The original Broadway cast of Rent will reunite April 24 for a one-time benefit show in commemoration of the drama’s 10th anniversary. Tickets start at $1,000.
For us peons who can’t afford such prices, Rent is now on DVD, featuring most of the original cast, commentary and an alternate ending.
The feature-length documentary, aptly titled No Day But Today, explains the history of Rent and, more importantly, the life of its creator Jonathan Larson, who died unexpectedly at age 35 – just before the show’s off-Broadway debut.
For seasoned Rent-heads who were disappointed by mysteriously absent songs like “Halloween” and the rest of “Goodbye Love,” the deleted scenes satisfy.
After watching the documentary, though, one can’t help but wonder what Larson would think of the film. He took criticism and script changes to Rent very seriously and was often too stubborn to compromise. Director Chris Columbus explains in the commentary that the scenes didn’t fit with the film’s pacing, but Larson would probably be devastated to see some of the most poignant parts removed. Or maybe I’m just bitter I can’t afford those $1,000 tickets.