RENT-head
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 1000 times (more times than some of the performers ever appeared in RENT).
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 the summer of 1997, after it had become common for fans to sleep overnight in line for tickets, the line for $20 tickets was replaced by a lottery.
The term RENThead now used for anyone who considers themselves obsessed with RENT, either through stage version or the film. Early on, RENT-heads were also called "squatters", a reference to one of the squatters in the show.
[edit] References
- ^ Riedel, Michael (March 3, 1997). "Every Day a 'Rent' Party: hardcore fans of the hit musical form a squatters camp at the box office". New York Daily News [1]
- ^ Larson, Johnathan; Evelyn McDonnell with Katherine Silberger (1997). RENT. New York: Rob Weisbach Books, p. 133. ISBN 0688154379.
