Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway

It's great to have a document of the live stage show. The cast is ok. The weakest link is Will Chase. He's just not right for the role and I prefer a Latina in the role of Mimi so it's not the best cast but still good to have on file and it's better than the film version.

This has to be one of the best DVDs I own. Having not even heard of Rent until the movie came out, I never really knew the story until 2005. It was a great idea to do the movie and an even better idea to release the final Broadway show on DVD. It is making it possible for those of us who only learned of Rent late in the game or for those of us who were too young when it came out or for those of us who don't live in or visit New York to see this amazing piece of theatre. The cast did a great job and Jonathan's beautifully written story will live on in this performance. This story is the heartwarming tale of eight friends, with various issues, including some main ones of living in poverty and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The music is incredible and it's not all "showtunes" but rather, it is a combination of various styles, including rock, gospel and pop. It makes a statement and it warms your heart. It takes a couple watches of Rent to fully understand the story but once you do, you're captured in its magic for life.

Every decade, it seems, Broadway produces a transcendent musical. In the 1970's, it was A CHORUS LINE, in the 1980's, it was LES MISERABLES. Jump to the 2000's, you have WICKED and, of course, the 2010's brought us HAMILTON.

The 1990's brought us a "rock musical" that focused on a global pandemic set against the backdrop of social protesting and racial injustices (sound familiar), this musical is Jonathan Larson's RENT.

Following (loosely) the plot of the 1896 opera LA BOHEME, RENT tells the tale of disaffected artists trying to live and love (and make rent) while living their lives the way they wish to live it. Writer Jonathan Larson (who passed, suddenly, the day before previews began) created a powerful, rock driven, story that is poignant, sad and hopeful all at the same time. The original Broadway production Iwhich I am bragging that I saw 2x with the original cast) brought such talent as Jesse L. Martin, Anthony Rapp, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel to the forefront.

But...skip the film version of this musical (starring most of the original cast) that came out in 2005. It is purfunctuary and lifeless. Instead, seek out the 2008 RENT: FILMED LIVE ON BROADWAY. Like Hamilton, this is a filmed version of the stage show and is able to capture the power and emotion that only live theater can provide.

The cast in this production is outstanding - with the standout being (no surprise) a young Renee Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schulyer in Hamilton) who shines brightly as Mimi.

Like Hamilton, Rent showcases the power - and purpose - of live theater. A place that I cannot wait to go to again in 2021.

Letter Grade: A-

8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)

RENT is an updated version of "La Boheme" about a group of bohemian artists striving for their art while facing the dangers of paying the rent, poverty, illness, and the AIDS epidemic.

My first introduction to RENT was through the Chris Columbus film. I thought it was wonderful, and even since I saw that version, I've wanted to see the stage production. But seeing as where I live, it was impossible. Then learning that it was closing on Broadway, it broke my heart even more. But then, I learned that the final performance was going to be filmed. I was so happy, that I wanted to see it, but other things got in the way. After a while, I thought I would never see it, until it came out on DVD on February 3rd. I rented it, and I saw it, and I loved it. It feels so good to see the stage production that it's all I watch now. I won't even disregard Columbus' film, but there's something about this one that just stayed with me. Plus, I, of course, cried like a baby watching.

Please see this.

One of the best musicals and one of the best cast so it being recorded is amazing. I love this movie and i love the idea of it but it is so hard no to cry but that's fine so an ultimate 10/10 so good.