Hey, everyone. Long time since this was updated, and I'm glad to do it. Well, I now have RENT tix for February vacation, at least. I should be bouncing off the walls with joy, but...I'm so scared of the emotional upheaval I know I'll have. It already hurts just to think about it...GAH! HAPPY THOUGHTS, HAPPY THOUGHTS, OBC OPENING NIGHT, MIMI PANTS! FRICKIN MIMI PANTS!

The Mimi pants actually do make me feel better. They're so wonderfully stretchy and bluuuue...and they sparkle.

They really do.

My…first…time, hard to explain. Rush of blood, oh, and a little bit of pain, on a cloudy day, it's more common than you think…

Vanessa Carlton, White Houses

Indeed, Vanessa. Sadly, it was a cloudy day the day I saw RENT live. But after I viewed Jon Larson's creation, the day brightened.

I had seen the movie version of RENT the first time in March 2006. I had ordered the movie from Netflix, curious to see what it was about. I wasn't sure I'd like it, but I put it in anyway. I watched as the story unfolded, captivated. The lyrics, the plot, the characters, all so inspiring and brilliant. I cried when Angel died, WTF'd Maureen's protest, was surprised by the ending, and fell in love. It quickly became a favorite of mine. I eventually bought the DVD, watching it over and over, waiting for the day I'd see it live. Then, the news came: I was seeing RENT on January 19, 2008. I couldn't wait! I read RENT fanfiction stories obsessively, even writing two of my own. (check them out, LOL!) Finally, the day came.

My mom and I went to the Providence PAC for the 2:00 Saturday matinee. I bought the fitted tee, the program, and the poster. My mom saw the cow, which prompted her to ask me, "What does the cow have to do with any of this?" I just replied with a "you'll see…" Well, I feel in love with the stage quickly. Our seats were decent, halfway back, orchestra right center. I will now go into a detailed view, song by song.

Tune Up #1: I loved Mark's interaction with Roger during this one.

Voice Mail #1: The actress was a little bit too loud, but I did enjoy her "love mooooooom!"

Tune Up #2: God, that line never gets old! "What's his name?" "Joanne." I love that part so much, lmao.

Rent: Oh my God, the energy in this song! Everyone was running around the stage like crazy. I loved all the different parts going on at once. (I found myself watching Joanne most of the time) Very explosive!

You Okay, Honey: Angel is ah-dorable. I loved when he pointed at Collins and went "and I do not take no!"

Tune Up #3: Not much to say here, except that I loved Roger's emotion, especially when he defeated-ly threw his guitar on the table.

One Song Glory: Love, love, love it. So emotional, and the movement is gorgeous.

Light My Candle: I was like "ok…why do they have a dark Mimi? And why does she have a faux hawk?" Still, it was cute. I enjoyed when Roger sang "I didn't recognize you without the handcuffs" and mimicked Mimi's handcuff dance!

Voice Mail #2: This was okay. I was watching Maureen's silhouette on the balcony more than Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson, to be honest.

Today 4 U: I loved Angel's costume! And when she jumped off the table and went "Whee!"? Adorable!

You'll See: Not much to say about that. I do like "That gut could use some Prozac/or heavy drugs/or group hugs!" and "Boys like me/I like boys!"

Tango: Maureen: BIG laughs! I loved Mark the whole time! Especially when he said "With…Nanette Himmelfarb, the rabbi's daughter, at the Scarsdale Jewish Community Center". And then when Joanne dropped him!

Life Support: Beautiful, absolutely beautiful.

Out Tonight: Goodness, that girl can move! And get into some interesting positions, too. I got shivers in my legs when she said "Where all the scars from the NEVERS and MAYBES…DIIIIIIIIE!"

Another Day: One of my favorite songs, and wonderfully done.

Will I: I nearly cried! I loved at the end when Roger had the jacket in his hands, and kept looking from it to the door, like he was seriously contemplating on whether or not to leave.

On The Street: It was okay…

Santa Fe: Not really how I imagined it done, but Collins did a nice job with it.

I'll Cover You: Angel/Collins! It was so undeniably cute.

We're Okay: I actually really liked this song! Why, oh why, did they cut it from the movie?!

Christmas Bells: Love. I was watching Roger/Mark/Mimi the whole time, really. Angel is so cute when she sings "Kiss me, it's beginning to snow!" There's so much going on that it's impossible to see the whole picture one time! When Maureen came out I was like, wow. She had short hair, so I was a little off-put, but then came…

Over the Moon: Oh. My. God. WOW!! Not how I pictured it at all! It got big laughs, big laughs. I love how she gets the whole audience to "moo with me!!" Mom leaned over and said "Now I get the cow…" (And yes, I did moo with Maureen!)

La Vie Boheme: Not as high energy as Rent, but still WOW factor! I laughed during the whole thing.

I Should Tell You: Cute and sweet. Perfect Mimi/Roger moment!

La Vie Boheme B: Wow. Again. I didn't expect that siren to go off, though! VIVA la vie boheme!

Seasons of Love: The soloists were simply amazing. Such a beautiful song!

Happy New Year: Chips, anyone?

Voice Mail #3: I loved Mark's mom, but Alexi annoyed the hell outta me. Is she supposed to singsong annunciate everything? Seriously, she was like, "MARK, Alexi DARLING from BUZZLINE….KERCHING, KERCHING! Etc)

Happy New Year B: I did NOT expect any of that to happen (except breaking in) I loved the Angel/Benny thing where he was like "how did you know she fell?" and Collins broke in with " Champagne?"

Take Me or Leave Me: Those shivers came back again! Love, love, love it.

Seasons of Love B: Love it, again. So pretty!

Without You: On the verge of tears. It was absolutely beautiful, of course.

Voice Mail #4: Ok, now Alexi is REALLY bugging me! I did enjoy the "Marky, sell us your souuuuuuul!" bit, though!

Contact: I loved it when Angel rose up and sang "Take me, take me, etc"

I'll Cover You (reprise): So sad, and so pretty. I noticed that they made the same line as in Seasons of Love, but with Angel's space missing.

Halloween: Easily my new favorite song.

Goodbye, Love: I almost cry whenever I hear this song! I loved Mark and Roger's interaction, again, and how Mimi broke down for that final "goodbye love, hello disease!"

What You Own: Again, love the harmony between Mark and Roger. Double loved the beginning when Mark is acting out the Buzzline thing. The look on his face was so funny, and then he broke down with the "Oh my God, what am I doing?"

Voice Mail #5: Hard to understand, I will admit.

Finale: Cute, and then BAM! Mimi!

Your Eyes: I hate that song. Poor Mimi, that's all I can say.

Finale B: Much better. Loved it when Angel came out at the end! The crowd cheered when that happened.

So that was my first time. I loved every single minute of it. I have the "Best of RENT" album, and will be purchasing the whole soundtrack as soon as I can! This show now ties with WICKED for favorite musical of all time.

By GirlInTheMirror121