Holy moly, I didn't realize this had close to 20,000 views! I'm so glad it's brought enjoyment to so many. Back in the day I slept out on the street for front row seats and met some of the original cast outside afterwards. What a special thing Rent was to so many.
Amazing footage. Thank you!! I remember on a high school choir trip to NYC (‘03) the option of seeing Rent on Broadway. Like the idiot kid I was, I chose Thoroughly Modern Millie/Hairspray/something else instead. The Chris Columbus movie came out my first semester of college and even where it’s denuded, it just blew me away. Got ahold of the original soundtrack after and what a stunner. Raw, singleminded, and unafraid. Finally got to see Rent off-Broadway, and that much was exhilarating. But if I could turn back time . . . Best musical I never expected to love. Thank you again!!
I was at the 2nd or 3rd performance - can't quite remember, but it was the 2nd or 3rd, so the original cast, etc. It was pretty exciting and everyone knew it was pretty special at the time.
I saw the original cast as a kid. It was so moving and I feel so lucky. I later saw Hamilton which means I saw Leslie Odom Jr. in both his major originating roles-though I didn’t make that connection til later. The Hamilton phenomenon felt so similar to the way Rent phenomenon felt, only with rent I was a little too young to really be a part of it. That’s why it felt so right that Lin-Manuel Miranda went on to play Jonathan Larson in Tick Tick Boom.
I started watching it last night. I'm about halfway through. I don't know if I want to watch the rest, knowing how it ends. A few weeks ago I saw the final tour production; it still hits me like it did when I was a college freshman seeing it for the first time.
Yeah I had no idea how inspired he was by his everyday life in New York. He was kinda like Mark and Roger struggling to make it as an artist and trying to finish his piece. I hope he can how much his work impacted the world.
The fact that this piece of Broadway history *even exists* is a minor miracle. Thank god it was uploaded to the internet…that means it’ll basically never become lost. Unless, you know…a carrington level solar flare hits earth and destroys the entirety of our digital existence. At which point, my first reaction will probably be “Noooooooo! Opening night Rent is gone : (“ followed by financial ruin and the end of western civilization, blah blah blah…
Despite the low quality (in some ways its actually perfect to see Rent on a lowquality VHS recording) this is how one can truly capture what made RENT so special. It really is a grungy, gritty downtown pop/rock/opera show through the lens of a musical for the 90s. It was of the moment and completley new compared to the landscape of musical theatre at the time. Theres something mysterious, ethereal and strange about the whole affair that is just missing out of future adaptions (even though they are all great!)Thank you for this.
I love how the VHS tape of this performance and the way how it is makes this more accurate in the way that this is a new musical that no one ever heard of before and how Jonathan was trying to bring Broadway into the 90’s with the modern way of how music was along with music that people would watch on MTV, the type of people that probably thought Broadway was for older people or for nerds etc. But, Jonathan changed people’s minds and it was amazing in the way he can do it. It’s funny how this video is low quality, there is actually a higher quality clip from this exact performance of the song “Take Me or Leave Me”. It is likely low quality because this was probably traded out back in the day but, the only way you could share was to copy a tape onto another. There wasn’t such a thing as converting a tape into DVD until it became more popular like 2004 or 2005.
Not to mention, the emotions just all feel so REAL. Especially the anger, the fights. & there is no attempt by any of the cast to be “perfect” like you see in EVERY modern musical.
Lo que hace especial a Rent es que viéndolo en varios países, con años de diferencia, muchas veces, cuando al final aparece Ángel, la gente se pone en pie y aplaude emocionada. Bueno, eso y muchas más cosas.
@@Sangsstuff i looove her too!! The thing is Rosario sounds a bit too "perfect" (love her vocals), but Daphne actually sounds closer to what that character would realistically sound like .. making the overall effect even more impactful. I'm totally immersed. (Both rock, anyway!)
@Sangsstuff I think Rosario is such a seasoned and amazing actress that she will always be better with regards to the acting, also film is a completely different experience than a musical. With that said, I feel like the way Daphne is so unpolished and raw lends better to the character of a 19 year old girl. Rosario is the only other actors who has ever been able to pull off Mimi to me, so she is my second.
Today is my 26th birthday. I was a little over half a year old when this show opened on Broadway. This show saved my life when I discovered it 12 years ago, when I was 14. I was in the closet. In fact, I didn't even know I was until I saw this show. It made me realize I was gay. I was highly suicidal and self harming and this show got me through so much. I decided to audition for a community theatre production when I was 16 and prayed and prayed I got a callback and I did, and then prayed and prayed I got cast and I did but I ended up in the psych ward during rehearsals. I was terrified they'd kick me out of the show. They didn't. I was my life goal to be in RENT before I died, and it was what kept me going. I just have no words. Every time I hear it, see it. No words. All I can think of is thank you, Jonathon Larson. You saved my life. RENT saved my life.
man if jonathon larson was alive today so he could see the effect his play had on not only the theatre community but people. and imagine what else he could have made with more time
Oh, love. This breaks my heart and makes it soar. I don't think Larson knew - or could have predicted - how important this play would become to so many people, and in so many different ways. Keep on, friend. Let it keep you going. The world needs you. I have no doubt of the incredible passion you put into your performances because of what it meant to you. Because of that, what RENT did for you, you have done for others. You are loved.
This is amazing. People can barely find good footage, and while this is scratchy, I can actually hear what there saying. I’m still trying to find good quality footage, but the footage is considered lost.
The NY public library lets students view pro shot Broadway shows (the worlds largest archive). There you can view in private a full professionally filmed 1996 performance by the OBC.
