Rent has single-handedly reinvigorated Broadway and taken America by storm. Sweeping all major theater awards, including the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for drama, as well as four 1996 Tony Awards including Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score for a Musical, Rent captures the heart and spirit of a generation, refleting it onstage through the emotion of its stirring words and music, and the energy of its young cast. Now, for the first time, Rent comes to life on the page -- through vivid color photographs, the full libretto, and an utterly compelling behind-the-scenes oral history of the show's creation. Here is the exclusive and absolutely complete companion to Rent, told in the voices of the extraordinary talent behind its success: the actors, the director, the producers, and the librettist and composer himself, Jonathan Larson, whose sudden death, on the eve of the first performance, has made Rent's life-affirming message all the more poignant.
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Book Description
In these pages, Rent offers what most theater books can't: a chance to step behind the curtain and feel the electricity of a stage phenomenon as it unfolds.
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
This is by far the must-get theater book of the year. With dazzling punk graphics that will quickly win book industry awards, the volume contains the entire libretto of the Tony- and Pulitzer-winning musical about love and loyalty among starving AIDS-stricken artists in New York's East Village. But editors Evelyn McDonnell and Katherine Silberger wisely understand that the story of the show's creation is as compelling as the musical itself--so more than half of this volume is devoted to an oral history of the composer/lyricist/librettist Jonathan Larson, who came to New York hoping to revolutionize musical theater--then died of an aortic aneurysm the night of the show's final preview. It's an event book for an event musical.
Review
"Rent is the breakthrough musical for the 90's." -- -- Newsweek
"The most exuberant and original American musical to come along this decade." -- -- Time
"The most exuberant and original American musical to come along this decade." -- -- Time
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Tobias
Format:Hardcover
Let me preface this by saying I am probably biased, as I have seen RENT 10 times (a small number when compared to some fans.)
I found this book to be extremely entertaining and enlightening. You never realize just how much work goes into creating something that you aren't really involved in. This book takes you backstage and behind the scenes for an expansive history of how RENT was conceived, designed, and brought to life on stage.
It also contains the full RENT script and song lyrics. Throughout the book are high-quality, color photographs of just about everything, including shots from the original broadway cast performing the show.
I would definitely reccomend this book - it is definitely worth the rather cheap price - for anyone. Whether you've seen the show once or thirty times, this book is perfect.
I found this book to be extremely entertaining and enlightening. You never realize just how much work goes into creating something that you aren't really involved in. This book takes you backstage and behind the scenes for an expansive history of how RENT was conceived, designed, and brought to life on stage.
It also contains the full RENT script and song lyrics. Throughout the book are high-quality, color photographs of just about everything, including shots from the original broadway cast performing the show.
I would definitely reccomend this book - it is definitely worth the rather cheap price - for anyone. Whether you've seen the show once or thirty times, this book is perfect.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Carrie
Format:Hardcover
This is a wonderful book. If you are a fan of books or a fan of RENT, this is a great buy. Glancing through the pages you will remember your experience of seeing the musical. It is easily relived by leafing through this book. A definite must have for the RENT fan. This is a book well worth the money.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By Kimberly M.
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is the perfect book for fans of the show and the perfect coffee table book... I simply love reading it and looking at the pictures. The book features information on how the show came about, it's sucess, and the life of Jonathon Larson(it's creator) struggle to have his show made on Broadway. Larson tragically died before opening night due to an undiagnosed heart condition. Truly it's a shame he did not live to see the dream of his creation realized.
In the book the orginal cast members talk a little bit about Larson and the musical's affect on them. The most interesting part of the story is reading about the orginal cast's sucess... all of the orginal cast sucess has become EXTREMELY sucessful. The musical being their break to stardom. The actors & actresses talk about the affect the musical has on their everyday lives.
The musical features little known facts about the show, the cast, and insight onto what made the musical one of the longest running musicals in history.
The book is truly the RentHead bible and perfect for the fan of musicals...
In the book the orginal cast members talk a little bit about Larson and the musical's affect on them. The most interesting part of the story is reading about the orginal cast's sucess... all of the orginal cast sucess has become EXTREMELY sucessful. The musical being their break to stardom. The actors & actresses talk about the affect the musical has on their everyday lives.
The musical features little known facts about the show, the cast, and insight onto what made the musical one of the longest running musicals in history.
The book is truly the RentHead bible and perfect for the fan of musicals...
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
RENT the book
Really wonderful detailed story about the birth of "RENT" the musical, its composer Jonathan Larson, and all of the folks involved who helped bring the show into reality. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Susan R.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Thank You, Jonathan Larson: RENT and it's amazing impact
RENT is an absolutely amazing piece of American drama that has completely revolutionized musical theatre and its culture forever. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Sydney Milligan
4.0 out of 5 stars
Rent Bible
Came today!! I cried I was so happy, however the book was a little damaged at the corners, assumably not packed as well as it should have been. Read more
Published on November 29, 2010 by Amy
1.0 out of 5 stars
Rent hardcover book
Great source of information for the production of Rent. It explains why certain people were cast and gives you Larson's vision of his characters. Read more
Published on August 17, 2010 by Lori D. Shepard
5.0 out of 5 stars
For the Rent fanatic
I purhase this book for my son who is going to be a muscial theater major. He is also a Rent fanatic. He loved the book. The pictures and stories were great.
Published on August 5, 2009 by Doris
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing! A must read for all RENT fans!
I absolutely love this coffee table book and the only complaint I have is with myself...why did I wait so long to purchase it! Read more
Published on February 2, 2009 by Meg Wallace
5.0 out of 5 stars
A MUST HAVE TO REMEMBER RENT
I have been so fortunate to have known this show for twelve years. Now that it has ended, I will have my memories of seeing the show as well as this amazing book. Read more
Published on September 17, 2008 by MacCook
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is so awsome
This is not just the story of RENT and its creation, but the story of it's creator as well. Jonathan Larson's story is just as moving as RENT is, and this book gives an awesome... Read more
Published on July 28, 2008 by B. Schieffer
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Renthead's Bible
This book has everything you need if you are interested in more than just the movie. The whole script is included. Interviews with the entire cast! Read more
Published on January 27, 2008 by Lisa Altus
5.0 out of 5 stars
SIMPLY ESSENTIAL
An absolute necessity for any renthead. only complaint is it is written early on in the broadway run but really that is the end of the story mostly. Read more
Published on January 20, 2008 by Michael P. Mcclain
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