RENT News: Post from "Who's Your Favorite RENThead" Finalist Sandy
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| "Who's Your Favorite RENThead" Winner Kyle with Anthony Rapp and Finalists Sandy and Zuri |
It still seems unreal to me that I won a contest that enabled me to go to such a thing as the World Premiere of RENT. As a fan of the show for the last eight years, I have sat on a sidewalk for hours (in some cases, days) waiting for rush seats, met some of my closest friends, played lotto at the Nederlander with hundreds of others and spent hours online talking with other fans, obsessing over minute details of the score and analyzing what certain lines mean and which actor sings the best "Glory". All of these things combined could not add up to the evening I had last Thursday. When I received the phone call that I was going to the premiere, I jumped around my house, screaming. It seemed surreal that someone like me, someone who loved this thing, this show, so much was actually going to get to go. I felt overwhelmed and immediately began obsessing over what to wear, who I might see and how I was supposed to act. All my friends and family, even ones who have never seen Rent, but know how much I love it, were excited for me. I counted down the days and minutes until the day and suddenly it was here! The Ziegfield Theater is a beautiful, old movie theater that felt glamorous inside. After I crossed the velvet ropes and received my tickets, I was ushered inside. I was able to catch a glance of Anthony Rapp's limo arriving and I even waved to the fans across the street. I couldn't believe that I was on the other side of the barrier, it felt strange and unfamiliar. The movie tickets had assigned seats, and mine were in the front row. My date, by the way, was my friend Ari, who I met at Rent five years ago. She and I have become very good friends over the year and it was exciting for me to share this all with her. My husband, who I left behind at home, knew that she and I would have a much better time than if he were to be my date. Our seats were in the front row, the "renthead" seats, if you will. We were seated next to Kyle and his friend and the four us chatted and looked for Zuri and for glances of the stars of the movie. It seemed like were sitting there for hours, when finally the lights dimmed and the introduction speech began. Chris Columbus, the cast, Al, Nan and Julie Larson all stood up and the audience cheered and cheered for all of them. It was a sold out, excited crowd. The room was definitely buzzing. When the picture started, the audience once again erupted in applause and continued for every key player as his or her name appeared on the screen. I won't spoil the movie for you guys, but after every great song, we clapped and cheered. It felt strange to applaud a movie screen, but we couldn't help ourselves. For me, it was a combination of my life as a fan of the show and the hard work that the people who made this movie that drove me to continually clap and cry. I felt this movie was made for me, and all of my fellow fans. It is a gift from Chris Columbus and the cast, to us, the fans. After the screening, Ari and I made our way to the after party. I still couldn't believe that I was going to a Hollywood type party. Who hasn't dreamed of such a thing? And for it to be for RENT, it was just too perfect. When we entered the Roseland Ballroom, I was immediately taken in by the decor. They had turned it into a replica of Alphabet City, including fake burning garbage cans and flyers plastered all over the walls. Even the downstairs coat check was designed to feel like you were in a subway station (complete with a saxophone player, with a guitar case lined in Mimi-like animal print fur). Amy, who recognized me as a winner, greeted us and she offered to take us around to meet the cast. All of them were so warm and excited and very patient with their time. It was very neat when they recognized me from the blog, since I had been a fan of theirs for so long. The party was crazy, there were so many people and people were just buzzing about the movie and who was there and what was going on. There were moments that I had to step back and take it all in. It was incredible evening and I have to thank each and every one of you that voted. You made a dream I didn't even know I had come true for me. For one night, I was able to enter this world that I have loved for so long. I'll honestly never forget it. Thank you all again! |
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Comments
Congratulations! A true RENThead. Well deserved.
Posted by: Alex on 11/24/05 at 10:12 AM
GAAD TO HEAR YOU HAD A GREAT TIME
Posted by: Mickey on 11/24/05 at 10:14 AM
Congrats, girl!!! You deserved it and I'm so glad you had a great time at the premier! The movie was amazing, wasn't it??!!! I saw it yesterday at it's first showing here... I bawled through most of the second half... LOVED it. Such an interesting and effective dichotomy from the stage show. Loved it.... cannot possibly saw enough about it!
-Chris <><
Posted by: Chris on 11/24/05 at 10:25 AM
Wax Lion!!
Ahem.
