The spectacular Broadway musical takes another leap to the small screen. This time around theatergoers will get to see the actual stage show from the comfort of their nearest cineplex. The subtitle says it all. This is the actual show from the actual Nederlander Theater in New York City where the show has prospered for about twelve years now. What makes this edition doubly exciting is that this is the final performance of the NYC version of RENT. Yes, folks, the show officially closed up shop on 9/7/08. Luckily some sweet soul decided to capture the moment for the world to see.


The cast of Rent! Well, most of them anyway

“RENT” is basically about a group of friends and their tumultuous year together. The musical was written by the late, great Jonathan Larson and is loosley based on the opera "La Boheme". The show opens with Mark (Adam Kantor) & Roger (Will Chase). Mark is a struggling writer and Roger is a struggling musician. Both share a dilapidated building as their home keeping warm by any means while pursuing their dreams. Along the way we meet hottie dancer / junkie Mimi (Renee Elise Goldsberry), the outrageous Maureen (Eden Espinosa), level headed lawyer Joanne (Tracie Thoms), the too cool for school college professor Collins (Michael McElroy) and the kindhearted drag queen Angel (Justin Johnston). Former buddy Benny (Rodney Hicks) drops in a couple of times, sometimes as a hindrance and sometimes as a helper.


Roger (Will Chase), Collins (Michael McElroy), Maureen (Eden Espinosa) & Benny (Rodney Hicks)

Throughout the twelve month period we watch this group of friends laugh, fight, grieve, leave and love each other. The show does a fantastic job of simultaneously presenting the characters’ personal dramas while putting the spotlight on important social issues like AIDS, homosexuality, drug abuse, and homelessness. A cast of wicked cool characters of every shade, a totally hip story, and a phenomenal soundtrack have made “RENT” a Broadway classic. I could seriously write a small novella about how much I love “RENT” and how it impacted my life in a positive way. But I’m keeping my focus on this newest cinematic incarnation.

How does the stage show translate to the big screen? Honestly, I would say the transfer was about 90% complete. I just don’t believe you can bottle up “live”. I own DVD editions of live shows such as “Riverdance at Radio City” and “Purlie”. Sure, I love watching the performances and I’m very grateful that someone in his/her infinite wisdom recorded the event so I can watch it whenever I want. But you can’t put the vibrations from the live band in a DVD case. You can’t attach a special feature that will channel the vibe from seeing the performers right there, in your presence, on a stage. Perhaps one day technology will be created to make that miracle happen. But with the present HD projectors and surround sound we have now the “live” experienced isn’t fully achieved.

But it comes close enough.

There are so many advantages to seeing “RENT: Filmed Live”. I admit that at first I scoffed at paying $20 to see it. My first thought was that I didn’t want to pay that amount when I pay $10 max to see a regular feature. Then I talked with some friends and realized that I was paying $20 to see a Broadway show without having to hike it to The City. The view alone is worth $20. Imagine seeing “RENT” in a movie theater with stadium seating. No big hats to worry about and, depending on your cinema of choice, you’ll probably have a more comfortable seat than at the Nederlander. $20 also gets you a point of view that beats Orchestra seating hands down. The camera got so tight on the actors in some scenes that I could actually make out the writing on some of their costumes.