
Slate's Spoiler Specials
Podcast
Slate's Spoiler Specials are not reviews of current movies, but "postviews" -- audio critiques meant...

An Evening with Stephen Schwartz
Podcast
From his time at Juilliard to his grand success on Broadway, follow the path of Stephen Schwartz,...

Darker Projects: Alive Inside
Podcast
The human race? Forget about them. Laid waste by the Great Catastrophe, the remnants of humanity...

Lorene Scafaria recommended Cinema Paradiso (1988) in Movies (curated)

Alec Baldwin recommended Z (Movie) (1969) in Movies (curated)

Russ Troutt (291 KP) rated Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019) in Movies
Jul 13, 2019

Sherlock, Jr. (1924)
Movie
A kindly movie projectionist (Buster Keaton) longs to be a detective. When his fiancée (Kathryn...

The Ballad of John Latouche: An American Lyricist's Life and Work
Book
Born into a poor Virginian family, John Treville Latouche (1914-56), in his short life, made a...

BankofMarquis (1832 KP) rated Rent: Filmed Live On Broadway (2008) in Movies
Jul 10, 2020
The 1990's brought us a "rock musical" that focused on a global pandemic set against the backdrop of social protesting and racial injustices (sound familiar), this musical is Jonathan Larson's RENT.
Following (loosely) the plot of the 1896 opera LA BOHEME, RENT tells the tale of disaffected artists trying to live and love (and make rent) while living their lives the way they wish to live it. Writer Jonathan Larson (who passed, suddenly, the day before previews began) created a powerful, rock driven, story that is poignant, sad and hopeful all at the same time. The original Broadway production Iwhich I am bragging that I saw 2x with the original cast) brought such talent as Jesse L. Martin, Anthony Rapp, Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel to the forefront.
But...skip the film version of this musical (starring most of the original cast) that came out in 2005. It is purfunctuary and lifeless. Instead, seek out the 2008 RENT: FILMED LIVE ON BROADWAY. Like Hamilton, this is a filmed version of the stage show and is able to capture the power and emotion that only live theater can provide.
The cast in this production is outstanding - with the standout being (no surprise) a young Renee Elise Goldsberry (Angelica Schulyer in Hamilton) who shines brightly as Mimi.
Like Hamilton, Rent showcases the power - and purpose - of live theater. A place that I cannot wait to go to again in 2021.
Letter Grade: A-
8 stars (out of 10) and you can take that to the Bank (ofMarquis)

Andras Visky's Barrack Dramaturgy: Memories of the Body
Book
Widely considered one of the most innovative voices in Hungarian theater, Andras Visky has enjoyed...