It sounds like it was a lot of fun, and I'm so glad that you guys had the opportunity to go. :-)
Posted by: Amanda on 11/24/05 at 10:28 AM
Thats Awesome! You Desevre it. Congratulations.
Posted by: julia on 11/24/05 at 10:29 AM
You are sooo lucky. I'm glad you had fun.
Posted by: Sarah on 11/24/05 at 10:32 AM
Congratulations Sandy! You so deserved this, beautiful description by the way.
My god I am dying of laughter that Anthony is holding Wax Lion.
Posted by: Joliz on 11/24/05 at 10:33 AM
WAX LION!!
Posted by: colleen_lee on 11/24/05 at 10:33 AM
Congrats! That night sounded so cool! The movie was AMAZING, I have to agree with you there. It's really cool that you love Rent so much and got to experience this!
-Katie L
Posted by: Katie L on 11/24/05 at 10:37 AM
That's such an amazing experience for you...I'm so happy for you that you got to do this! Jealous of coarse, but not in a green monster sort of way!
Posted by: Emma Hunter on 11/24/05 at 10:38 AM
your so lucky! Congrats girl!
Posted by: Amanda M on 11/24/05 at 10:39 AM
Awwm that was so sweet! I'm glad you got to go, and glad you had such a great time. I saw it last night, and it was SPECTACULAR! I cried so much. You really deserved to go!
Becks
Posted by: Rebecca on 11/24/05 at 10:44 AM
Congrats! Youre so lucky, its great to hear how amazing the premire was for you! It was such an amazing movie, and it made me think, and im still thinking about it. Ive singing the songs around my house constatnly.my mom thinks im physco. Im in LOVE. CONGRATSSS!!!!
Ilana
Posted by: Ilana on 11/24/05 at 10:46 AM
I'm so happy for you...its great to know that every fan has a chance and that things like this really do happen...glad you had a great time!
Andrea
Posted by: Andrea on 11/24/05 at 10:52 AM
Congrats hun! Glad to hear your night was that memorable!!!
Posted by: Cassie on 11/24/05 at 11:06 AM
I am so happy you had a good time, It sounds amazing! Congrats!
Posted by: Jami on 11/24/05 at 11:08 AM
I love RENTheads!! CONGRATS YOU SO DESERVED it! THIS MOVIE IS SOOO AMAZING! I haven't cried that much in god knows how long or sweated so much since I was in track! I was speechless after, I couldn't speak! I thought I was gonnahave an anxiety attack! So lucky you met these beautiful people! CONGRATS!!!!
xoxo, Shannon
Posted by: Shannon on 11/24/05 at 11:25 AM
yay sandy! great review, nobody more deserving! the dress looks great!
!!!
Posted by: Travis on 11/24/05 at 11:29 AM
Congratulations, you deserved it so much! I'm glad you had such a great time. What an amazing movie, and your story makes me enjoy it even more!
Posted by: Allie on 11/24/05 at 11:39 AM
Thats incredible that you were able to attend the world premiere and meet the cast. I saw the movie yesterday and absolutely loved it (Without You made me cry ALOT). I'm glad you and the other two true RENTheads were able to experience something such as that.
Posted by: Nick on 11/24/05 at 11:42 AM
OOO, wow! Yes, you did deserve this and Im lying here in agony of jeolosy. I wont see the movie for months (stupit Iceland). Well, Im thrilled that you had a good time! Congrats again
love,
Inga from iceland
Posted by: Inga Ausa on 11/24/05 at 11:51 AM
Congratulations!
You truely deserved this. Although I voted for everyone as my opinion changed over and over again, I'm definitely glad you made it that far and I got to vote for you.
I'm glad you had fun! I love the picture!
~Nora
Posted by: Nora on 11/24/05 at 11:52 AM
You so deserved to be there, Sandy.
You have helped make it possible for this online community of RENTheads and fans to connect for years now, and for that you are a precious and honored member of the RENT legend now, and forever. Thanks for sharing bits of what I can only imagine was an experience of a lifetime.
And thanks for expressing the fact that this film is a gift from Chris and the cast for us, the fans. It truly is, and I know, for one, I am grateful too. And to the Larson family too, it is a gift FOR them, and a gift FROM them, to all of us, and the world.
