Tickets for Rent Now On Sale

OK, so you weren't able to get down to New York to see the final performance of Rent. That doesn't mean you need to be left out in the cold.

As you may know, Sony Pictures filmed a number of recent performances of the show, and compiled them together for theatrical release. The film will play movie theaters nationwide on September 24th, 25th, 27th, and 28th under the auspices of Sony's The Hot Ticket.

Tickets are $20, which isn't bad, considering a regular movie these days is $10, and Broadway shows average about $75 with discounts, about $100 without. Plus, you get to see the terrific Will Chase play Roger and the loud Eden Espinosa play Maureen. Of course, the show is slated to launch another national tour in 2009 with original stars Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp at the helm, so you could just wait to see it live. But something tells me there's going to be something special about the energy of the final Broadway cast. And we could certainly use something to erase the painful memory of Chris Columbus's flaccid 2005 movie.

Flawed though it may be, Rent is a landmark show, and one that had a tremendous impact on me, as well as many other people. I, for one, am thrilled at the prospect of being able to see the show again "live," and I hope this sort of thing catches on, so more people can get to see Broadway productions in far-flung areas and at affordable prices.

Comments

[Justin]

Not to thread jack you, however i noticed you are attending All My Sons the same day I am. I'll be at the 2pm.

[Keith Gow]

So with the final performance filmed, what's the likelihood of it being released on DVD?

[chris caggiano]

Keith: Not sure about this one. On the one hand, it makes sense. If they have the film in the can, they might as well generate the incremental revenue from a DVD release. On the other hand, Broadway producers are notoriously leery of releasing shows on DVD. It makes revivals less attractive.

So we'll see. I'd certainly be in favor of a DVD release.

[Keith Gow]

I always thought they were leery about it, because they worried about ticket sales for the current incarnations... but they are already worried about revivals? Heh, I get it, but it's terrible that some of these things will never get seen once they leave the stage.

[Margo]

So, so glad that you posted this. With the hurricane interrupting my life, I'd totally forgotten about this. Definitely going to go to a Saturday show, so that I can see it again on Sunday. I completely agree with you that I wish more shows were filmed and shown so more people can experience them.