Was just cast as Collins and I couldn't be more excited to take up the mantle and honor that was originated by Jesse L. Martin. Its been a dream role of mine for years and so excited to step into his boots!
I also just got casted as Collin’s in our production of this show and to find out he was Collin’s filled me with so much inspiration because I loved watching him in the flash and I’m excited to also take up this mantel
Roger looks so young in this. It breaks my heart knowing what the characters were facing. You don't really grasp the dire situation the characters are in until you are older.
It’s amazing to come across this historical gem. These days, we are so spoiled with so many high quality media versions, of whatever particular event. Without knowing it, this person had the wisdom to preserve history for the rest if us to relive.
@@christophersalinas2328 our production went well, it was the most fun I have in a show! Just love and live your character on stage and don’t be afraid to tell the beautiful story that rent is. You will be a fantastic Benny! Good luck!!
11:11 will always be my favorite part. I can't even imagine what would be going through my mind, alone on stage on opening night, doing a solo like this. He just absolutely owns the song and the stage though, and I f'ing love it!
I'm glad they got most of the original cast members for the movie. At the very least, Adam Pascal is irreplacble, not to mention Anthony Rapp and Idina Menzel
While I agree they're iconic, i do find it weird how they'd do a movie essentially about youth while being 10 years older than when they first played them
@@ryanfaure3120 i would disagree just because the original cast worked directly with Jonathan Larsen before he died. Performing this show became very personal for a lot of the original cast and a way to mourn Jonathan bc they never got the opportunity by being thrust into fame as soon as he died
I love, love, love Anthony Rapp (he will always be my Mark), and I really appreciate Idina Menzel's immense talent, but I have definitely seen other performers play Mark and Maureen really well. Adam Pascal on the other hand, is the only performer I have seen who has manage not just to have the acting chops but also the vocal capability to play Roger. That balance between angry and sad is a hard line to walk without leaning to hard into the anger. He also, is just an amazing vocalist, his voice soars (I am usually most disappointed in the vocals of the other performers who I have seen play Roger).
Can anyone else sing literally every single word for 2 whole hours ? Not to mention that it’s all from memory I learned over 20 years ago at the age of 12! Gawd I love this show
Every single one! ❤️. Just watched tick tick boom and all my memories surrounding this show came flooding back. Been listening to the original cast recording all day and singing along.
I hope I never reach a point in my life where I forget feeling the things so many of these characters felt. I found Rent while in uni and consequently my most poverty stricken years. Food banks, free or I can't go activities, running through bitting winds and rain to make it to a dead end job, bills and constantly worries about money. Rent gave me faith, hope that being at the bottom didn't mean you were nothing.
Thank you for this. My son just finished 3 weekends of playing Roger and the cast & production were incredible. They added extra shows because they sold out after opening night. Just as relevant today as it was then.
For everyone who's wondering if this is really the opening night, it's not. This video is from April 19, 1996. Opening night was on April 29. It's from one of the previews, but gets mislabeled as opening night very often.
@@kby5445 opening night was the day after Jonathan Larson died. They original were just sitting at a table singing but as the night went on they decided to go full on with it.
Jesse L Martin's "when your heart has expired" in I'll Cover You Reprise gives me chills every time. I was never able to see the show on broadway and always wanted to see the OBC performance, so thank you very much for posting this (& the time stamps). ❤️
Same here. I actually met Jesse L. Martin way back when I was in high school. I still remember the masterclass he did. I went to the same high school as him.
I was balling my eyes out in the theater. Literally. We were in the first row mezzanine and the theater is small. I didn't know the story and when angel died the tears started and by the time Jesse was singing he had tears streaming down his face and people was balling in the theater. I'm not ashamed to say I was one of them.
Because he's a good rock singer but he's not a good Broadway singer. I worked with him on Broadway in Aida. There are three notes toward the very end of Enchantment Passing Through ("a woman who I hardly know at all and WILL FORGET") that he could never hit. Show after show he cracked on all three notes. It became a running gag to bet the newbies whether or not he'd hit the note their first show. Only lost that bet once on a random Wednesday matinee. Only time in my year there that he hit it.
@@chibiusa4072 that's interesting considering he has such a high belt. Especially now when he sings glory he belts the long note higher. His voice has grown stronger over time. He was amazing in Chess
@@jordoncarnegie1206 To be fair, I believe he had been out for a while with back surgery if I remember correctly, and Will Chase stepped in for him. So it may have been rust on the pipes. But it happened 8 shows a week, every week.
this footage is amazing!! the sound is amazing! and although the camera quality isn't the best, its what you'd expect from a 90's small camera, in a mostly dark theater, amazing and rare!
This is so freaking awesome!! I would say on my top ten list of places and spaces I wish I could be transported to, opening night of RENT 1995 would be on my list. Thanks for almost providing that for me.
Thanks for posting. I saw the OBC in July of 1996, having no clue what I was walking into except for the performance on the Tony's. I was blown away by the emotion of the show. It was so new they didn't even have souvenir programs yet though I still have the No Day But Today shirt I bought and the Playbill. I'm glad the show lives on and has a kind of cult following, but I miss the days when people didn't start screaming before Angel's grand entrance, they didn't clap and sing along with Seasons of Love, and before the American Idol influence of screaming and clapping every time someone hits a high note became popular. It was truly a gift this cast gave the audience, especially since I saw the show only 6 months after Jonathan's death.
This was a Christmasm miracle to find. I've been searching for an original cast recording for years. The final Broadway Production and movie are just not the same. ❤🖤❤️🖤. Thanks.