Posted by: Richard on 11/24/05 at 11:57 AM
Congrats! It was so great reading your story abd I'm so happy for you! You deserved it.
Posted by: Courtney on 11/24/05 at 11:58 AM
Congrats!!!!! You really did deserve it and it's awesome that you had fun!
<3
Stephy G
Posted by: Stephy G on 11/24/05 at 12:00 PM
Congrats!!! that sounds like a blast!!!!! The movie was amazing wasn't it! i saw it for the second time this morning :-)
Love to all
Khalehla
Posted by: Khalehla on 11/24/05 at 12:15 PM
Awwwww that's great! I thought I might feel jealous but no, it really sounds like you deserved it and had a great time and I'm so happy for you.
~One of the fans across the street you waved to at the premiere = P
Posted by: Sylvia on 11/24/05 at 12:18 PM
Congrats, Sandy! You earned the right to go to the premiere simply for starting up Compulsive Bowlers! (I'm 'dyingcat', by the way, lol) You're the ultimate RENThead, and I agree, the movie is a wonderful experience.
Posted by: Carrie on 11/24/05 at 12:45 PM
Oh, lord, you are SO lucky. That must have been an amazing experience.
I'm seeing Idina's show on Saturday! I could not be happier.
Posted by: Shae on 11/24/05 at 01:09 PM
awesome! u lucky bum but i am glad u had a dandy time!
Stefie<3
i heart Wilson
Posted by: Stefanie on 11/24/05 at 01:11 PM
wow, i am so happy for you! Congrats! I'm happy that you had an amazing time. DREAMS DO COME TRUE!
Posted by: nick on 11/24/05 at 01:25 PM
I'm so glad you had such a great time! You truly deserved it.
Posted by: Alison on 11/24/05 at 01:35 PM
congrats! I so wish i could meet the cast... and i wish i had the money to fly to NY and see the show on stage... =( its not fair!!!!! grr anyways, i will one day.. maybe i can save enough money up this summer... stupid college sucking up all my money. Anyways.. im glad you had a blast!
Posted by: Kayla N on 11/24/05 at 01:35 PM
I AM SO JEALOUS!!! you are so lucky!! im glad you had such a good time!!!
Posted by: Katie on 11/24/05 at 01:38 PM
I'm really happy you got to go, Sandy. Your love for RENT is obvious and I wanted to vote for someone I knew would really, really appreciate the evening. I'm so glad you enjoyed it and had fun and met everyone. Good for you, dear.
Posted by: Lorelei on 11/24/05 at 01:58 PM
Congratulations! You seem like you had so much fun and you deserved. As a fellow renthead, I felt well represented to have you there. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
Posted by: Becky on 11/24/05 at 01:59 PM
That's so awesome! It's nice to see that you enjoyed your time. That must of been the experience of a lifetime. The cast of RENT are extremely talented and amazing. You are a very lucky girl. :)
*Natalie*
Posted by: Natalie on 11/24/05 at 02:21 PM
ohh emm geee---its WAX LION.
Posted by: Melanie on 11/24/05 at 02:23 PM
Lucky Bastard! Nice job! I'm jelouse.
Posted by: dhiraj Chand on 11/24/05 at 02:43 PM
im so jealous...congrats =)
Posted by: Matt on 11/24/05 at 03:02 PM
What a wonderful report, it sounds like you had an incredible time! Congratulations and I am so glad to hear that it was an amazing experience for you. I love to hear about good things coming RENTheads way. :)
Posted by: Lucy on 11/24/05 at 03:21 PM
Congradulations! We're all so glad that you enjoyed yourself! Just think of what an awesome story you have to share with everyone. :D
<33
Emily
Posted by: Emily on 11/24/05 at 03:33 PM
YAY ummm.... YAY
Posted by: Louis on 11/24/05 at 03:42 PM
congrats! im glad you had a great time! gosh. you're so lucky!
Posted by: kelso on 11/24/05 at 04:17 PM
congrats on going to premier! it sounds like it was a great time, and as jealous as i am, i'm also really happy that a fan such as yourself could find an opportunity such as seeing the premier of Rent. I can't even imagine what it would be like to meet the cast in person, you're so lucky! congratulations again!
