Rent

I have not ever seen Rent performed, and have not yet seen the recent movie production either. Traditionally I am not a big fan of musical performances, but have started to enjoy them more. My fiancé is a huge fan of musicals and commonly tries to get me to attend performances with her, and watch old movies with singing and dancing in them. We attended a performance of Wicked this fall and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the performance. The singing in dancing really didn't get in the way of the story, as I thought it might. I found myself deep into the story, just as I would in a drama.

Rent was especially interesting for me. I have never taken the time to just listen to a musical without seeing the actual performance, and I was pleasantly surprised! I enjoyed using my imagination to create the characters, and I think the music really helped to pull out my emotions. I feel like those people that say, "I'm not going to see the movie, the book is always better!" I feel as though the characters put on the screen/stage will not meet my expectations.

I really thought it was fascinating how Jonathan Larson adapted a nineteenth-century opera into a play that had meaning in today's world. The revolution of topics such as poverty and illness may have made it easier, but I really think it must've taken a special talent on his part.

My fiancé and I were having a conversation after listening to Rent together about music in general. I think I was surprised how intrigued I was by the musical. She helped to put things into perspective though. She talked about some of the bands I tend to listen to on my iPod, or in the car. Most of the artist that I like was because of their talent of telling stories through music. I enjoy bands that I can understand the words and follow the story throughout the song. I enjoy the feelings of rage, love, torture, etc that are brought about by any drama that is amplified in music. We have tickets to see three performances while we are in London for our honeymoon, and I am beginning to get excited that two of the plays are musicals.