This may be low quality VHS footage but it was really cool getting to see the original cast in action! Rent is my favorite musical and this allowed me to experience that original production. Thank you for uploading this!
THANK YOU 💜 . I’m the ultimate Rent-head and have always been dying to see the OBC. I used to collect bootleg VHS recordings in the early 2000s but was never able to track this one down. Bless UA-cam!! Jesse L Martin’s voice is sublime, love seeing how much Fredi Walker improvised / was a bit goofy, ofc the cutest cutie Anthony Rapp is a joy to watch and I’m living for his earnest hand gestures. But “the power blows” will always be my fav part of the show, has always given me goosebumps. Thank you dear poster, you are an angel!!
As much flack as Rent gets about being "outdated" etc, it really is perfect for what it is, it's time and place. There really is nothing like the original staged production. I'm sad for people who can't appreciate it.
*RENT Original Broadway Cast* *1996* Anthony Rapp.........Mark Cohen Adam Pascal.........Roger Davis Daphne Rubin Vega.........Mimi Marquez Jesse L. Martin.........Tom Collins Wilson Jermaine Heredia...Angel Dumott Schunard Idina Menzel.........Maureen Johnson Fredi Walker.........Joanne Jefferson Taye Diggs.........Benjamin Coffin III
I loved this! I got to see the original cast. They were just WONDERFUL. I've seen a million shows now, but that night will forever be in my top 5 of all time. Thanks so much for posting this!!
Oh my god, Daphne's Out Tonight is IN CRE DI BLLLLLE. That voice control, that power, OMG. I don't think anybody else from the officially filmed versions topped that, neither in 2005, nor in 2008, nor in 2019
I was to young when Rent originally came out. (I was about 8 then) My first time seeing it was the movie in 2005 and I’ve loved it ever since… I loved Rent on Fox and I’m just thrilled I found this footage of the original… this musical is timeless and I love it.
THe seasons of love soloist said her first time hitting the high c was this performance and you can see Idena react a little when she hits it idina smiles more
I wish I was old enough to see Rent Live on Broadway. I tried watching 2008 version. However, I just couldn't nothing will ever beat the original cast. Is it crazy I watch this video everyday? I love Jesse Martin. I actually went to the same high-school as him.
1:16:03 - From time to time I tell my musical theater students that if you can command an audience with your back turned you got something special going on. I rest my case with Sir Anthony Rapp. I was fortunate enough to see him in “Rent” twice. Early in the run and just about a year later. I still haven’t recovered!
The tape may look pretty bad in spots (hey, it's VHS, it don't age too well. ;) ), but I'm so glad there is some sort of record of the opening night of Rent. Amazing.
This is amazing. I've only ever seen modern versions and they just always felt so...off...Like they should have been good but they weren't. I think this is something that really had to be seen at the time to be truly appreciated
@@jordanschooley7836 Agreed…that cast and recording is top tier. I’ve seen others as well…including the cast that rolled through Boston when I first saw this show back in the day. I’m not sure OP has seen that many versions of this.
I’m in a production and I’m hoping our cast recaptures this level of emotion and realness. It’s so great this is on UA-cam. To hear honest reactions to songs, punchlines etc for the first time
Wow! This is fantastic! You are so lucky that you got to see the original cast of Rent. Plus you met some of the cast members…😲. I’m so jealous of you. Thanks for sharing this video. You’re too kind to us Rent fans.
I love rent to death. It’s my favorite musical. But the one thing I have never liked, it’s Angel coming out at the end in street clothes. To sing the last line of the musical. Every production does it. Yes, if Angel came out in full costume, it could be considered confusing, because she died. But street clothes seems like such a 4th wall break, right at the end. And in every production of Rent I have gone and seen, it always takes the crowed a half second to realize it’s Angel. If she came out in her Santa outfit, but in all white, or something, I don’t feel like it would be as jarring as it is.
@@3rdeyegoogly Exactly! what would even help is if the person who plays Angel, walks over to Collins and stand next to him and hold his hand, or something. Not just sit in a random location with the cast
@@mannyoftheeast3318 I know it’s symbolic. But because every production has done it, and it has become a required element in any production, no one questions it. But like people should. yes, RENT has been around for 25 years, but there are still people out there who have never heard of RENT, and might go see it for their first time at their Local Community Theatre, and for those people, there is so many little weird things that every director that puts on RENT does “because it’s just traditional” that, if you look at it from an outside POV. Make no sense in a directorial way
That time y'all said that Jonathan Larson died on that same day of your live show...., well, he may not be able to make it watching you all but he was really happy up there.... very proud!
This is really the opening night? Wow. I have mixed feelings about rent but it is undeniably a significant show that had a long lasting impact. Its amazing to see this record of its first ever show. I knew bootlegs existed with the original cast, but to be the opening night show is so cool.
I read that on opening night they did a sing through of the musical in honor of Jonathan who died the day prior. So I believe this is not the opening night.
My gosh their voices, so powerful, emotional... Love them. Later cast have dancers, more people, crazy effects but so poor voices... Its nice to know original cast are the best 😅❤️
TY!!! I was there at the opening! My friend was a dresser during the NY theatre workshop run so saw it there. Saw it a few times on Bway including opening night at the Neederlander.t THE.BEST.SHOW. EVER. THE. BEST. CAST. EVER. RIP Jonathan!
I’m 15 and I’ve always loved musicals. Didn’t know much about what’s currently on Broadway at any given time- my ma is taking me to NYC to see a Broadway show for my 16th- I was kinda bummed when I realized Rent was no longer on Broadway so I came here! Thanks for preserving such an amazing show on opening night!