Posted by: stephanie on 11/24/05 at 05:12 PM
Wow..what an excellent movie. It was very cool. I was singing throughout the movie (to myself), and I stayed to every single credit. I waited so long for a movie and it was just unbelievable. I will be seeing it again and waiting for it to be on DVD.
Posted by: Mike on 11/24/05 at 05:49 PM
hey sandy!
that's so wonderful! I'm so glad you had such an amazing experience. my experience at the midnight showing @ the ziegfeld was surreal, so i can't even imagine how yours was! congratulations!
-Jenn
Bronx, NY
Posted by: Jenn on 11/24/05 at 06:14 PM
I am so excited that you had this experience! I went to the opening night of RENT and I can't put into words how it has changed me. It was a religious experience, to say the least. I cannot imagine what it would be like to go to something like that and meet that people that made these charachters come alive for us. I have been a Renthead for some time now, and I know you represented us well. Congratulations...you deserved it!
Posted by: Natalie on 11/24/05 at 06:30 PM
What an amazing experience for you to treasure! You're so lucky. Thanks for letting us live vicariously through you.
Posted by: Rosa on 11/24/05 at 06:44 PM
Sandy.
You totally deserved it for ALL you've done for RENTheads, created a message board for all of us. You totally deserved it.
To the cast- You guys did an AWESOME job. I woried about the movie, but it turned out well. Now my friends are RENTheads as well.
<3
Posted by: Christa on 11/24/05 at 06:47 PM
YAY SANDY! Awesome that you had such a good time.
Posted by: Fizz on 11/24/05 at 07:17 PM
Awesome! I'm so glad someone who would truly appreciate such an evening got to experience this for all of us. Thanks for sharing and for letting us experience this vicariously through you.
Posted by: George on 11/24/05 at 08:23 PM
Sandy, I love you. I would have your children if that were biologically possible at this point in time and you weren't married. Beautiful remembrance.
-zuri
Posted by: Zuri on 11/24/05 at 10:48 PM
*sigh*. Though this is the 340538309th time this has been said...WAX LION!
You are SO lucky, and I am beyond jealous of you, but I have to say, I'm very glad you won. You deserved it. And thank you for your description; it was nice to get a fellow Renthead's perspective on all of it.
It's such a comfort to know that there are people out there who feel the same way about the show as I do, thank you for...existing, I guess. Heh.
~Serena~
Posted by: Serena on 11/25/05 at 12:25 AM
Congrats on your wonderful experience. I for one am very glad that you were able to partake in it. Yay for you!
And wow, Wax Lion really did attend the premiere.
That makes me infinitely happy.
~Steven
Posted by: Steven on 11/25/05 at 12:33 AM
Since the questions have been answered maaaany times now, I'll just comment on the movie :-)
It was sooo great. Meeting/taking pictures with Anthony, Tracie, and Ms. Dawson was probably a once in a lifetime experience, so I'm very grateful I got to do that!
Once again, thank you cast and Chris Columbus for making this movie great and staying true to Jonathan Larson. Can't wait for the DVD releaase!
Posted by: Joey on 11/25/05 at 06:41 AM
Congrats, Sandy. Glad you had fun!
and I love how Anthony is holding Wax Lion! I freaked out when I saw that. :)
Posted by: Jill on 11/25/05 at 07:22 AM
Congrats...glad that you enjoyed your night among the stars.
Dreams do come true.
pineapple
Posted by: Connie Pina aka Pineapple on 11/25/05 at 07:47 AM
I'm dying to watch this movie!! But i heard rhe reviews i know it's great... regards from MEXICO
karlo
Posted by: Karlo Carrillo on 11/25/05 at 08:56 AM
God Bless you Sandy! Congratulations! You deserved it!
Posted by: Marty on 11/25/05 at 10:17 AM
Congrats!!!! <33
Posted by: Annie on 11/25/05 at 12:25 PM
WAX LION!!! Ahhh......hehehe
Posted by: Stacey on 11/25/05 at 01:53 PM
Awww that is awesome Sandy!! Congrats!!! You deserved that night totally. I am happy you had such a great time and that everyone made you feel welcome.
*HUGZ* Thanks for sharing that wonderful experience!
