It's such a tragedy that Johnathan Larson never lived to see his masterpiece performed, let alone see how much it would affect people, even 20 years later. Rest in Peace Johnathan Larson
Even sad that he never lived to see how Rent impacted Broadway and see what his cast professionally and personally took from this touching story. Especially the success of Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Elsa.
I feel the world was cheated with Jonathan Larson's sudden passing. I wonder how many more great works he would have bestowed upon us if he was still alive. And to think his death was preventable if diagnosed correctly.
The only sad thing about Rent is how its creator, the late Jonathan Larson, died the same day it premiered on Off-Broadway, leaving a great legacy of a musical behind.
Alex McGillvrey He would have mentored the likes of Lin Manual Miranda, Pasek and Paul and many more who went on to carry on the next generation of the American musical.
TKvids 13 In spirit yes. Without Rent there would be no In the Heights, Next to Normal, Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton (which I have yet to see) and many more.
Hearing and seeing the original cast is like a breath of fresh air. Don't get me wrong, every cast since has been extremely talented and brilliant as their characters but just the familiarity of the original is, for lack of a better word, relieving :)
I know this is old but I totally agree, I think some things have to be seen at the time their were released to truly be seen in their whole passion of what was going on in society at the time etc. feel the same about Hair, I wish I could have actually seen that in the 60's
I was high school when Rent came on Broadway. I listened to the double album forwards and backwards. My best friend and I would sing it every part of that musical to each other. Nothing will ever live up to the original, ever!!
I got to see Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal and Gwen Stewart in the national tour they did (I think it was for the 20th anniversary) and even just hearing Adam's voice as Mark starting the show felt so surreal after listening to the CDs of the OST for so many years. I didn't get to see it on Broadway but at least I got to see them together and the energy, rapport and confidence that only comes from originating the characters pretty much "ruined" any other portrayals for me. I still go to see it when it comes through here but that experience will never be topped for me.
emmabearhoran I think this show means a lot to a lot of people. What saddens me is that Jonathan Larson will never know how much joy his work has brought into the world. And maybe not the whole world, but the people that have seen it or listened to it, they know what I'm talking about.
After watching this again, twenty years later, I can't help but think how Jonathan Larson spread so much joy & tears with his work. When Lin-Manuel Miranda so very eloquently spoke at this year's Tony's I thought of him. Love is love is love is... So very many people make these shows happen & I'm so very, very grateful.
I liked Lin's first musical In the Heights and I do hope to see Rent for the first time on it's 20th anniversary tour. For the past few years, I've seen how Rent has impacted Broadway in not just the creation of In the Heights but as well as Wicked, Next to Normal, Billy Elliot, Hairspray, Mamma Mia and Memphis.
Hi Leona. I'm not sure why you'd ask, but I believe there are many different folks who would thrive in Rent, as has certainly been proven over the years. Mr. Larson made a show for the ages & I think it'll be interesting to see Rents latest round with new cast/direction/staging/etc. Just as I believe the new cast members of Hamilton are doing Lin Manuel Miranda proud. Hamilton's original cast, as I'd hope & believe those going forward, are people of pipes & artistry. I've always enjoyed witnessing a performance by someone in something outside of their expected genre. In fact, I look for that as that's a gift to enjoy.
Would have been EPIC to see a Tony passed down from one master of the rock musical to another. 20 years later, Webber would go back to his roots from the 70's with School of Rock.
Jonathan Larson wrote RENT thinking that he was going to write a musical that was going to speak to a generation. What he didn't realize was that the generation he was hoping to inspire was already there, they just needed a voice.
I just realized something. You notice that odd, awkward musical transition at 4:40 between "It's creation!" and every shouting "Viva la vie boheme!" I never understood why that was there until tonight. This was June 1996. The cast album wasn't recorded until later that month. In the actual show, there's a pause after the final "La vie boheme!" where Mark delivers a short monologue "The riot continues. The Christmas tree goes up in flames. The snow dances. Oblivious, Roger & Mimi share a small, lovely kiss". As the lights come up on Roger & Mimi kissing, we hear the slow electric guitar slide that on the cast album immediately follows the final "La vie boheme!" and leads into everyone shouting "Viva la vie boheme!" Since this performance predates the cast album by a few weeks, they must not have figured out yet how to transition into that guitar slide without Mark's monologue. Hence the awkward transition.