The actual opening night I have never seen that video. You can tell this is not it because the cast performed seated until they just couldn't and started dancing at LVB. The rest of that special show was done fully blocked. I wonder if someone has footage there just has to be . But maybe it is too personal to the cast. I'm lucky enough to have a soundboard from the Workshop production ..full dialogue and all ..nope I'll never tell! Thanks to that person 4 ever. I have never copied it or shared it because I was asked all those years ago not to. Now I don't even own a cassette player. Lol. But they are treasured. Gold has stayed
You can tell this is the original tape because the other one on UA-cam starts during when Mark is introducing the show and this video starts at the beginning and the other video doesn’t have a lot of saturation color and this one does.
Jonathan died the night before their opening OFF broadway. If this vhs is opening night, it was opening night on broadway. I don’t know the exact dates but they weren’t right after each other
@@TheGameCenter I'm pretty sure it started out as a sing through and then half way through everyone just nonverbally agreed that they needed to do the show like it was meant to be done, I honestly wish there was footage of it. Oh and I'm almost certain it was a preview and not opening night. But ur right this is not that performance
this is literally invaluable. never let this disappear.
Holy moly, I didn't realize this had close to 20,000 views! I'm so glad it's brought enjoyment to so many. Back in the day I slept out on the street for front row seats and met some of the original cast outside afterwards. What a special thing Rent was to so many.
Amazing footage. Thank you!! I remember on a high school choir trip to NYC (‘03) the option of seeing Rent on Broadway. Like the idiot kid I was, I chose Thoroughly Modern Millie/Hairspray/something else instead. The Chris Columbus movie came out my first semester of college and even where it’s denuded, it just blew me away. Got ahold of the original soundtrack after and what a stunner. Raw, singleminded, and unafraid. Finally got to see Rent off-Broadway, and that much was exhilarating. But if I could turn back time . . . Best musical I never expected to love.
Thank you again!!
I'm just finding this and it is so amazing. So little footage of this exists anymore. Thank you for sharing. 🖤🖤
I can't believe it doesn't have way more!
wdym It's 67K already XD
thanks for this footage
You are a legend for uploading this.
This audience i’m so jealous of. Man, could they have imagined the masterpiece of this show would have ended up becoming?
I was at the 2nd or 3rd performance - can't quite remember, but it was the 2nd or 3rd, so the original cast, etc. It was pretty exciting and everyone knew it was pretty special at the time.
@@redadamearth OH MY GOSH NO WAY!!!!! i love it!!!!
I didn't see it opening night.. but I HAVE seen it on Broadway with OG cast 🤗
First musical I seen live and it STOLE my heart ❤️😊
I saw the original cast as a kid. It was so moving and I feel so lucky. I later saw Hamilton which means I saw Leslie Odom Jr. in both his major originating roles-though I didn’t make that connection til later. The Hamilton phenomenon felt so similar to the way Rent phenomenon felt, only with rent I was a little too young to really be a part of it. That’s why it felt so right that Lin-Manuel Miranda went on to play Jonathan Larson in Tick Tick Boom.
I just found out a few months ago my wife went for a trip in high school when she was 17 which would have been within a few weeks of the show opening!
Just watched Tick, Tick..Boom and then had to come here. Such a timeless masterpiece.
I started watching it last night. I'm about halfway through. I don't know if I want to watch the rest, knowing how it ends. A few weeks ago I saw the final tour production; it still hits me like it did when I was a college freshman seeing it for the first time.
Same
Same!! I already watched the movie and the Fox special, this is the next one on my list. I got a little obsessed with Rent 😂😂
Yeah I had no idea how inspired he was by his everyday life in New York. He was kinda like Mark and Roger struggling to make it as an artist and trying to finish his piece. I hope he can how much his work impacted the world.
@@nexenzy5825 exactly 🙏🏽
Never ever delete this. A masterpiece. A tragedy the creator cannot see the final output.
The fact that this piece of Broadway history *even exists* is a minor miracle. Thank god it was uploaded to the internet…that means it’ll basically never become lost. Unless, you know…a carrington level solar flare hits earth and destroys the entirety of our digital existence. At which point, my first reaction will probably be “Noooooooo! Opening night Rent is gone : (“ followed by financial ruin and the end of western civilization, blah blah blah…
Despite the low quality (in some ways its actually perfect to see Rent on a lowquality VHS recording) this is how one can truly capture what made RENT so special. It really is a grungy, gritty downtown pop/rock/opera show through the lens of a musical for the 90s. It was of the moment and completley new compared to the landscape of musical theatre at the time. Theres something mysterious, ethereal and strange about the whole affair that is just missing out of future adaptions (even though they are all great!)Thank you for this.
I love how the VHS tape of this performance and the way how it is makes this more accurate in the way that this is a new musical that no one ever heard of before and how Jonathan was trying to bring Broadway into the 90’s with the modern way of how music was along with music that people would watch on MTV, the type of people that probably thought Broadway was for older people or for nerds etc. But, Jonathan changed people’s minds and it was amazing in the way he can do it.
It’s funny how this video is low quality, there is actually a higher quality clip from this exact performance of the song “Take Me or Leave Me”. It is likely low quality because this was probably traded out back in the day but, the only way you could share was to copy a tape onto another. There wasn’t such a thing as converting a tape into DVD until it became more popular like 2004 or 2005.
It does, it does. Like how this audience we felt like we were let in on something new and exciting.
Not to mention, the emotions just all feel so REAL. Especially the anger, the fights. & there is no attempt by any of the cast to be “perfect” like you see in EVERY modern musical.
