Vulture Review: Rent Sing Along Enlivens Jonathan Larsson’s Spirit
When I was invited to Vulture Festival’s Rent Sing-Along, admittedly, I did not expect it be as amazing as it was. I knew it would be fun and a guaranteed great time. It is RENT, for God’s Sake! Yet. when you experience the energy of so many people singing the most beautiful lyrics in musical history, you feel you soul literally move.
The event was led by Broadway stars like, Adam Kantor, Lena Hall, Nikki M. James and Gideon Glick to name a few that dominated the stage in leading this triumphant moment of love ( pun intended). You would think that having legitimate Broadway stars lead a Rent Karaoke session might leave the audience feeling intimidated. We are all mere shower singers, not BROADWAY ONES! Yet, the stars, too, were humbled by the work of Jonathan Larsson in both music and humanity.
The near two hour sing along was not just an homage but a reminder of Rent’s enlightening importance. It was the Hamilton of its time. It was a musical revolution that changed the landscape of Broadway forever by brining education and empathy to a cause long ignored, i.e. AIDS. When the actors described this, the audience hushed to absorb this unnoticed truth. Rent is a rare gem because it is one of the few musicals that brings song and wisdom together. As the actors and even the audience spoke on what Rent meant to them, I felt teary-eyed. It was a musical session that reminded me of my humanity and the brightened excitement Broadway offers viewers in giving them something to dream about.
Rent is coming up on its 20th anniversary, and Vulture did an amazing job in telling why it is such an eternal, musical landmark. As everyone sang songs like, One Song Glory, Without You, and Seasons of Love, the poesy of Jonathan Larsson’s words and personal fears came to life. Larsson died of AIDS opening day of the musical, which is often treated like an anecdote. Yet, when you heareveryone singing these words with an open passion and no shame, you hear the sentiment placed in these songs. For example, “one song glory, one song before I go”, struck me as Larsson’s personal endeavor to leave a legend behind. He did more than that.
Absolutely, every human being there, including Vulture staff, made sure to show that this event was purely about love and respect for this pop culture staple. Rent is Larsson’s eternity on this earth. All around the world people turn to this musical and its music to feel something. It moves anyone to reach into their hearts, which is a feat that not many pieces of art have done so powerfully and vastly. As the actors mentioned on stage, “Thank You, Jonathan!”. You really did change the world for the better.
Rent Sing Along was apart of the Vulture Festival, which happens every May in NYC. This event occurred Sunday May 22, 2016, and like every event was a homage to an wonderful moment in pop culture history.
