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Summary: A must have for fans of the show and theatre history.
Review: It is the stuff theatre legends are made of: a struggling composer writes and rewrites a show for years, living on a shoestring in New York City, waiting for the break that will mean his music will be heard around the world. Then, tragically, as his show is about to open off-Broadway, he is struck by an aneuryism and dies. His show goes on to huge acclaim, winning Tony Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, and making stars of its actors.
A fictional tale? No. This is the story of the musical "RENT" and its composer Jonathan Larson, who died before he could see the awards his show won or enjoy the fame it brought him.
The authors of this book have tried, and succeeded, to make the celebratory book of "RENT" different from any other theatre book. Framing the full libretto (complete with an incredible series of pictures taken during the run of an evening's performance) is the life history of Jonathan Larson and his music, told in the words of his family, friends, and colleagues, ranging from his parents to the cast members to Stephen Sondheim. At the end of the book are pages of bios and pictures of the actors from the original Broadway cast, with comments in their own words about what the show and Jonathan have meant to them.
This is at the very least an interesting pictorial and written history of the show that critics have said revitalized Broadway. But for a true fan of the show or of musical theatre, this book is a joyous celebration of a dream that became reality too late for its dreamer but just in time for those who had given up on the great American musical. It is funny, entertaining, sobering, and touching at times, and will not fail to affect any reader with the honest picture it paints
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Summary: A must for all RentHeads
Review: When I first discovered RENT, I heard that all RentHeads have "The Bible", which is this book. I bought it, and it took me into a world of RENT, and also the sad story of Jonathan Larson.In the contents of this book, there are interviews with Jonathan Larson's friends and family, and also the original Broadway cast. Also, in this incredible book, lies the RENT libretto, along with pictures to go along with each song. I learned so much from this book, and so would anyone who wanted to learn about RENT. This is a must for all RentHeads!!
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Summary: Rent-EASY PIANO
Review: I love Rent the musical and have also fiddled around with introduction the Seasons of love ironically enough. This book really helped me get to grips with the musical. i was really happy to be able to play some of my favourite musical songs on the piano for myself.
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Summary: A Must-Have for Any Theater Fan
Review: This is the greatest theater book I have encountered. This book is a must-have for any fan of Rent, or the theater, or anybody! It is filled with pictures and information documenting the creation of Rent from the start of Jonathan Larson's life until its Broadway debut. It also includes the entire liberetto and pictures of the original Broadway cast performing. You feel like you were involved in the production of the play as you are reading it. You have the opportunity to read comments from everybody involved in the production and see from behind the scenes the long haul that Rent made from a simple idea to the best play on Broadway.
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Summary: How can anyone not own this CD?
Review: I simply loved Larson's RENT since I had gotten the CD. As a Renthead, I HAD to have this book. With fun candid photos of the original cast and an eyepoping layout, I absolutely love it. However, my only problem is that it is very hard and heavy to carry. However, It is a FANTASTIC book and well worth getting. A real treasure for the ultamate Renthead!
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