Lo que hace especial a Rent es que viéndolo en varios países, con años de diferencia, muchas veces, cuando al final aparece Ángel, la gente se pone en pie y aplaude emocionada. Bueno, eso y muchas más cosas.
At the time, it was more relatable than most of the stuff out there. It was amazing to see it live.
Daphne IS Mimi. There is no other way... The energy, the tone of her voice, the moves... The magic!
I love the intentional clunkiness, as MiMi is a 19 year old addict. Her not always being smooth is APPROPRIATE to the character!
Rosario Dawson fan all the way. Sorry. Daphne is good too, but Dawson is the best version.
@@Sangsstuff i looove her too!! The thing is Rosario sounds a bit too "perfect" (love her vocals), but Daphne actually sounds closer to what that character would realistically sound like .. making the overall effect even more impactful. I'm totally immersed. (Both rock, anyway!)
its so true. I've seen quite a few others but nobody captures Mimi the way she did.
@Sangsstuff I think Rosario is such a seasoned and amazing actress that she will always be better with regards to the acting, also film is a completely different experience than a musical. With that said, I feel like the way Daphne is so unpolished and raw lends better to the character of a 19 year old girl. Rosario is the only other actors who has ever been able to pull off Mimi to me, so she is my second.
Today is my 26th birthday. I was a little over half a year old when this show opened on Broadway. This show saved my life when I discovered it 12 years ago, when I was 14. I was in the closet. In fact, I didn't even know I was until I saw this show. It made me realize I was gay. I was highly suicidal and self harming and this show got me through so much. I decided to audition for a community theatre production when I was 16 and prayed and prayed I got a callback and I did, and then prayed and prayed I got cast and I did but I ended up in the psych ward during rehearsals. I was terrified they'd kick me out of the show. They didn't. I was my life goal to be in RENT before I died, and it was what kept me going.
I just have no words. Every time I hear it, see it. No words.
All I can think of is thank you, Jonathon Larson.
You saved my life.
RENT saved my life.
Who were you cast as
man if jonathon larson was alive today so he could see the effect his play had on not only the theatre community but people. and imagine what else he could have made with more time
Oh, love. This breaks my heart and makes it soar. I don't think Larson knew - or could have predicted - how important this play would become to so many people, and in so many different ways.
Keep on, friend. Let it keep you going. The world needs you. I have no doubt of the incredible passion you put into your performances because of what it meant to you. Because of that, what RENT did for you, you have done for others. You are loved.
This is amazing. People can barely find good footage, and while this is scratchy, I can actually hear what there saying. I’m still trying to find good quality footage, but the footage is considered lost.
The NY public library lets students view pro shot Broadway shows (the worlds largest archive). There you can view in private a full professionally filmed 1996 performance by the OBC.
@@merrillmind I looked it up and they have 1996 and 10th anniversary but it's "Restricted to qualified researchers."
plasticpictureframe but why....
The fact I still really enjoy this in spite of the disgusting quality, shows how good this show must have been in it's prime
@@plasticpictureframe That sucks so bad
Was just cast as Collins and I couldn't be more excited to take up the mantle and honor that was originated by Jesse L. Martin. Its been a dream role of mine for years and so excited to step into his boots!
I hope you and your cast mates had a blast, and it was everything you wanted it to be.❤
I also just got casted as Collin’s in our production of this show and to find out he was Collin’s filled me with so much inspiration because I loved watching him in the flash and I’m excited to also take up this mantel
Thank you for breaking the law so we could go back in time
Roger looks so young in this. It breaks my heart knowing what the characters were facing. You don't really grasp the dire situation the characters are in until you are older.
It’s amazing to come across this historical gem. These days, we are so spoiled with so many high quality media versions, of whatever particular event. Without knowing it, this person had the wisdom to preserve history for the rest if us to relive.
I got casted as Mimi for our 2022 production of RENT, and watching this gives me the inspiration to do the best I can to put on one hell of a show!
How did/is your production going? I’m cast as Benny and now I’m going down the rabbit hole.
@@christophersalinas2328 our production went well, it was the most fun I have in a show! Just love and live your character on stage and don’t be afraid to tell the beautiful story that rent is. You will be a fantastic Benny! Good luck!!
If I had to try out for the part of Benny
11:11 will always be my favorite part. I can't even imagine what would be going through my mind, alone on stage on opening night, doing a solo like this. He just absolutely owns the song and the stage though, and I f'ing love it!
Same here!
His voice is so powerful and unique (they all are)
I'm glad they got most of the original cast members for the movie. At the very least, Adam Pascal is irreplacble, not to mention Anthony Rapp and Idina Menzel
While I agree they're iconic, i do find it weird how they'd do a movie essentially about youth while being 10 years older than when they first played them
@@ryanfaure3120 i would disagree just because the original cast worked directly with Jonathan Larsen before he died. Performing this show became very personal for a lot of the original cast and a way to mourn Jonathan bc they never got the opportunity by being thrust into fame as soon as he died
Also I definitely wouldn’t consider this a story about youth haha I would say it’s a story about drug abuse, loss, and love
Original Mimi (Daphne) was also irreplaceable but Rosario Dawson did a great job
I love, love, love Anthony Rapp (he will always be my Mark), and I really appreciate Idina Menzel's immense talent, but I have definitely seen other performers play Mark and Maureen really well.
Adam Pascal on the other hand, is the only performer I have seen who has manage not just to have the acting chops but also the vocal capability to play Roger. That balance between angry and sad is a hard line to walk without leaning to hard into the anger. He also, is just an amazing vocalist, his voice soars (I am usually most disappointed in the vocals of the other performers who I have seen play Roger).