Yes, these likely were left out of the tony performance to make it snappy and more of a performance for the tony's, They cut a huge chunk out of la vie boheme, skipping to a later part. It's a medley and they wanted to keep it short and effective
What I like about Rent is that the actors arent limited when singing nor acting and dancing! When I see shows with more choreography and placement like The Lion King or Pippin etc.. the actors dont put as much emotion because they are limited. Thts why Rent is amazing! Because the actors can add their own style and movements in:)
Ya there is set placement, but they have different moves and can act differently. Wht im trying to get at is these actors and actresses can interpret the part for themselves on how they perceive the characters to be. Ya they have a script but they add their own style. Im just pointing out they have a lil but more freedom than other shows which makes it better
***** When I did Rent, the director basically said, "Do your own thing, I will comment if I want to see something different." That's how I believe most productions of this musical are, however, yes after a while, you do slip into doing things the same way every time. It is nice though to shake it up every once in a while. I changed little things in my performance every time.
susan payer At a certain point, the actor pretty much has free reign over what they get to do on stage, especially as they become the reason the audience is buying tickets. NPH can adlib as much as he wants and won't get fired because he gets asses in the sets and keeps the doors open and the lights on and the wallets full.
Of course there is a certain extent to which they choreograph songs, but my friend is also in an off Broadway version of rent(which started in June), and she says lots of times they get to improvise. Im pretty sure in a show like rent there is little choreography within it
Imagine being a kid in 1996 seeing this for the first time. I get chills after Rent has changed Broadway. Imagine watching it at the beginning. How amazing that must have been.
That was me! My mom, my grandma, and I saw Rent on Broadway w original cast, I was 13. I still remember it, and I have no doubt it changed my life direction. I also remember sitting next to my grandmas during La Vie Boheme and being like omg omg omg the lyrics! I miss her, and maybe didn’t give her enough credit- I still think of what an exceptional and non-judgmental, loving lady she was. Sorry to ramble. ❤
This show changed my life forever. Thank you, Jonathan Larson. And to Daphne and Idina who are the reasons why I fell in love with theatre!!!! THANK YOU! :)
Jasper Hardin EXACTLY! first saw it when i was 10, im now 14 and i still cry everytime. as a bisexual it made me accept myself more to see that there were others like me
Can't believe I just found this video. Watching the original cast perform this early in the production - it's incredible. I actually teared up. Brings me right back to those years.
This is KARMA - I stumbled on this tonight and I am actually wearing the Tee Shirt we bought the FIRST TIME WE SAW RENT, IN NYC, just 6 months after Jonathan died. I went on to five more performances, still have the original cast recording on my IPod, never bought another shirt, as this one is indestructible‼️🌹I cannot believe that I am wearing it… I just love EVERYTHING that RENT represents, and I found that each cast brought their own life experiences to their work, which made each performance special. I had no idea that Jesse L. Martin could sing- there wasn’t any music in Law and Order. This show is timeless😍😍😍😍
I remember listening to this as a small child not understanding but singing and dancing anyways. Listening to it on Xmas eve and singing along. When the bullies wouldn't let up I'd put the headphones in. I remember seeing the movie the day after it came out. One night with tears in my eye I listened to the music and then with tears still in my eyes coming out to my mom. Thank you Jonathan Larson, for everything.
I heard the songs, One Song Glory and Seasons of Love on the radio in the mornings when I was about 20 years old getting ready for work. 2 years earlier my mom told me to either go to college or get a job. I had not clue what I wanted to do for a career so I got a job lol. The music touched me even though I knew nothing about the show. I got tickets and the rest is history. I fell in love and I went back to my life with urgency. I need to get my shit together and be happy! It changed my life. Forget regret or life is yours to miss❤️
Rent is one of those things that got me into musicals and singing in general. 14 years later I have people begging me to sing for them, mostly close friends of course because I don't sing for a lot of people. But I learned to sing from this musical alone. Will forever be an inspiration for me
I know you said this five years ago, but you should watch the Rent movie. It’s on Netflix. It has most of the original cast except for the person who played Mimi and Joanne I think.
He lives on through all of us his endearing fan's, family & close friend's. he really did start a revolution in the art's & theater. Cheer's to all fellow fan's we unite in differnces to becoem one. live on johnthan we love you
Jonathan never knew how much people actually cared about the same things he did and he wouldn’t have had to go and write another musical so fast like they always wanted to he would have been able to enjoy the success of rent
Many, many thanks to the person(s) who edited this and posted it! I was not old enough at the time to have seen this but have since seen RENT twice on stage. This musical has great, inexpressible meaning to so many - it is wonderful to see it honored. Thank you for taking the time to post this!
I remember going to see this on Broadway. The first time I cried so hard and laughed harder. Best THEATER PLAY I ever seen in my life! I went back several times , but with friends! I needed them to see this for themselves. Amazing , just Amazing... Thanks for sharing this video....
