Renthead

"December 24th, Ten PM Eastern
Standard Time...
I Can't Believe A Year Went By So Fast...
Time To See-What We Have Time To See...
Turn The Projector On..."
This line starts the finale of the musical "Rent".Being a "renthead" myself, I just got the DVD of the movie version and have been playing it over and over ever since.It brings me back to 1996 when I first saw it in Broadway at the Nederlander theater, having braved the bitter cold of winter to line up and get the $20 front row seats.You can see and hear the cast up close and somehow imbibe the energy they exude.The moment the lights are turned down and the oh so familiar line "December 24th, 9PM Eastern standard time from here on in I shoot without a script..."is sung by Mark, the magic begins. It continues till the company takes their final bows and you still carry that energy when you get home.My CD player then was set to repeat both CD's of original broadway soundtrack so that when I get off the subway or taking the ferry to Statue island, I have "What You Own" or "Light my candle" blasting away.However superficial it may sound, I found listening to Jonathan Larson's words and music inspiring and comforting during my stay in NYC. At that time, I felt like I connected with the characters struggle, having been in the US for interviews, and shared their frustrations,failures and aspirations. I can't believe a whole decade went by so fast...but here I am still a "renthead" and mighty proud of it...Viva la vie boheme...No day but today.