Even with the blurry footage, you can tell how young everyone looks!!
This version of one song glory hits my heart so hard, can’t compare to any other version out there
mark looks like he's about to find some blues clues
Lmao. ♡
Can anyone else sing literally every single word for 2 whole hours ? Not to mention that it’s all from memory I learned over 20 years ago at the age of 12! Gawd I love this show
Every single word.
Every single one! ❤️. Just watched tick tick boom and all my memories surrounding this show came flooding back. Been listening to the original cast recording all day and singing along.
Same ♥️
I Can and never get tired of singing it!!!!
Every single goddamn word
God this is just so good, has an energy that none of the others casts, movies or revivals have captured since then
anyone else ever think about how rent was his "one song glory"?
He embodied his message. It is Shakespearean
I was balling…..I understand it right away
Tick tick boom: **exists**
Superbia: **also exists, almost**
I love the audience’s reaction to the “Evita” joke at the beginning of La Vie Bohem. They somehow made the joke more funny than it already was
I hope I never reach a point in my life where I forget feeling the things so many of these characters felt. I found Rent while in uni and consequently my most poverty stricken years. Food banks, free or I can't go activities, running through bitting winds and rain to make it to a dead end job, bills and constantly worries about money. Rent gave me faith, hope that being at the bottom didn't mean you were nothing.
Oh my goodness. “Being at the bottom didn’t mean you were nothing.” Chills 💗
God. I just adore Adam Pascal... his voice is magic to me.
AHHH ITS 1996 AND IT'S STILL GREAT FOOTAGE
What I wouldn't give to be in that room. Thank you so much for sharing this.
Thank you for this. My son just finished 3 weekends of playing Roger and the cast & production were incredible. They added extra shows because they sold out after opening night. Just as relevant today as it was then.
playing roger in 2 weeks! helluva role, congrats!
For everyone who's wondering if this is really the opening night, it's not. This video is from April 19, 1996. Opening night was on April 29. It's from one of the previews, but gets mislabeled as opening night very often.
How do you know this?
Oh wow it was 25 years ago last night
April 29 1992
@@kby5445 opening night was the day after Jonathan Larson died. They original were just sitting at a table singing but as the night went on they decided to go full on with it.
@@darth_kal-el That was the first preview in the East Village, this is the following year on Broadway.
I was introduced to Rent via the movie recreation as a child. I feel so honored and grateful as an adult to discover the original thanks to you
Truly a groundbreaking moment in the history of theater. I love hearing the audience react as they see all this for the first time.
I think Rent should be brought back for sure, such an important message in it overall ❤️
Jesse L Martin's "when your heart has expired" in I'll Cover You Reprise gives me chills every time. I was never able to see the show on broadway and always wanted to see the OBC performance, so thank you very much for posting this (& the time stamps). ❤️
Same here. I actually met Jesse L. Martin way back when I was in high school. I still remember the masterclass he did. I went to the same high school as him.
I was balling my eyes out in the theater. Literally. We were in the first row mezzanine and the theater is small. I didn't know the story and when angel died the tears started and by the time Jesse was singing he had tears streaming down his face and people was balling in the theater. I'm not ashamed to say I was one of them.
Adam Pascal's voice my god, it blows my mind he didn't blow up like the other cast members...
He got be part of the School of Rock movie. That is something cool.
Because he's a good rock singer but he's not a good Broadway singer. I worked with him on Broadway in Aida. There are three notes toward the very end of Enchantment Passing Through ("a woman who I hardly know at all and WILL FORGET") that he could never hit. Show after show he cracked on all three notes. It became a running gag to bet the newbies whether or not he'd hit the note their first show. Only lost that bet once on a random Wednesday matinee. Only time in my year there that he hit it.
@@chibiusa4072 that's interesting considering he has such a high belt. Especially now when he sings glory he belts the long note higher. His voice has grown stronger over time. He was amazing in Chess
@@jordoncarnegie1206 To be fair, I believe he had been out for a while with back surgery if I remember correctly, and Will Chase stepped in for him. So it may have been rust on the pipes. But it happened 8 shows a week, every week.
He is still working and is doing amazing!
Thank you Jonathan Larson! ❤
Thank you for this. And in great quality, considering when and how it was filmed as well!
And thank you Jonathan Larson.
This is insane. A copy of this should be kept at the Smithsonian.
Oh, gosh! This is a great Christmas gift! It’s December of 2022, and I still love Rent!!! Thanks so much for sharing such a special treasure❤
this footage is amazing!! the sound is amazing! and although the camera quality isn't the best, its what you'd expect from a 90's small camera, in a mostly dark theater, amazing and rare!
agreed but it's passable and I would rather have better sound than video.
This is so freaking awesome!! I would say on my top ten list of places and spaces I wish I could be transported to, opening night of RENT 1995 would be on my list. Thanks for almost providing that for me.
Thanks for posting. I saw the OBC in July of 1996, having no clue what I was walking into except for the performance on the Tony's. I was blown away by the emotion of the show. It was so new they didn't even have souvenir programs yet though I still have the No Day But Today shirt I bought and the Playbill. I'm glad the show lives on and has a kind of cult following, but I miss the days when people didn't start screaming before Angel's grand entrance, they didn't clap and sing along with Seasons of Love, and before the American Idol influence of screaming and clapping every time someone hits a high note became popular. It was truly a gift this cast gave the audience, especially since I saw the show only 6 months after Jonathan's death.
My local production of RENT opens in three weeks. This is SO COOL to watch!!!!
Genuine audience reactions! Raw performances.