For the first time today, I really understood the whole point of the production. Living live to its fullest. The importance of all kinds of love - whether friendship or romance, black or white, sick or healthy, gay or str8. Live&love honestly daily-make connections - be happy.People dont realize the magnitude of the pain for those of us who for reasons cannot have any of that. I think thats why I cried. Not only the loss of Angel but what he represented- the loss of the life I dreamed about
@@manuelorozco7760 Hamilton is just on a whole other level in its brilliance. I truly thought I would be disappointed when I finally got to see it because of all of the hype but instead it exceeded my expectations.
rent means so much to me as a growing actress, it inspired my creativity, and it made my love for musical theatre even bigger than it was before. the diversity and heartache if this musical brings me to tears. rent will always hold a special, reserved place in my heart. jonathon larson is a brilliant man and will always be remembered as a genius to all of us theatre kids. saying this musical is amazing is an understatement. ❤️
Jonathan Larson will always be missed. Rent is such a beautiful musical full of life and passion. It shows diversity, hardships, and problems that were common at the time. The characters are relatable and the music captures your heart in a way that brings you to tears. Angel was a wonderful character and the loss of that character is sad. Just like the loss of Jonathan Larson rocked the musical theatre world and devastated many. As it continues to be a prominent loss as long as this musical lives on.
Old guy here, so to speak. Saw it in its original form off-b-way b4 the meterotic transfer and before newsweek and the cult of Rent. The next time I saw it was a mere 4 days after this at a Matinee and u would have no idea how AMAZING the energy was in that theater! The riff raff kids who thought they were getting a few months work changed theater history. To say the roof was blown off the Nederlander is an understatement during that performance! Thank you Jonathan for the privilege.
It's so very sad Jonathan Larson never ever got to see his work. I just love RENT and the music so much it affects a lot us now and forever/ Thank You Jonathan for this wonderful gift.
I was 1 year old when Rent made its debut on broadway.. But 17 years later, Rent is still giving me impact of life.. Love you Rent!! And thank you Jonathan Larson.. :)
My school is lucky enough to perform (the school edition) of RENT. Im so honored to have been chosen to participate in our production and everyone believed in Jonathan's message. I might have cried watching this, but I am 100% postive I got chills.
I think the most tragically ironic part of the whole thing is that Larson wrote about all the people he loved who were "living with, living with. living with. NOT DYING from disease" and was killed, himself, by a freak medical anomaly. so many people he cared about were facing their own mortality daily and he got blindsided.
Such brilliance. Mr. Larson does not exactly fit in the category of “What if…” but we would certainly have a plethora of incredible musicals had he lived. R.I.P. Brilliant one.
I'm really happy that Andrew Lloyd Webber got to present the Tony for Best Musical. BUT if Sonheim got to present and Jon was there, would have been even happier (Sonheim was his idol and mentor).
RIP Stephen Sondheim ❤️❤️ Jonathan Larson considered Sondheim a mentor.... and when a young bloke named Lin-Manuel Miranda saw "Rent" for the first time, his world was forever changed. Without Sondheim, we wouldn't have Larson. Without Larson, we wouldn't have Lin-Manuel Miranda. Without the genius mind of those two men, we wouldn't have LMM's love letter to Sondheim, Jonathan Larson, and Broadway with his directorial debut of "Tick, Tick...Boom". The world is a better place because these three men were/are in it (at least I know my life has been ❤️❤️) RIP Stephen Sondheim and Jonathan Larson 💜💜
I just saw the movie for the first time yesterday on Netflix. I find it super awesome that Ms. Menzel and her former co-stars were reunited to preserve their talents for the world to remember forever.
I wasn’t born for this, but RENT changed my life. It’s where I first fell in love with the theatre, it was the first time I saw a drag queen, and it was the first time I felt I had a place
Jonathan Larson never getting to see this is a solidification of the idea the life is not fair. That being said, he left an indelible mark on this world with this musical. So at least there have been multiple casts from this show that have brought and kept his vision alive. NO DAY BUT TODAY!
I see Star Trek stars (Anthony Rapp), Disney Stars (Idina Menzel) and DC TV stars (Jesse L. Martin)... it is funny to watch these young Broadway actors who would join huge film and television franchise actors.
Rent! OMG! I didn't see the play, but the movie was AWESOME! I cried like a baby the first time I saw it! The music, the lyrics, the dancing and the story, resonated really strong with me. All the actors, most of them from the play, are perfect for the roles and characters they played. A extraordinary movie!
It’s amazing how smooth that first RENT cast was. I don’t think there’s been another ensemble cast that sounded that smooth and so well-blended. It’s also good to know that “La Vie Boheme” is supposed to be HAPPY. A few years ago, I saw this horrendous community theater production of RENT where the choreography was kind of ominous and angry. Nobody clapped at the end. Nobody was on Maureen’s side on “Over the Moon.” Whoever directed that version should’ve known they were on the wrong track, right then.
Remember that La Vie Bohème was born because during the first performance of RENT, the cast was performing seated, since Johnathan had passed away that day and they were trying to be respectful, but once they got to La Vie Bohème...they stood up...and gave it everything they had, to celebrate John's life. They couldn't hold it in.
