RENT-head

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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). The term presumably derives from Deadhead, which is the common name for anyone who is an obsessed fan of the rock band Grateful Dead.

[edit] 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 outside Times Square -- to buy these tickets.[1] 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.[2] 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 in The Guardian that "Rent fans...are known colloquially as Rentheads and even more colloquially as the most annoying of all musical fans".[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ Riedel, Michael (March 3, 1997). "Every Day a 'Rent' Party: hardcore fans of the hit musical form a squatters camp at the box office": 27.  New York Daily News [1]
  2. ^ Larson, Johnathan; Evelyn McDonnell with Katherine Silberger (1997). RENT. New York: Rob Weisbach Books, p. 133. ISBN 0688154379. 
  3. ^ Nestruck, Kelly (October 9, 2007). "Noises off: From the theatre blogs": 27.  The Guardian [2]
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