This was a Christmasm miracle to find. I've been searching for an original cast recording for years. The final Broadway Production and movie are just not the same. ❤🖤❤️🖤. Thanks.
This is so amazing rent is truly incredible and it’s a tragedy jonathon Larson couldn’t be here to see it become what it is today
This may be low quality VHS footage but it was really cool getting to see the original cast in action! Rent is my favorite musical and this allowed me to experience that original production. Thank you for uploading this!
Nothing to rip the heartstrings like Roger singing Your Eyes
THANK YOU 💜 . I’m the ultimate Rent-head and have always been dying to see the OBC. I used to collect bootleg VHS recordings in the early 2000s but was never able to track this one down. Bless UA-cam!! Jesse L Martin’s voice is sublime, love seeing how much Fredi Walker improvised / was a bit goofy, ofc the cutest cutie Anthony Rapp is a joy to watch and I’m living for his earnest hand gestures. But “the power blows” will always be my fav part of the show, has always given me goosebumps. Thank you dear poster, you are an angel!!
Such a sad loss of the creator, he did us proud ❤️ He’s in heaven and smiling, I can feel it
As much flack as Rent gets about being "outdated" etc, it really is perfect for what it is, it's time and place. There really is nothing like the original staged production. I'm sad for people who can't appreciate it.
Strangely I feel like it's become increasingly relevant in this age of technology, (dis)connection, and class divide
Find me literally one person who says this.
@@davidrosenblatt5984The LGBTQI community.
Fr, the other day my vocal coach said this exact thing of rent being outdated. Bahumbug
That cast went on to do great things. What Jonathan Larson could have done...
this specific recording of the show gives me chills for some reason
*RENT Original Broadway Cast*
*1996*
Anthony Rapp.........Mark Cohen
Adam Pascal.........Roger Davis
Daphne Rubin Vega.........Mimi Marquez
Jesse L. Martin.........Tom Collins
Wilson Jermaine Heredia...Angel Dumott Schunard
Idina Menzel.........Maureen Johnson
Fredi Walker.........Joanne Jefferson
Taye Diggs.........Benjamin Coffin III
Thanks for doing this!
@@mozltovcoktail no problem
Google keeps deleting my time stamp comments for no reason so I decided to do this instead
@@jtmcf Weird. I’ll put it in the description of you don’t mind.
@@mozltovcoktail Sure you can if you want
@@mozltovcoktail The time stamps are too early
Put 0.52 behind Tune Up 1 1:42 behind Voice Mail 1 and so on
bless you for this. Spent my whole childhood singing the OBC recording and imagining it in my head.
I loved this! I got to see the original cast. They were just WONDERFUL. I've seen a million shows now, but that night will forever be in my top 5 of all time. Thanks so much for posting this!!
this might have been from when Adam was still learning the lyrics and had index cards taped to the table and the back of the guitar
woah, that’s such a cool fact!!
Best cast and no one can tell me otherwise, I feel like the only person who thinks that.
Opera Nerd I’m with you. Never saw another full cast, just a few replacement members, but original was my fave.
Agreed. But casting them in the Chris Columbus disaster was a mistake. Sorry.
Gary Glaser true
@@garyglaser4998 I liked Joanne in the 2005 movie but they did make the music a little bit too slick.
Agreed
Oh my god, Daphne's Out Tonight is IN CRE DI BLLLLLE. That voice control, that power, OMG. I don't think anybody else from the officially filmed versions topped that, neither in 2005, nor in 2008, nor in 2019
nobody holds a candle to any of the or the original cast.
It is truly amazing to see this. I will watch it over and over. Thank you.
Life Support always makes me emotional. This is a fantastic recording.
I was to young when Rent originally came out. (I was about 8 then) My first time seeing it was the movie in 2005 and I’ve loved it ever since… I loved Rent on Fox and I’m just thrilled I found this footage of the original… this musical is timeless and I love it.
Thank you for posting! Wish I had a copy of this!
I’m so glad! This is the only footage I could scrape up, because this was 1996
i'm so glad this footage exists :>
Mark’s mom’s voicemail lives rent free in my head
Just a young Lt. Stamets singing about his new idea for a warp drive that uses mushrooms
I was lucky enough to see and meet Adam Pascal back in October! It was amazing! 😭✨
Idina was so adorable as Maureen on stage!!! So excited for her homecoming return to the Nederlander this January in REDWOOD!!!
I got to see Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal in this play in 2007 it was so good!!!
These two and the Collins guy are just so fantastic! Lucky!
this is such a precious jewel, man. Thank you 4 uploading this
THe seasons of love soloist said her first time hitting the high c was this performance and you can see Idena react a little when she hits it idina smiles more
Daphne is so wonderful
I wish I was old enough to see Rent Live on Broadway. I tried watching 2008 version. However, I just couldn't nothing will ever beat the original cast. Is it crazy I watch this video everyday? I love Jesse Martin. I actually went to the same high-school as him.
Thank you, Jonathan Larson.
Somebody went really hard on the 90's VHS effect. Joking aside glad this is captured somewhere.
OMG, this video's actually really old! I like it though and it has amazing camera quality in some parts!
1:16:03 - From time to time I tell my musical theater students that if you can command an audience with your back turned you got something special going on. I rest my case with Sir Anthony Rapp. I was fortunate enough to see him in “Rent” twice. Early in the run and just about a year later. I still haven’t recovered!
The tape may look pretty bad in spots (hey, it's VHS, it don't age too well. ;) ), but I'm so glad there is some sort of record of the opening night of Rent. Amazing.
