#and other stuff too..

[sodadogg]

*Aggressively shakes you.* YOU KNOW INSCRYPTION???

YESS I DOOOO

BUT I HAVEN'T EVEN GOTTEN PASSED LESHY BECAUSE I KEEP FUCKING UP AND RAGE QUITTING 💔

BUT TRUST I LIKE THE GAME A LOT AND IM TRYING TO MAKE PROGRESS, IM JUST ASS AT CARD GAMES

[rebelheartsgetresurrected]

RENT OFF-BROADWAY

For now I'm just going to list the songs and my thoughts on them. However, I will write a formal review eventually. And I'm not going to list every single song, only the ones that I have something to say about. There's just so many. So, yeah :) 

Rent: During the beginning of the song, they had a strobe light going. It was wonderful. I really enjoyed the choreography in this version! The visuals during this song were incredible with the choreography and the lighting and everything. Not to mention, it sounded great. 

One Song Glory: I was super impressed with Matt Shingledecker. I've always loved this song, but I think he made me love it even more. This man's voice is incredible. 

Light My Candle: This has always been one of my favorite songs of the show, but I didn't like their version. It was just really quiet and it felt awkward. We saw Margot Bingham as Mimi (she's the understudy), and I was a little disappointed. I hate to say that because she was so sweet, but yeah. And she looked way too healthy to be playing Mimi. I mean, don't get me wrong, her body is gorgeous and she looks fantastic, but isn't Mimi supposed to look like a drug-addict who is dying from AIDS? 

Today 4 U: Incredible. That's all. It was just amazing. MJ Rodriguez is an amazing Angel, and is now my favorite actor to ever play him. This man's voice and SPLITS! He's just incredible. 

You'll See: I actually enjoyed this number. I've always liked the song, but I usually don't like the actors who play Benny. Other than Taye Diggs, I haven't liked any of the other actors UNTIL now. I was super impressed with Ephraim Sykes! 

Tango: Maureen: This number was really great. Adam Chanler-Berat is hysterical and Corbin Reid has one hell of a voice, goodness gracious. That woman's voice is incredible. 

Out Tonight: I really feel terrible saying how unimpressed I was with Margot. She has a great voice, but she just didn't seem vocally ready for the role. Also... I miss the blue sparkly pants from the original. That was one change that I wasn't fond of. 

Another Day: This number looked and sounded great. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either. It didn't stand out, but it was good. 

Will I?: I just have to mention Matt when Roger leaves the apartment for the first time. The blocking/staging was perfect and Matt just breaks your heart. That moment was fantastic. 

Santa Fe: I've never liked Santa Fe. It's always been one of my least favorite numbers, but I loved their version of it. Brandon Victor Dixon was an absolutely incredible Collins. I just really enjoyed this number. 

I'll Cover You: Flawless. Brandon Victor Dixon and MJ Rodriguez were the perfect Collins and Angel. 

We're Okay: I just have to mention this song because Corbin Reid's voice is amazing. 

Christmas Bells: There were projections of snow, as well as actual fake snow. The visuals were just amazing. 

Over the Moon: Knowing Annaleigh Ashford, I was expecting her to play up the comedy, which she did. I don't know. I was underwhelmed with this number. I understand that Maureen is supposed to be very over-dramatic and ridiculous, but it almost seemed like it was too much and it took away from the performance. She does have an incredible voice, though. It just wasn't my favorite version of this song. 

La Vie Boheme/La Vie Boheme B: This has always been my favorite number from RENT. Always, always, always. And they did a great job with it! I think at some moments it was lacking the energy necessary for the song, but overall it was still great. I so desperately wanted to go up there and dance and sing with them. 

I Should Tell You: I was very happy with this number. Thus far, I hadn't been too impressed with Margot as Mimi, but she really did a great job with this number. And Matt was wonderful, as usual. 

Seasons of Love: Flawless. I couldn't stop smiling. 

Happy New Year/Happy New Year B: I felt like Mimi and Roger's parts were just kind of awkward. However, as a whole, the scene was very well done. It didn't stand out, but it was good. 

Take Me or Leave Me: I kind of miss the tables in this scene. It looked and sounded amazing, I just missed the tables for some reason. But I mean, Annaleigh and Corbin's voices together were magical. 

