(At the same time as Yaoi-Con, Victoria covers something in her neck of the woods)

I first heard about the Rent cinecast via an advertisement on Broadway World. So you know, this is not to be confused with the 2004 Chris Columbus film featuring most of the original Broadway cast. The Rent cinecast is a compilation of the final performances of the Jonathan Larson show on Broadway's Nederlander Theater.

I went a screening on Thursday, September 24, 2008. The cinecast was a limited engagement only to be shown in select movie houses. I saw the screening in Long Beach's Regal Cinemas. The price tag for the cinecast was higher than the normal price I'd pay for the movies. In fact, it was the same amount I paid for when I saw a Rent matinee at the Golden Gate Theater in San Francisco - $20. No student discounts.

The movie theater was hardly full. Only a handful of Rentheads. We cheered when Jonathan Larson's name appeared on the credits. The film opened with what you would usually see on the Rent stage - the long table and scaffoldings. Several "aww"'s of nostalgia were heard in the audience. The simple set up reminded me of my first time seeing Rent in New York during the week of its 10th anniversary.

Rent is basically La Boheme set in the early 90s at the height of the AIDS epidemic. The show follows a group of eccentric New Yorkers in the course of one year. As Team America puts it, everyone has AIDS (except for Mark and maybe Benny. Maybe). In the 5,256,000 minutes, we see love, death, and friendship unfold.

I'm not particular with any cast member being superior to the other. I've always felt Rent is an ensemble driven show. True, while I love performances of the the original Broadway cast, as everyone is familiar with them via the magic of the 2004 film and the cast recording, it is also a breath of fresh air seeing others compliment the roles. As long as the actor plays true to the spirit and integrity of the character, they sit well in my book. I get tired of Rentheads being vehement against casting.

Will Chase had top notch vocals for Roger. His chemistry between the playful, yet sultry Mimi (Renee Elise Goldsberry) was believable and charming. It was a real treat to see the 2004 movie Joanne (Tracie Thoms). She played Joanne witty and funny. Of course, I'll admit my bias, my favorite performance was Eden Espinosa's Maureen. I first saw Eden in Wicked and since then, have feel involve with her intense and fierce portrayal of the Wicked Witch of the West. Her "Over the Moon" was over the top that even the movie audience started moo-ing. Another memorable performance was Justin Johnson's Angel. I saw him on Broadway in the loveable transgender role. He was such a joy to see onstage either in his sassy rendition of "Today 4 U" or his fragileness in "Without You." His death sequence did not leave an eye dry in the movie audience. Justin Johnson's portrayal can be nicknamed The Angel of Fanservice - so many bright lime green panty shots.

Regardless of who's playing who, Rent still evokes a story about living each day to the fullest. Whether or not you agree with the story's use of AIDS being current to today, the message is clear. No one knows when our last day will come, nor do we know if we will be given a second chance. Rent embraces individuality and diversity. Of course, Rent was one of the first shows to break ground to portray lesbian and gay couples. Though Hair and A Chorus Line have touched on gay issues, Rent broke ground to really explore and have same-sex romance on the forefront, rather than a side story.

Spring Awakening is being hailed as the new Rent. Only time and the success of the tour will tell. Most youngsters are still singing verses of "The Internet is for Porn" and assume the only musicals in existence are Avenue Q and Wicked.

In an age where Broadway shows are being brought to the big screen, it was nice to have one final memorial performance for the sake of immortality. I am really hoping that the cinecast will be released on DVD for all generations to enjoy this piece of theatre history. Jonathan Larson left us with an amazing piece about friendship, love, and life.

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