London with). But who could mistake Christina and her purpleness. I knew right away I have to
say "BOO!" So, I followed Christina and her friend for a few steps and then I called to her. She turned
once and turned away and then I guess she had to give a second look! I was like "I'M HERE!" And she was
all shocked! I wanted to surprise her so I had to do it that way. We went our separate ways and she told me to
come back later as Luciana was dying to talk to me about the New York cast. So then, I did. When I returned, Selina
was there and so was Luciana. We all talked like we've known each other all our lives and it was our little reunion.
We went to dinner before going back to the show and had a fantabulous time! Peter rocked as Roger! Man, the boy
had grown into the character like I've never seen before. He rocks as Roger. He can freakin' kick Adam's spoiled
arse as Roger! Lorraine rocked too, a new fave Mimi. Andy was just awesome of course - vocally and artistically!
Everyone was just phenomenal on stage. There was chemistry between all of them finally! A cast who actually reinvented
RENT altogether if you ask me. In NY its like the cast was just reading the scripts. The London cast was telling
it! It was awesome! I finally felt the feelings I had been missing for a while about this show. It totally renewed
me. Anyways, I returned on the Saturday following. We all decided to meet at the theatre around mid-noon. Already
on line were Luciana, Christina, and Selina and her friends from New Zealand. Again, had a great time on the line.
We listened to Christina's rendition of "Seasons Of Love", I did my rendition of "Out Tonight"
on the bike rack across the street (I think I scared a few people of the London community!), and everyone was just
having a great time. We went to MickeyD's for dinner and saw Peter there, and then we went back to the theatre
to watch the show. After the show we went backstage and met up with the cast. Peter and I finally got introduced
properly (I mean beyond the internet), and Joe was very nice about me being Canadian. It was a blast. I had such
a great time. Then good-byes came. The New Zealanders were going back, I was going back, Christina was going back.
It was just a sad goodbye…*sigh* I miss everyone. But I am thankful to all the people I met there. Bex, Christina,
Selina, Luciana…you guys will forever remind me of what RENT truly is…remember the year in the life of friends…Anyhoot,
that's it, that's my memorable experience of Rent. Peace out!"
(lua in centre)
"HEALTH WARNING!!!
In the interest of your safety, I think it's only fair I should tell you that the following piece is as heavy as
a brick, rather long-winded and at times..... makes no sense at all.... but then if you know me even just a little
bit.... it shouldn't surprise you in the least. So start reading at your peril.....but don't say I didn't warn
you!!!
*******************************************************************************************
I saw Rent for the first time on April 24th 1998 and I believe it was the first Saturday matinee preview. I was
2 months into a new job .... and for the first time in 6 years I didn't have to carry a Pager... I was NOT on call
24 hrs a day, 7 days a week.... I was free.... free to finally go to the theatre again......a great passion of
mine and something I had been unable to do for the longest time. Since then, I was able to make up for lost times.....
in the last 18 months I have been to the Theatre 143 times (but Rent only accounts for 69 of them!!).
So.... I am browsing through the "Hot Tickets" magazine during my lunch hour.... back then..... and I
see the article with Adam Pascal and Rent. I read the piece and somehow..... "it spoke to me"!!! So there
and then I called the Shaftesbury Theatre and booked my ticket for the following Saturday matinee.... I even remember
the ticket agent asking me where I had heard of Rent!!!
So Saturday came and I went to the Theatre.... I sat in CC12.... staring at the stage...... trying to "understand"
the set......waiting for the show to start..... not knowing that my life was about to change... irrevocably!!!
Then Adam came on.... plugged in his guitar.....the rest of the Cast moved into place and.... the most amazing
piece of Theatre I had ever seen began!! I am not going to tell you that I understood the entire plot that first
afternoon.... or even who was who on that stage..... but I knew I had witnessed something very special.... which
affected me profoundly.
In the preceding 15 months, I had lost a friend to AIDS, another one to cancer and .... the boy I grew up with
- my "buddy" - was murdered... he was found in his apartment....beaten to death.... still wearing his
"drag" clothes! Plus, following a routine visit to the doctor and the urgent removal of "bits"
which were not meant to be there, I found myself waiting for test results for 2 weeks..... a situation which I
had never encountered before. The results came and they were good but it was certainly a wake up call for me.....
and made me re-assess my entire existence....and certainly I came to realise that I needed to live for today.....because
"today" may be all we have left!!
