Eric and I went to see
Rent last night. I have to say, I was sorrily disappointed. I won't give anything away to those of you who have not seen it yet, but I will list my biggest complaint with it. If you have seen the film, please feel free to add your opinion.
Okay, I love musicals as much as the next theater geek. Well, let me amend that: I love musicals onstage. There is definitely a difference in watching a musical onstage and onscreen. Film is a much more realistic medium and it is much more difficult to justify bursting into song in the middle of the East Village than onstage. There are ways around this dilemma, however.
Chicago, for example. Not only did they set the film in an almost mystical, cabaret-like atmosphere, the music was also justified by being a figment of Roxy's mind. This is similar in
Moulin Rouge where the setting is so fantastic (and in a theater, nonetheless) that bursting into song seems not only justified, but almost necessary.
Rent, however, is a story grounded in real life that seemed to translate well onstage, but does not translate as well onto the silver screen. I heard a rumor somewhere that said Jonathan Larson (the creator who has, sadly, passed away) never wanted Rent to become a film. I hate to say it, but I think he was right.
That said, I still love the music and I also loved the fact that 95% of the original Broadway cast is in this version. I feel like this is probably the only time I will ever see them perform the show together.
In other Jessica news, the Alix Olson concert was Thursday night and it came together beautifully. Wednesday and Thursday morning I was running around like a crazy person trying to find damn stage monitors for the show. Thank God the Motley came through and lent me theirs for the show.
Alix was so sweet and talented. I got to see about 3/4s of her show (because I was running around setting up for the reception afterwards). It was interesting to me because there were definitely parts of the show where I thought to myself, "I should be a little more shocked about this, but I'm just not." Either I have become desensitized or I am much more open minded than even I expected. I would like to think the latter. Anyway, overall the show was great. She was such a sweetheart and hilariously funny, with a good underlying message. I have to say, I am glad there are women out there like her because there needs to be.
Well, I have 3 out of 15 pages written for the second half of my thesis (due Tuesday) so I had probably get back to it. Realistically, I will probably surf the net for another half hour or so then start working on something else. Oh well.
Wish me luck!
Jess
