by Shelly Decker
Edmonton Sun
October 25, 2000

Stephen Liley couldn't wait to shell out the Rent money.

The 20-year-old Edmonton man, who's already seen the American musical in New York, snapped up two high-end prime seats - at $65 a pop - to all but one performance of Rent, which plays in the Jubilee Auditorium Nov. 7 to 12.

"I'm very, very excited. I can't wait," said Liley, who works with street youth at the Old Strathcona Street Co-Op. "Every single night I'm going with a different person. I wanted to share that experience that I've loved so much for five years."

The devoted fan isn't upset that he's missing out on a chance to buy tickets at $20 a pop - a Rent tradition that has sparked overnight campouts in other cities.

"At least I have my tickets. I wouldn't have done it for any other show, just for Rent," said Liley, who will miss Wednesday's show because he has to work.

Following its policy in other cities, Rent producers will announce today that they will sell 20 tickets for each performance at the $20 price. The tickets are located in the front two rows of the Jube.

"People bring lawn chairs, pillows, sleeping bags and they sleep overnight in the sun, in the rain, in the snow, in the cold. They're amazing people," said company manager Roeya Banuazizi of the cheap-seat seekers.

Diehard fans are deemed "Rentheads'' due to their relentless passion for the musical, about a group of New York struggling artists and their relationships.

"Every night they're affected by the show and every single night, to watch from backstage, to see the tears streaming down their faces, it's amazing, the intensity and the passion. These are people who have seen the show countless times," said Banuazizi.

The cast loves the loyal following.

"Rentheads are part of the Rent family. They are our constant support," said Banuazizi. "It's a wonderful, reciprocal love fest."

Some people are so entranced with the show they follow the touring company to different cities.

"That happens quite a bit. There are people we see in Seattle and then in Miami and then we see them again in Boston and then we don't see them again until we're in Detroit," said Banuazizi, who added Rentheads emerged before the production hit Broadway.

Liley met a man in the New York show line who'd seen the musical 138 times. During his 1999 visit to Broadway, our local Renthead and a buddy created a Rent tour.

"The home of Rent is New York and it's all about living in New York. A friend and I, we went to all the places in Rent. We went to the Life Cafe and ate the food that was in Rent," recalled Liley, who fell in love with the musical after listening to the soundtrack when it debuted.

The novel $20 ticket concept was the brainchild of creator Jonathan Larson, who died just hours after the show's final dress rehearsal.

"That was his wish and his dream that people could afford to go. Producers have carried that on and every performance ... there are always the $20 tickets," said Banuazizi, who added those who pay $65 shouldn't feel ripped off that someone next to them paid $20.

"They don't discriminate. Anyone can stand in line."

Those wanting $20 tickets can't line-jump or save a space, and list making - where you write your name down to secure your spot - is banned. You can only leave the line to go to the bathroom. Each person can buy two, cash-only tickets which go on sale two hours before show time.