So with all this firmly embedded in my soul, I am sitting in CC12 on April 24th 1998 and I am watching the show
unfold..... and I am totally blown away...because what I see on that stage and what I am hearing are my exact thoughts.....
my feelings..... what I believe in .... and somebody else had put them into music!! The impact the show had on
me that day was almost "physical"..... after the last note was played.... I remember standing up from
my seat..... I remember thinking that I would have killed to have hair like Ant.....I remember buying a programme
from one of the ushers..... then .... 15 minutes later I found myself at the M&S in Marble Arch but.... I have
no recollection of how I got there.....!!!
For days after that.... people at work commented that I was unusually quiet.... and when asked about the weekend...
I found myself unable to speak about my Rent experience.... for fear that just by putting it into words I would
trivialise its meaning!!! I needed to take a moment..... absorb Rent ..... store it in the "holistic"
section of my brain..... and study it until it made sense. And so... I did store it.... and although I did not
see Rent again until September 98, I did study it throughout the summer.....and eventually it did make perfect
sense to me.
So I returned to Rent in September 98, after watching an episode of Ally McBeal in which Jesse L. Martin was featured.
To tell you the truth.... I didn't recognise Jesse immediately.... I sat there for the first 30 minutes with my
mouth open, thinking.... wow what a babe!!! And then..... I got a sense that I had seen him somewhere before....
and eventually I remembered. So needless to say I was on the phone to the Shaftesbury booking my next ticket, even
before the episode was over!!
But when I got to the theatre for my second show, I realised that Adam and Jesse had just left the Cast and.....
Peter walked on stage with his pony tail. Unbeknown to me, at the time Peter was covering for Adrian who was involved
in a motorbike accident only a week after taking over from Adam. But since I didn't know this .... I assumed Peter
was our new Roger since I saw him several times in the next few days. I remember thinking that his voice was remarkable
but that perhaps he was a little "serious" (but he soon changed to become "the" Roger and setting
the standards against which we have measured everybody else's performance ever since) .... nevertheless, even then,
I liked him a lot..... even though I couldn't remember his name at first, and I kept calling him "pony tail
guy".
So by this time I am really into Rent.... and I can't shut up about it either!!! I foolishly kept trying to explain
it to my friends, who happen to be scattered around the world.... and I am sure they thought I was quietly but
inexorably going insane!! Anyway... show number 5 was even more confusing.... since I am sitting there... waiting
for the "pony tail guy" to come on...... but the "little guy" with the spiky blond hair job
shows up instead!!! And I have to be honest...... because I really liked Peter..... it took me a while to get used
to Adrian's interpretation and the peculiar use of "his tongue"....... but eventually I got used to him
and liked him just as much.
So I am watching Adrian and all the time I am thinking....."I wonder what happened to the pony tail guy?"....
And sure enough there he was... doing "Will I" ..... with the hair down.... looking and singing like
"Jesus".... and after quickly referring to the programme, I understood the whole "understudy"
situation and I remember thinking... how unfair that someone who sang like Peter and could portray Roger the way
he did.... should then be relegated to a less demanding role...... equally as essential to the play..... but less
demanding nevertheless. Now that I have a better understanding of theatre in general.... I realise why that happens!!!
So for the next few months I kept returning to the show by myself.... and with December approaching..... a Rent
Ticket was my Christmas present to everyone last year..... and I successfully managed to spread my "addiction"
to quite a few of my friends..... but I was particularly successful with Petra... who lives in Atlanta.... and
who... after seeing Rent and Adrian for the first time... became totally besotted with both... but particularly
with the latter. To the extend that after a frantic search on the Net..... she successfully managed to download
several pictures of Adrian... and used them as "wallpaper" on her PCs, at work and at home..... and even
lied about Adrian's true identity. When asked by a neighbour if he was her boyfriend....... she claims she was
unable to answer the question because she started choking on her "tall, non fat, decaf latte" and although....
technically she didn't lie...... she never actually set the neighbour straight either. Although ..... to Petra's
credit, I have to say she did show some remorse when I pointed out to her that sooner or later she was going to
have to explain the fact that "her boyfriend" never went around to visit her. Bless her!!!! Of all the
people I took to see Rent..... Petra was certainly the one who totally embraced the show.... completely understood
its meaning and was as much affected by it ....as I was.
