- RENT-head
A RENT-head or RENThead is someone who is obsessed with or at least a very big fan of the musical "RENT" (capitalization is optional).
History
The term originated in RENT's first months on Broadway. The show's producers offered 34 seats in the front two rows of the orchestra for $20 each, two hours before the performance. Fans and others interested in tickets would camp out for hours in front of the
Nederlander Theater -- which is on 41st Street, just outsideTimes Square -- to buy these tickets.cite journal | author=Riedel, Michael | authorlink= | title=Every Day a 'Rent' Party: hardcore fans of the hit musical form a squatters camp at the box office| journal=| date=March 3 1997 | pages=27New York Daily News [http://www.nydailynews.com/] ] This group experience, and the strong emotional impact that the show had on many, gave rise to a strong community of passionate fans. RENTheads also developed an active online presence.Many RENTheads have seen the show dozens of times, some in various cities.cite book | last = Larson | first = Jonathan | authorlink = Jonathan Larson | coauthors = Evelyn McDonnell with Katherine Silberger | title = RENT | publisher = Rob Weisbach Books | year = 1997 | location = New York | pages = p. 133 | id = ISBN 0688154379 ] At least one person has seen the show more than 1100 times over the course of the show's nearly 12 year run.
In the documentary included on the DVD of the 2005 film version of "RENT", various speakers noted that many friendships were forged between the young groups that stayed in the line.
In front of the various theatres throughout the country, young RENTheads would perform the show on the dead, lightless streets.Sharing sleeping bags, crossword puzzles and food, these young people enjoyed the company of each other while waiting long hours, sometimes days. In 1997, a tour stop in Saint Paul, Minnesota had a 10 day waiting line for its closing night performance.
In the summer of 1997, after it had become common for fans to sleep overnight in line for tickets, the New York City rush was replaced by a lottery. However, many tour stops and international productions continue to offer rush.
The term RENThead now used for anyone who considers themselves obsessed with "RENT", either through stage version or the film. However, many current fans have also rejected the term, and prefer to be called "Rent fans" or "regulars" (as they attend the show on a regular basis). Early on, RENT-heads were also called "squatters", a reference to one of the squatters in the show.
Journalist
Kelly Nestruck writes inThe Guardian that "Rent fans...are known colloquially as Rentheads and even more colloquially as the most annoying of all musical fans".cite journal | author=Nestruck, Kelly| authorlink= | title=Noises off: From the theatre blogs| journal=| date=October 9 2007 | pages=27The Guardian [http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/theatre/2007/10/from_the_theatre_blogs.html] ]References
Online Communities
The official site for RENT at http://www.siteforrent.com has long been a wonderful place for RENT-heads to leave their memories (written or video), communicate with other fans, celebrate RENT's messages, etc.
As of July 2008, a website at http://RENT-heads.org has been created by a RENT-head (who was part of those $20 lines in 1996). The site's goal is to give hardcore (thus heartbroken) fans of RENT a place to go after the show closes, a place to be themselves and to commune with others. The mission is to keep alive the message of friendship, community, and healing that has enveloped millions of us, thanks to the talent and compassion of Jonathan Larson and all cast/crew/house staff/movie team/tours of this life-saving phenomenon we call RENT. (website is unofficial)
Life Cafe has started a set of beautiful journals; RENT-heads and all fans can sign, share their stories/poetry/etc., read the stories of other fans, etc. Located in NYC at 343 E. 10th St (and Ave. B) - http://www.lifecafe.com [disclaimer: this has been posted by a fan, not Life Cafe]
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