It's such a tragedy that Johnathan Larson never lived to see his masterpiece performed, let alone see how much it would affect people, even 20 years later. Rest in Peace Johnathan Larson
Even sad that he never lived to see how Rent impacted Broadway and see what his cast professionally and personally took from this touching story. Especially the success of Idina Menzel as Elphaba and Elsa.
Manuel Orozco yeah!
He did see it performed. It spent years in workshops.
@@_lithp ye he did see it while in rehearsald but he did not see the impact of his own show
Jonathan *
I feel the world was cheated with Jonathan Larson's sudden passing. I wonder how many more great works he would have bestowed upon us if he was still alive. And to think his death was preventable if diagnosed correctly.
saiberunato At least his other musical Tick Tick Boom is being made to a movie directed by Lin Manual Miranda
amen to that kid...reading your comment 2 years later
@@mickeymouse2able Thank you
it was meant to be like this. sad as it is but he was meant to die tragically like this.... "no today but today" never forget.
The person who should feel "cheated" is the one who wrote A Chorus Line.
The only sad thing about Rent is how its creator, the late Jonathan Larson, died the same day it premiered on Off-Broadway, leaving a great legacy of a musical behind.
Alex McGillvrey He would have mentored the likes of Lin Manual Miranda, Pasek and Paul and many more who went on to carry on the next generation of the American musical.
@@manuelorozco7760 he still did :)
TKvids 13 How so?
@@manuelorozco7760 with pure inspiration
TKvids 13 In spirit yes. Without Rent there would be no In the Heights, Next to Normal, Dear Evan Hansen, Hamilton (which I have yet to see) and many more.
Hearing and seeing the original cast is like a breath of fresh air. Don't get me wrong, every cast since has been extremely talented and brilliant as their characters but just the familiarity of the original is, for lack of a better word, relieving :)
I know this is old but I totally agree, I think some things have to be seen at the time their were released to truly be seen in their whole passion of what was going on in society at the time etc. feel the same about Hair, I wish I could have actually seen that in the 60's
I agree. I just watched one of the newer versions of la vie boheme and it just didnt have the same energy.
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I was high school when Rent came on Broadway. I listened to the double album forwards and backwards. My best friend and I would sing it every part of that musical to each other. Nothing will ever live up to the original, ever!!
I got to see Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal and Gwen Stewart in the national tour they did (I think it was for the 20th anniversary) and even just hearing Adam's voice as Mark starting the show felt so surreal after listening to the CDs of the OST for so many years. I didn't get to see it on Broadway but at least I got to see them together and the energy, rapport and confidence that only comes from originating the characters pretty much "ruined" any other portrayals for me. I still go to see it when it comes through here but that experience will never be topped for me.
Who is watching in 2024 and feels like this show changed their life? 😊
Every time... since 1998 in Hartford....I think
Me.
rent changed my life
Earl Payton
mine too
Earl Payton mine too bro
Earl Payton mine too
Same
God I love that classic awkward Mark Cohen dancing
oh my god, watching this now makes my heart hurt. if only people knew how much this damn musical means to me.
Same here
I know ! It's my favorite !!
emmabearhoran I think this show means a lot to a lot of people. What saddens me is that Jonathan Larson will never know how much joy his work has brought into the world. And maybe not the whole world, but the people that have seen it or listened to it, they know what I'm talking about.
Justin M I, with my whole heart, believe that Jonathan DOES know.
Shelley Maas-Hernandez None of us really know, but it's a comforting thought.
After watching this again, twenty years later, I can't help but think how Jonathan Larson spread so much joy & tears with his work. When Lin-Manuel Miranda so very eloquently spoke at this year's Tony's I thought of him. Love is love is love is... So very many people make these shows happen & I'm so very, very grateful.
I liked Lin's first musical In the Heights and I do hope to see Rent for the first time on it's 20th anniversary tour. For the past few years, I've seen how Rent has impacted Broadway in not just the creation of In the Heights but as well as Wicked, Next to Normal, Billy Elliot, Hairspray, Mamma Mia and Memphis.
Because they were more pop style musicals
boston2lalaland WHAT IF THE CAST OF HAMILTON DID RENT
Hi Leona. I'm not sure why you'd ask, but I believe there are many different folks who would thrive in Rent, as has certainly been proven over the years. Mr. Larson made a show for the ages & I think it'll be interesting to see Rents latest round with new cast/direction/staging/etc. Just as I believe the new cast members of Hamilton are doing Lin Manuel Miranda proud. Hamilton's original cast, as I'd hope & believe those going forward, are people of pipes & artistry. I've always enjoyed witnessing a performance by someone in something outside of their expected genre. In fact, I look for that as that's a gift to enjoy.
boston2lalaland I'm seeing the new 20th anniversary tour tomorrow in Costa Mesa.
Rent has one of the GREATEST legacies a show show has ever had on broadway
His sisters comments are too much for me to handle. he totally did exactly what he wanted, REnt inspired an entire new generation of theatre lovers.