Petra, myself and a few other friends were actually at the show on the 18th of December.... which unbeknown to
us at the time, was also Adrian's last show. We sort of "happened" to be passing by the stage door after
the show and we started chatting to Adrian who having heard of Petra's taste in PC "wallpaper", first
nearly killed himself laughing and then gave her a huge hug and a kiss on the cheek. Adrian was his usual kind
and charming self that night but .... I couldn't help noticing the sad expression on his face.... and although
I thought nothing of it at the time... the reason became apparent 2 weeks later ..... on the 1st of January 1999
to be precise.... when Petra once again popped to London on her way to Atlanta, purely to see the show and Adrian.
New Year's Day did not start off too well for Petra and I.... first thing after her arrival, I had to tell her
that Kirsten, a dear friend of ours, had been in an horrific car crash on Boxing Day in Germany.... leaving her
father dead....2 other relatives severely injured, Paul her boyfriend in a critical state and Kirsten with a broken
spinal chord..... with serious doubts on whether she'd be able to ever walk again. So with this horrible news hanging
over our heads..... we made our way to the Shaftesbury, where we heard the news of Adrian's departure from the
show. Now.... while the sadness of the car crash cannot even remotely be compared with Adrian's departure from
Rent.... it was clearly an added disappointment for Petra.... who had travelled to London especially to see him.
So we both sat there and, in our hearts, we dedicated the show, and especially Season's of Love, to Kirsten and
Paul.
During the interval, I plucked up the courage to approach the "screaming girlies" in the front row since
I recognised a few of them from my previous visits...and they recognised me (Oh Bless!!) and that was the first
time I spoke to Selina. She immediately brought us up to date with the whole Adrian situation and confirmed that
Peter had been promoted to the role of Roger, although he felt really badly about the unfortunate circumstances
etc. So there and then.... with the outrage of Adrian's loss still hanging in the air.... we vowed to totally support
and encourage Peter. After the show.... Petra and I followed the "screaming girlies" to the stage door....
and we exchanged a few words with Peter realising how modest and unassuming he was..... After saying our goodbyes
we saw Peter going home.... walking in between a lady and a gentleman .... and although I couldn't be sure.....
I got a sense that they could have been his Mum and Dad .... who came to see him in his new role.... and I remember
thinking.... that they must have been so proud of him..... bless them!!
The following day I sent Kirsten a copy of the Rent CD in hospital and told her that when she was well enough I
would take her to the show..... and I did.... in June... she walked into the Shaftesbury with her own legs....
totally loved the show..... met Peter afterwards.... and wanted to adopt him 5 minutes later!!! I told her she
had to join the queue... !!!
Anyway..... so now it's January and I have met Selina.... who introduced me to Harry (sweetie pie!), a whole other
bunch of groovy people, the Rent Board, the concept of "Renthead" and the "Line" for the £10
tickets.... and the rest is history. For the next few months Selina, Adrian "Schunard", Calvin, Bex,
Angel, Claire, Sarah (N.A.L), Mel, Erin, Ruth, Sherene, Helen, Louise, Rosie, Sarah (G.B.) , James and many others.....
we practically queued an average of 5 hours every Saturday... in sub zero temperatures, gale force winds and under
the constant threat of attach from the square's resident "winos" not to mention a couple of individuals
who had been "released into the care of the community" and were clearly NOT taking their medications...
we queued for the privilege of watching this spectacular show from our regular seats (BB18) .... close to our Cast
who, over the months we came to love and respect so much.
The "queue" with all the laughters, the arguments, the psycotic episodes, the falling outs, the making
ups, the birthday celebrations etc..... became the focal point for people visiting Rent "regularly" from
all over the world....friends we never would have met otherwise.... such as: Cristina, Todd, Bea, Gustavo, Karine,
Matu, Naoko and more recently Andy.... who captured all of this and much, much more ....on film!!! We all came
together..... to see Rent..... which gave us a strength we never thought we had..... gave us the courage to quit
our jobs because we were unhappy.... get a tattoo because it's cool.... jump on a plane to New York to see Rent
over there and realise you needn't have bothered because compared to London....it's... it's.... oh don't even get
me started on that (!!!)...... in short.... to grab life with both hands.....make decisions...... have no regrets....
live this moment as your last.... NO DAY BUT TODAY!!!
I love you Jonathan Larson, Michael, Glyn, Max, all my Rentheads friends and the London Cast of Rent!!!"