Without You: Margot did incredible with this song. I was very happy with her here. I started tearing up during this number. It was great. And MJ and Brandon were just heartbreaking. 

Contact: So, I've never liked this number at all. Never. Until now. I didn't miss the white sheet at all. It sounded and looked amazing. The visuals of this show were really incredible with the lighting, the set, and the choreography. It was great. 

I'll Cover You (Reprise): I was bawling. I've seen many different version of RENT, but this was the first cast that had me bawling. It was absolutely heartbreaking. Brandon was an amazing Collins. That man's voice was flawless. I think he is the best Collins I have ever seen. 

Halloween: Adam Chanler-Berat's Mark was really incredible. His interpretation was really great. I felt like he made Mark's character so much more complex than I had seen previous actors do. It was fantastic. 

Goodbye Love: Heartbreaking. It had always been one of my favorite numbers, and this cast did it justice. It was really great. 

What You Own: So, this has always been one of my absolute favorite numbers. After seeing their version, I love it even more. Incredible. Flawless. Majestic. There's not enough adjectives to describe how amazing it was. I absolutely LOVE the set and the staging in this scene. This may have been my favorite number of the show. 

Finale: I don't really have much to say. I felt like Matt's "I tried... You know I tried." was a little awkward, but that's being picky. OH! And I love the projections. They were great. 

Your Eyes: So! I've always felt that this song was awkward and I had never liked the table (that's why I love the chair so much in the Hollywood Bowl version), but the way it was staged in this version was great. The table wasn't awkward, and Matt sitting sort of behind her/next to her(Mimi) was perfect. And Matt acted the part wonderfully. It was beautiful. 

Finale B: Ahhhhh. So much happiness. I love this number. I love Adam running around with the camera and it being projected (as if it were being projected live. I'm not sure if it was actually live or not, but it was great). I just love this number. 

But, yeah. I was super impressed with this cast and version and etc etc! I was especially impressed with Adam as Mark, MJ as Angel, Brandon as Collins, and Matt as Roger. In way of the females, I think I was most impressed with Corbin. And the set, you guys. The set was incredible. I think it's so much better than the original set. And the staging with set was incredible, as well. Yeah, I'm just super happy that I got to see it. Oh! And I might as well talk about stage door while I'm talking so much already. 

STAGE DOOR:

Adam looked so confused when he walked out. He was so sweet. While I was taking a picture with him, he was holding my arm so tight! I thought he was going to cut off my circulation, haha. And his scarf was huge! I felt like my face was just in his scarf, haha. And afterwards, he gave me a hug, which made me super happy. I was shaking. He's inspired me so much, it felt like such a blessing to actually be able to meet him. 

Matt was so nice! For some reason, I remember someone telling me that he wasn't the nicest at stage door, but he was so nice!  - “Would you mind if I got a picture with you?”      - “Of course! Wait.. no. Not! Wait.. I mean, of course not! Of course I will take a picture with you!” 

MJ was the sweetest and so adorable. My cousin and him had about a five minute conversation with each other (I talked a little bit :P). He told us about his first New Years in Times Square and how excited he was to be getting away from the insanity of New Years this year. We told him he had an incredible voice and he made this face that was just indescribable, so hysterical. He told us that all he wants to do is work hard to be the best he can be and make the audience happy. He was so sweet. 

Corbin was so sweet. I don't really have much to say, but she was super nice :) 

Annaleigh was so funny! She was like, "Oh, Gosh! People waited for us!!" It was adorable. She thanked me like five times for waiting and coming to the show. She was so nice. 

Margot was so nice!! She seemed so surprised that someone wanted a picture with her! She walked up to me and started taking her hair down. She was like, "Hold on. I've gotta take my hair down so people will actually know who I am." Then Annaleigh was like, "Oh snap! Girl's taking her hair down!" Margot started shaking out her hair and was like, "Look! I'm still sparkly!" And then shook some sparkles on me, haha :D She was so nice. 

When we were standing at the end of the block, waiting for the light to change, we turn around and Annaleigh and Margot were skipping down the sidewalk with their arms linked. It was adorable :D

So, yeah. This was my experience with RENT Off-Broadway. it was really a great experience and I am so grateful for it :D And just letting you know, I will write a formal review of the show eventually!