I think Jonathan Larson would have found it so cool that Rent!'s award was given by Andrew Lloyd Weber.
Would have been EPIC to see a Tony passed down from one master of the rock musical to another. 20 years later, Webber would go back to his roots from the 70's with School of Rock.
Actually, Larson was good friends with Stephen Sondheim, who encouraged Larson on from even his earlier work, "Tick, Tick, BOOM!"
100% thought this was nathan lane
Wait nvm hadnt made it to the end yet LOL
He loved JCS I’ve heard
I find it impossible to not cry at this.
+Georgina Leigh Patrick I am bawling now!! How RENT changed EVERYTHING. Do you know what I mean?
Jonathan Larson wrote RENT thinking that he was going to write a musical that was going to speak to a generation.
What he didn't realize was that the generation he was hoping to inspire was already there, they just needed a voice.
Right? My eyes haven't stopped.
Happy 20th anniversary to Rent! Jonathan Larson would have been very proud of the legacy this groundbreaking musical has created over the years.
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If only Jonathan had lived to see just how he had changed people's hearts and the world of Broadway and musical theatre forever.
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20 years later and Idina Menzel still looks the same !
I think that it's awesome that the people in the RENT movie were some of the ones in the play too
+The Klespyrian Basically all of them except for Freddi Walker and Daphne Rubin-Vega.
The movie is just as good as the show itself.
I wonder why those 2 decided not to do the movie.
@@lindseycassella3015 Freddi Walker felt she was too old to reprise her role, as for daphne idk
Daphne was pregnant at the time I believe
I just realized something. You notice that odd, awkward musical transition at 4:40 between "It's creation!" and every shouting "Viva la vie boheme!" I never understood why that was there until tonight. This was June 1996. The cast album wasn't recorded until later that month. In the actual show, there's a pause after the final "La vie boheme!" where Mark delivers a short monologue "The riot continues. The Christmas tree goes up in flames. The snow dances. Oblivious, Roger & Mimi share a small, lovely kiss". As the lights come up on Roger & Mimi kissing, we hear the slow electric guitar slide that on the cast album immediately follows the final "La vie boheme!" and leads into everyone shouting "Viva la vie boheme!" Since this performance predates the cast album by a few weeks, they must not have figured out yet how to transition into that guitar slide without Mark's monologue. Hence the awkward transition.
+RENTnerd87 It looks like some of the chords earlier were also reworked. After the Sisters, brothers part.
Yes, these likely were left out of the tony performance to make it snappy and more of a performance for the tony's, They cut a huge chunk out of la vie boheme, skipping to a later part. It's a medley and they wanted to keep it short and effective
SEH221 yeah it sounded like they changed the key
What I like about Rent is that the actors arent limited when singing nor acting and dancing! When I see shows with more choreography and placement like The Lion King or Pippin etc.. the actors dont put as much emotion because they are limited. Thts why Rent is amazing! Because the actors can add their own style and movements in:)
Ya there is set placement, but they have different moves and can act differently. Wht im trying to get at is these actors and actresses can interpret the part for themselves on how they perceive the characters to be. Ya they have a script but they add their own style. Im just pointing out they have a lil but more freedom than other shows which makes it better
***** When I did Rent, the director basically said, "Do your own thing, I will comment if I want to see something different." That's how I believe most productions of this musical are, however, yes after a while, you do slip into doing things the same way every time. It is nice though to shake it up every once in a while. I changed little things in my performance every time.
Alex Ross What makes you so certain that the actors are improvising their movements? I imagine it was just as choreographed as any other show.
susan payer At a certain point, the actor pretty much has free reign over what they get to do on stage, especially as they become the reason the audience is buying tickets. NPH can adlib as much as he wants and won't get fired because he gets asses in the sets and keeps the doors open and the lights on and the wallets full.
Of course there is a certain extent to which they choreograph songs, but my friend is also in an off Broadway version of rent(which started in June), and she says lots of times they get to improvise. Im pretty sure in a show like rent there is little choreography within it
Imagine if Larson and Miranda had a chance to colobrate....
I think about this ALL THE TIME, honestly! Gah, what could have been with those two incredible talents working together
PlatoSmash Yes either Miranda or Kitt/Yorkey (Next to Normal) or Pasek and Paul (La La Land, Greatest Showman And Dear Evan Hansen)
At least Miranda is helping to create Tick Tick Boom to continue his legacy
@@alicelily3590 Id love to see that.
And Id have to have a box of tissues on hand.
@@alicelily3590 it was amazing! just watched. i'm going to cry
2018, still obsessed with RENT. It may be old but will never be forgotten. Needs more recognition.
Precious Gregory Rent Live is happening January 27th on Fox
Imagine being a kid in 1996 seeing this for the first time. I get chills after Rent has changed Broadway. Imagine watching it at the beginning. How amazing that must have been.
I remember! The highlight of my highschool life.
