Reading
RENT
by Paul Wontorek
broadway.com
After all of my whining in my last column
over Chris Columbus' recent interview with About.com regarding the Rent
film, I was thrilled when a few of my readers sent me the actual screenplay so I
could read it for myself. It seems that one of the original cast members who is
recreating their role for the film has been passing this treasured document into
the hands of fans over the past month, which led to one overzealous Rent-head
posting the entire document on their website, showing a blatant disregard for
law. Which actor was it? I won't tell, but it's not all that difficult to
decipher.
Anyway, I have to say that the actual script eased my soul in a lot of
ways--novice screenwriter Stephen Chbosky and rewriter Columbus have
delivered a shooting script that will make many a Rent fan happy. The
aforementioned cut songs turn out to be the obvious choices--some
"Voicemail" sequences, "Contact," "Happy New Year"
and, disappointingly, the wonderful "Christmas Bells" shopping in St.
Marks Place scene (although there are several of the shorter versions of the
song sung by packs of homeless people). But the plot is intact, with just that
goofy gay marriage subplot thrown in--Joanne and Maureen awkwardly sing
"Take Me or Leave Me" in front of the guests at a swank
|
Hey
Taye, Anthony's getting in
bed with Idina in the film!
|
"engagement party" at Joanne's parents' house in Connecticut. Chbosky
and Columbus have even found a credible way to incorporate "Seasons of
Love," the one song in the show that isn't plot-driven, into the screenplay
and in the same exact spot as it is in the score!
In terms of expanded scenes, we now see Mimi's place of the employment, the Cat
Scratch Club, which seems to something between Lucky Cheng's and Scores. Mimi
sings "Out Tonight" on the stage of the strip joint on a set that
apparently will mimic the Broadway Rent set, staircase, scaffolding and
all. By the way, Angel randomly joins Mimi for the last verse of the song and
they both wind up topless with just panties on! There's also a new scene between
Mimi and Benny at the club, which helps to explain their dubious past.
As Roger sings "One Song
Glory" on the roof of the apartment building, we know get to see via
flashback dead girlfriend April and see signature scenes from their sad story.
Similarly, "Tango Maureen" offers a chance for Joanne and Mark to
flashback on telling moments during their troubled relationships with the
oversexed performance artist (Brace yourself for the sight of stars Idina
Menzel and Anthony Rapp in bed together!) and culminates in a dream
black-tie tango sequence that may just prove silly. Speaking of dream sequences,
"Santa Fe" transforms the view from a crowded Manhattan subway car
into the landscape of the New Mexico haven. Oh, and when Roger himself goes
to Santa Fe toward the end of the film, we'll go with him (By the way, Roger
drives a Mustang).
Peppered throughout the script are some potentially gorgeous images. My favorite
is when Mimi and Roger escape from the madness of "La Vie Boheme" at
the Life Café after learning that they both are HIV-positive. As the snow falls
from the sky, they sing the gorgeous "I Should Tell You" amidst a
summer courtyard now blanketed in winter white. If Columbus can nail the
theatricality of scenes like this, we might just have something to look forward
to next Christmas after all.
[ back ]
[ home ]