Just as great. It's amazing the way some people cand find this musical...god, I just love it.
Once upon a time there was a land far away, a land called There was a place on called the JN (Jimmy Neutron) forum. Everyone there were friends (with the exception of the evil Benny-like dictator, Will, but that is another story). I made many friends on that forum, but one of the few I will probably remember for the rest of my life was Neena.
Neena was a girl who was about five years older than I was at the time. She was obsessed with Broadway, especially with a show called Wicked and a singer named India (not a typo, I seriously thought that was her name). Everything she mentioned was about Broadway. I wouldn't have gotten into it at all if it was not for her.
After hanging out with her via JN Forum I had learned all about Avenue Q and Wicked and a few things about RENT. I only knew basic things like who the characters were, most of the actors, and the majority of the songs. Around Christmas when I was thirteen years old Neena was cast in her school's production of RENT. Wicked had taken a backseat to her and I learned almost everything single thing there was to know about it.
That June, Neen had been accepted to college and left the forum. That month I also saw the movie version of RENT for the first time. It was amazing. Today 4 U and Tango Maureen made me cheer, Out Tonight and Santa Fe made me want to dance, La Vie Boheme and Over the Moon had me roaring with laughter, and Without You and Angel's funeral made me cry.
Fast forward a year later. Because of Neen I was inspired to see "Beauty and the Beast" one Bway. My first Broadway show ever. Fast forward again to September or October of this year. I made friends with one of the freshmen at my school, Morgan. Morgan had told me that Anthony and Adam had returned to the cast... but left by the time she had told me.
Ever since then I never shut up about RENT. I have bought the DVD, the movie soundtrack, the OBCR, and lots more merchandise to come when I see RENT for the first, and sadly last, time on March 8th at 2:00pm.
Thank you Jonathon Larson, may your work may never be forgotten and may it continue to inspire generations to come. And thank you Neena, for welcoming me into this wonderful world I never want to exit from. Viva La Vie Boheme. No Day But Today.
By Angela aka BackyardTaang (can't find the name but oh well)
