RENT

Although RENT has been on Broadway for quite some time and the show has been showing in DC and Baltimore on and off, it wasn't until this time last year that I'd fall in love with RENT and it wasn't until last night that I'd finally get the chance to see it live in DC.

Before last year, I'd say I had a rather ignorant view of RENT thinking it was just a play about people dying with AIDS. Althougth AIDS is a very serious problem, I guess you could say it wasn't something I really thought much about beyond knowing how it's spread and that one of my favorite singers (Freddie Mercury) died from it. My first exposure to rent would come in the form of listening to the original Broadway soundtrack, while volunteering with my UCP clients at a local AIDS organization called HAVEN. While we were stuffing envelopes with flyers, the soundtrack played in the background and after hearing the signature song "Seasons of Love" I was hooked. I really liked the message of the song about how do you truly measure a last year of life and I thought of myself if I were ever in such a situation how would I be. Anyway, after listening to the soundtrack I'd learn that there was so much more to the play than just peopole dying of AIDS. I'd learn the play is about LIFE and making the most of one's life no matter how long or short it may be.

Shortly afterwords, I quickly bought my own copy of the soundtrack and listened to it religiously. I then wanted to see the play ASAP. I found out it was showing in DC, but sadly the show sold out and it looked like I would not see RENT live for the forseeable future. Later that year, I'd find out RENT would be made into a feature film featuring most of the original Broadway cast from the soundtrack. On opening weekend a group of friends and I went to see the movie and I LOVED it. I now had a visual picture to match the wonderful musics. The movie made me laugh, cry, and everything in between.

As for finally seeing the play, my friend, Nick, had a B-day in March and being a fan of RENT as well, he asked his mother to get him tickets to see RENT. Knowing how much of a fan I am and all the things I've done for him, I was his first and only choice to go with him. Although it had the stipulation of me driving to and from DC (or at least the metro station), but I didn't care because I figured that bit of gas money and wear/tear on my car would be worth it.

I'll admit I was a little bit skeptical abuot seeing RENT preformed by people other than the original Broadway cast I had grown to love. Would they sing as good? Will they look differnt? Those were questions that were on my mind before the show started, but once things started I didn't seem to care anymore because they were GREAT. It's really hard to explain, but it truly was a magical experience seeing it live like that. I am so thankful that Nick considered me to go with him and now I feel as if I've experienced everything there is to seeing RENT. I guess now I just have to apply the lessons and to remember there truly is no day but today!