Lin Manuel Miranda was one of those kids. If it weren't for "RENT" we may not have had "Hamilton".
That was me! My mom, my grandma, and I saw Rent on Broadway w original cast, I was 13. I still remember it, and I have no doubt it changed my life direction. I also remember sitting next to my grandmas during La Vie Boheme and being like omg omg omg the lyrics! I miss her, and maybe didn’t give her enough credit- I still think of what an exceptional and non-judgmental, loving lady she was. Sorry to ramble. ❤
R.I.P The brilliant genius: Jonathan Larson
Zoe Lopez "You have to be dead to know if you're any good". (from Pippin. Original production.)
You can see Julie Larson's sadness that her brother died and that he didn't get to enjoy the success his musical.
No fucking shit man.
This show changed my life forever. Thank you, Jonathan Larson. And to Daphne and Idina who are the reasons why I fell in love with theatre!!!! THANK YOU! :)
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I get literal chills from the end of that Best Muscial acceptance speech. "Thank you Jonathan Larsen..Viva La Vie Boehme!"
19 years later and Taye Diggs looks hotter now than he did then. How is that possible???
+stickstr8up1 Black dont crack, baby.
Jesse L Martin still looks pretty much the same too
I LOVE this musical. I saw it first when I was 12. And as a young queer kid this musical was life saving.
Jasper Hardin EXACTLY! first saw it when i was 10, im now 14 and i still cry everytime. as a bisexual it made me accept myself more to see that there were others like me
Same! I saw it when I was 14. As an adult I'm just now realizing the impact it had on me.
I enjoyed it too but my sexuality wasn't effected as I don't define myself by fringe identity statuses and victim culture.
@@meltedmarshdaddy tf?
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Can't believe I just found this video. Watching the original cast perform this early in the production - it's incredible. I actually teared up. Brings me right back to those years.
This is KARMA - I stumbled on this tonight and I am actually wearing the Tee Shirt we bought the FIRST TIME WE SAW RENT, IN NYC, just 6 months after Jonathan died. I went on to five more performances, still have the original cast recording on my IPod, never bought another shirt, as this one is indestructible‼️🌹I cannot believe that I am wearing it… I just love EVERYTHING that RENT represents, and I found that each cast brought their own life experiences to their work, which made each performance special. I had no idea that Jesse L. Martin could sing- there wasn’t any music in Law and Order. This show is timeless😍😍😍😍
I forgot how young Anthony was. He looks like a fetus.
LMAO... SO. TRUE. I don't think *ANY* of the cast has aged much since '96.
Look at him in the original Adventures in Babysitting - a cutie.
RENT means a lot to me as a Musical Theatre performer!!!
I remember listening to this as a small child not understanding but singing and dancing anyways. Listening to it on Xmas eve and singing along. When the bullies wouldn't let up I'd put the headphones in. I remember seeing the movie the day after it came out. One night with tears in my eye I listened to the music and then with tears still in my eyes coming out to my mom. Thank you Jonathan Larson, for everything.
The voices are so smooth and the harmonies are so tight from the very first note. Amazing.
whats so sad about this is that at the time Johnathan Larson didn't know that Seasons of Love would become the anthem of Broadway
The first showtune i loved out of context
I heard the songs, One Song Glory and Seasons of Love on the radio in the mornings when I was about 20 years old getting ready for work. 2 years earlier my mom told me to either go to college or get a job. I had not clue what I wanted to do for a career so I got a job lol. The music touched me even though I knew nothing about the show. I got tickets and the rest is history. I fell in love and I went back to my life with urgency. I need to get my shit together and be happy! It changed my life. Forget regret or life is yours to miss❤️
Rent is one of those things that got me into musicals and singing in general. 14 years later I have people begging me to sing for them, mostly close friends of course because I don't sing for a lot of people. But I learned to sing from this musical alone. Will forever be an inspiration for me
cant believe im watching this in 2016!
I actually never saw the show before or the movie but I love Seasons of Love.
I am too!
This will always be the cast for me
Beth G.
Same here. I'm an OBC snob :)
shufangina SAMEE
Ugh I would sell my soul to see a full recording of this cast.
I know you said this five years ago, but you should watch the Rent movie. It’s on Netflix. It has most of the original cast except for the person who played Mimi and Joanne I think.
I love Nathan's intro at the begging. Jonathan's lyrics and the original cast is just perfect! These things make this video the best
He lives on through all of us his endearing fan's, family & close friend's. he really did start a revolution in the art's & theater. Cheer's to all fellow fan's we unite in differnces to becoem one.
live on johnthan we love you
OMG Idinas hair!
She looks a little different than she is now but she still is beautiful
It was so fluffy!
This is so 1990s; my heart...
Omg yes 🥺🥺
I wish johnathan was able to see how much rent changed peoples lives and helped so many
Gosh should of just called it Rent Awards that year!!