~Muse~
Posted by: Muse on 11/25/05 at 01:56 PM
HEY GUYS I JUST SAW RENT IT TOUCH ME SOO MUCH YOU GUYS ARE AWSOME
Posted by: samatha b on 11/25/05 at 06:15 PM
Congradulations Sandy!! Sounds like it was really fun!! You totally deserved it!! But, uh... Am I missing something?? I saw the movie twice, but I'm still kinda confused. What's the "wax lion" that Anthony's holding??? Movie was AWESOME and really sad, though... but SO COOL!!!
Posted by: Emma on 11/25/05 at 08:13 PM
I'm jealous, but you all really did deserve it! Great review, btw!
Posted by: Layah on 11/25/05 at 09:17 PM
PS, the Wonderfalls wax lion dressed as Mark rocks my socks!!
Posted by: Amanda on 11/26/05 at 05:59 AM
This is sort of a late comment but oh well.Congratz!I'm glad to hear you had fun!I saw it on the 23rd with my friend,we laughed,we cried,we fell(After everyone left we were dancing around singing Out Tonight and Another Day when we fell down the steps)and we got kicked out by the cleaning people.(lol)
Posted by: Vanessa on 11/26/05 at 10:04 AM
Hey congratulations! I wish I could have been there! I have already seen it twice. Teehee. It was ABSOLUTELEY AMAZING. I cried in the first scene (Seasons of Love). I thought it was a good choice to make that the first scene. Anyway, I absoluteley more than loved it and I'm not sure how to even put it in words how much it touched me. I love you cast! Congratulations to all that were involved in the film. It came out well! Actually, a lot more than well but you get the picture. Congrats to you finalists and winners! thank you cast! I love you.
X's and O's,
RENThead Maya
Posted by: Maya on 11/26/05 at 01:11 PM
That's amazing!! Good for you =)
Posted by: Dana Tan on 11/27/05 at 09:40 AM
ohh i saw the movie and i fell instantly in love with Mark(Anthany Rapp) i soo wish i could have been in your shoes!!!!
Posted by: Lauren on 11/27/05 at 10:02 AM
hahaha I love Wax Lion *ahem*
Anthony rocks the world
Congrats Sandy that must have been one hell of an experience. So lucky you are.
Posted by: Di on 11/27/05 at 11:29 AM
For some reason after I saw the movie my life is changed forever. It was like something came over me and now I can't stop thinking about this story and these people. You are amazing and your charatchers really influenced me in a way I can't even explain. Thank you. You are all amazing.
Posted by: Jaime on 11/27/05 at 01:55 PM
Congrats!!! That's such a great story, and I'm really happy for you.
Posted by: Samantha on 11/27/05 at 02:58 PM
Congrats! That`s amazing!! You are soo lucky!! That was probably a definate "best moment of my life" experience!!
I am soooo glad that the movie came out (Now when I tell people I am OBSESSED with RENT they don`t think I have a mental problem...- You like paying the Rent??) lol.
The Movie was amazing! The Music Fantabulous! (I`ve already seen the movie twice and am going again- with FREE passes!! YAY!)
*sigh* Adam Pascal! lol... And my friend LOVES Anthony Rapp!
Has anyone noticed how at the end of the credits it said- "Thank YOU Jonathan Larson..'
??
I was SOOO touched!
But people still don`t know who wrote Rent..
*EURG!*
Anyway- if a person could go soo off topic.. ;)
Congrats! (Mazel Tov- as Mark might say)
YOU GO GIRL!!
Posted by: Melissa on 11/27/05 at 04:52 PM
I'm a "Rent"-virgin no more. I laughed and cried and clapped, and wished I'd seen it live. I LOVE the movie, love the characters every one, and Anthony Rapp is a freakin'love god!!
Thank you and bless you, Jonathan...rest well.
Posted by: Elaine on 11/27/05 at 05:56 PM
OMG I am so jealous. I wish I lived in NYC so I could've been there. LA is cool, but NYC is the birthplace and home of RENT. Although, RENT shows true the saying of "home is where the heart is" since it is in all our hearts.
Posted by: Laura on 11/28/05 at 09:57 AM
i absolutely love that picture of all of you! and, aw, wax lion is there!
sandy, you truly are a RENThead! i'm so glad that you were able to go and have this experience, and then share it all with us.
much love, xoxoxox
Posted by: jackie on 12/03/05 at 01:21 PM