This is amazing. I've only ever seen modern versions and they just always felt so...off...Like they should have been good but they weren't. I think this is something that really had to be seen at the time to be truly appreciated
The final Broadway performance from 2007(?) is up on UA-cam. That was a truly great cast too.
@@jordanschooley7836
Agreed…that cast and recording is top tier. I’ve seen others as well…including the cast that rolled through Boston when I first saw this show back in the day. I’m not sure OP has seen that many versions of this.
During this specific performance, these actors were also dealing with Johnathan Larson having died literally days before.
I’m in a production and I’m hoping our cast recaptures this level of emotion and realness. It’s so great this is on UA-cam. To hear honest reactions to songs, punchlines etc for the first time
Wow! This is fantastic! You are so lucky that you got to see the original cast of Rent. Plus you met some of the cast members…😲. I’m so jealous of you. Thanks for sharing this video. You’re too kind to us Rent fans.
Thank you for this. RENT is a brilliant light and a comfort too.
I love rent to death. It’s my favorite musical.
But the one thing I have never liked, it’s Angel coming out at the end in street clothes. To sing the last line of the musical. Every production does it.
Yes, if Angel came out in full costume, it could be considered confusing, because she died.
But street clothes seems like such a 4th wall break, right at the end. And in every production of Rent I have gone and seen, it always takes the crowed a half second to realize it’s Angel.
If she came out in her Santa outfit, but in all white, or something, I don’t feel like it would be as jarring as it is.
Agreed. When I saw it in the 90s in Minneapolis, I was like, "Who's that guy?" 🤣
@@3rdeyegoogly Exactly! what would even help is if the person who plays Angel, walks over to Collins and stand next to him and hold his hand, or something.
Not just sit in a random location with the cast
It's symbolic lol
@@mannyoftheeast3318 I know it’s symbolic. But because every production has done it, and it has become a required element in any production, no one questions it.
But like people should.
yes, RENT has been around for 25 years, but there are still people out there who have never heard of RENT, and might go see it for their first time at their Local Community Theatre, and for those people, there is so many little weird things that every director that puts on RENT does “because it’s just traditional” that, if you look at it from an outside POV. Make no sense in a directorial way
That time y'all said that Jonathan Larson died on that same day of your live show...., well, he may not be able to make it watching you all but he was really happy up there.... very proud!
We still love rent in KOREA 24.2
Korean production's season till 24.2.25
This is really the opening night? Wow. I have mixed feelings about rent but it is undeniably a significant show that had a long lasting impact. Its amazing to see this record of its first ever show. I knew bootlegs existed with the original cast, but to be the opening night show is so cool.
I think this is actually a premiere (before opening night) (?) if so, it’s even more impressive.
I read that on opening night they did a sing through of the musical in honor of Jonathan who died the day prior. So I believe this is not the opening night.
I think it's opening night on Broadway, not the first ever show :)
@@yoyoyo_yoyo that was opening night of the off Broadway production, this recording is from when they moved to Broadway.
This. Is. Gold.
As inspired of a way I want to look at it, it's really sad that he worked that hard and died on his kitchen floor after the final dress rehearsal.
I always come back to this. thank you so much.
My gosh their voices, so powerful, emotional... Love them. Later cast have dancers, more people, crazy effects but so poor voices... Its nice to know original cast are the best 😅❤️
TY!!! I was there at the opening! My friend was a dresser during the NY theatre workshop run so saw it there. Saw it a few times on Bway including opening night at the Neederlander.t THE.BEST.SHOW. EVER. THE. BEST. CAST. EVER. RIP Jonathan!
Thank you for uploading this! I've always wondered how the original production went, this is so fucking cool to see 💜🌈
Funny how this is in my recommendations after watching Tick Tick Boom 🥲
I’m 15 and I’ve always loved musicals. Didn’t know much about what’s currently on Broadway at any given time- my ma is taking me to NYC to see a Broadway show for my 16th- I was kinda bummed when I realized Rent was no longer on Broadway so I came here! Thanks for preserving such an amazing show on opening night!
My favorite play, still to this day! ❤
The actual opening night I have never seen that video. You can tell this is not it because the cast performed seated until they just couldn't and started dancing at LVB. The rest of that special show was done fully blocked. I wonder if someone has footage there just has to be . But maybe it is too personal to the cast. I'm lucky enough to have a soundboard from the Workshop production ..full dialogue and all ..nope I'll never tell! Thanks to that person 4 ever. I have never copied it or shared it because I was asked all those years ago not to. Now I don't even own a cassette player. Lol. But they are treasured. Gold has stayed
the dislikes are Alexi, the priest and the waiter
Alison too!
@@hopebeshears4749 oy vey!
And Evita!
It's like we're seeing Mark's film. 😊
Gosh, I wish they properly recorded this like they did with the final show. What a treasure that would've been.
You can tell this is the original tape because the other one on UA-cam starts during when Mark is introducing the show and this video starts at the beginning and the other video doesn’t have a lot of saturation color and this one does.
idina menzel pre wicked is incredible
Jonathan died the night before their opening OFF broadway. If this vhs is opening night, it was opening night on broadway. I don’t know the exact dates but they weren’t right after each other
It opened on Broadway 4/29/96. Off Bway was in Feb I believe the 13th. If you go on Google you can find the NY Times review.
Correction: off Bway opening was Jan 26th.
Opening for the Off Broadway was a sing through of Rent, this is obviously the opening On Broadway
@@TheGameCenter I'm pretty sure it started out as a sing through and then half way through everyone just nonverbally agreed that they needed to do the show like it was meant to be done, I honestly wish there was footage of it. Oh and I'm almost certain it was a preview and not opening night. But ur right this is not that performance