Jonathan never knew how much people actually cared about the same things he did and he wouldn’t have had to go and write another musical so fast like they always wanted to he would have been able to enjoy the success of rent
Okay but the outfits are so 90s and I love them. I love this whole musical in general
Many, many thanks to the person(s) who edited this and posted it! I was not old enough at the time to have seen this but have since seen RENT twice on stage. This musical has great, inexpressible meaning to so many - it is wonderful to see it honored. Thank you for taking the time to post this!
Her high notes are everything
I saw Gwen Stewart play Maybelle in a production of Hairspray
"Thank you, Jonathan Larson."
-Theater lovers everywhere
I remember going to see this on Broadway. The first time I cried so hard and laughed harder. Best THEATER PLAY I ever seen in my life! I went back several times , but with friends! I needed them to see this for themselves. Amazing , just Amazing... Thanks for sharing this video....
This musical has always been there for me and brings me out of any darkness I find myself in.
Nothing is better than the original I would kill to have it on my phone again its so perfect I tear up Everytime ♡♡♡
IS THAT NATHAN LANE AKA TIMON?!?! HIS VOICE BRINGS SO MANY MEMORIES
For the first time today, I really understood the whole point of the production. Living live to its fullest. The importance of all kinds of love - whether friendship or romance, black or white, sick or healthy, gay or str8. Live&love honestly daily-make connections - be happy.People dont realize the magnitude of the pain for those of us who for reasons cannot have any of that. I think thats why I cried. Not only the loss of Angel but what he represented- the loss of the life I dreamed about
The woman who did the solo in seasons of love played the same part in the final broadway performance
I wanna show this to Jonathan, the genius few people in his generation noticed. Thank him for giving an enormous present in my entire life.
We wouldn’t have Hamilton without Rent; truly a beautiful musical.
And Rent wouldn't be possible without Hair.
I prefer Hamilton over Rent
@@manuelorozco7760 I completely agree.
@@katierowen3166 Thank you. Two theatre sensations during different stages of my life but different stories and styles. Hamilton is more timeless
@@manuelorozco7760 Hamilton is just on a whole other level in its brilliance. I truly thought I would be disappointed when I finally got to see it because of all of the hype but instead it exceeded my expectations.
rent means so much to me as a growing actress, it inspired my creativity, and it made my love for musical theatre even bigger than it was before. the diversity and heartache if this musical brings me to tears. rent will always hold a special, reserved place in my heart. jonathon larson is a brilliant man and will always be remembered as a genius to all of us theatre kids. saying this musical is amazing is an understatement. ❤️
Idina's perm =)
oooh. cool, I didnt know she had curly hair! =)
Jonathan Larson will always be missed. Rent is such a beautiful musical full of life and passion. It shows diversity, hardships, and problems that were common at the time. The characters are relatable and the music captures your heart in a way that brings you to tears. Angel was a wonderful character and the loss of that character is sad. Just like the loss of Jonathan Larson rocked the musical theatre world and devastated many. As it continues to be a prominent loss as long as this musical lives on.
happy birthday rent. I love you more than words can say. thank you thank you THANK you jonathan larson.
Old guy here, so to speak. Saw it in its original form off-b-way b4 the meterotic transfer and before newsweek and the cult of Rent. The next time I saw it was a mere 4 days after this at a Matinee and u would have no idea how AMAZING the energy was in that theater! The riff raff kids who thought they were getting a few months work changed theater history. To say the roof was blown off the Nederlander is an understatement during that performance! Thank you Jonathan for the privilege.
One of my fave musicals ever. I could listen to it and never get tired of the brilliance. You'll never be forgotten Mr. Larson.
I was in a production of rent with my college and when it was over it was the first time I had experienced post show depression
It's so very sad Jonathan Larson never ever got to see his work. I just love RENT and the music so much it affects a lot us now and forever/ Thank You Jonathan for this wonderful gift.
I was 1 year old when Rent made its debut on broadway.. But 17 years later, Rent is still giving me impact of life.. Love you Rent!! And thank you Jonathan Larson.. :)
Rent still impacting u man?
Everytime I hear Seasons of Love it makes me cry and get goosebumps!!! AMAZING...........
My school is lucky enough to perform (the school edition) of RENT. Im so honored to have been chosen to participate in our production and everyone believed in Jonathan's message. I might have cried watching this, but I am 100% postive I got chills.
I think the most tragically ironic part of the whole thing is that Larson wrote about all the people he loved who were "living with, living with. living with. NOT DYING from disease" and was killed, himself, by a freak medical anomaly. so many people he cared about were facing their own mortality daily and he got blindsided.
Fact is stranger than fiction the medical industry fails all sorts of people.
Anyone else cry watching this? Thank you Jonathan Larson xoxo
Such brilliance. Mr. Larson does not exactly fit in the category of “What if…” but we would certainly have a plethora of incredible musicals had he lived. R.I.P. Brilliant one.
He definitely does, imo. Who knows what else he could have created? Could he have been the next Sondheim? We can't know.
I'm really happy that Andrew Lloyd Webber got to present the Tony for Best Musical. BUT if Sonheim got to present and Jon was there, would have been even happier (Sonheim was his idol and mentor).
RIP Stephen Sondheim ❤️❤️
Jonathan Larson considered Sondheim a mentor.... and when a young bloke named Lin-Manuel Miranda saw "Rent" for the first time, his world was forever changed.
Without Sondheim, we wouldn't have Larson. Without Larson, we wouldn't have Lin-Manuel Miranda. Without the genius mind of those two men, we wouldn't have LMM's love letter to Sondheim, Jonathan Larson, and Broadway with his directorial debut of "Tick, Tick...Boom".
The world is a better place because these three men were/are in it (at least I know my life has been ❤️❤️)
RIP Stephen Sondheim and Jonathan Larson 💜💜
And thus, one of the most iconic Broadway songs was born
Olivia Mantero I love Seasons of Love. The first song I heard from this beautiful musical
My favorite musical of all time, and I’ve seen a lot of them.
Being that I only seen the movie from 2005 I was surprised to see a lot of the movie cast
The plan had been to use all original cast but the original Joanne thought she was to old for the part and the original Mimi was pregnant.
ya in the movie they got some of the old actors to play the parts:)
I just saw the movie for the first time yesterday on Netflix. I find it super awesome that Ms. Menzel and her former co-stars were reunited to preserve their talents for the world to remember forever.
KevWebsz Yeah most of the movie cast is from the original
Rent has changed my life for the better, and I'm forever thankful!
I wasn’t born for this, but RENT changed my life. It’s where I first fell in love with the theatre, it was the first time I saw a drag queen, and it was the first time I felt I had a place
Jonathan Larson never getting to see this is a solidification of the idea the life is not fair. That being said, he left an indelible mark on this world with this musical. So at least there have been multiple casts from this show that have brought and kept his vision alive. NO DAY BUT TODAY!
Maureen is my dream role, I swear omg
The fact Jonathan Larson got an award over Rodgers and Hammerstein is truly astonishing and is something he would never have expected.
The best musical ever
I’ve always love RENT! And now having watched Lin-Manuel’s “Tick Tick..Boom” I had to come back. Uuuhhh Rest in power Mr Jonathan Larson ❤️❤️
That's why i am back here too
I see Star Trek stars (Anthony Rapp), Disney Stars (Idina Menzel) and DC TV stars (Jesse L. Martin)... it is funny to watch these young Broadway actors who would join huge film and television franchise actors.
Star Trek Discovery is really good in my opinion. That’s where I first saw Anthony Rapp, then I saw rent and wow he is just a really good actor
Here after watching Tick Tick Boom
IDINA MENZEL!!!!!
ADAM PASCAL!!!!
Tori Lu ANTHONY RAPP!!!!!!TAYE DIGGS!!!!!!
Jesse Martin or as most know...the dude from law and order.
Watching in 2018 and sobbing like a child.
This makes me very sentimental Jonathan Larson you deserve more they valued you very late💔🥺you were great
I've always loved rent now over 20 yrs later they are still doing versions of it
Rent! OMG! I didn't see the play, but the movie was AWESOME! I cried like a baby the first time I saw it! The music, the lyrics, the dancing and the story, resonated really strong with me. All the actors, most of them from the play, are perfect for the roles and characters they played. A extraordinary movie!
Gwen Stewart (lead singer of Season's of Love) and the cast of RENT! So Powerful ❣️
Rent is my favorite musical ever
It’s amazing how smooth that first RENT cast was. I don’t think there’s been another ensemble cast that sounded that smooth and so well-blended.
It’s also good to know that “La Vie Boheme” is supposed to be HAPPY. A few years ago, I saw this horrendous community theater production of RENT where the choreography was kind of ominous and angry. Nobody clapped at the end. Nobody was on Maureen’s side on “Over the Moon.” Whoever directed that version should’ve known they were on the wrong track, right then.
Remember that La Vie Bohème was born because during the first performance of RENT, the cast was performing seated, since Johnathan had passed away that day and they were trying to be respectful, but once they got to La Vie Bohème...they stood up...and gave it everything they had, to celebrate John's life. They couldn't hold it in.
I still find it so trippy that "Mark" is one of the kids from Adventures in Babysitting!
Thank you SO much for posting this. It brought tears...
This music ignites my night with passion and fire
This is my favorite musical and it sucks that I wasn't even alive to see it originally, thanks parents for growing me up on musicals :,)
Idina looks so young! Omg
Wow those guys drank from the fountain of youth. Seeing these actors in “The Flash” , Star Trek: Discovery, Frozen etc. Music does a body good.