Updating my resume (for real, this time) while listening to RENT: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (breaking out into gut-busting song every thirty seconds)….

Funny, because the arrangements are newer, and in my opinion, better than the original broadway recording – but still scream: “Look! I’m a musical score that’s dressed up like a pop album!” This somehow makes me feel less guilty about listening to it, like I’m connecting to my showtune-loving past! Nostalgia!

The cast is the same, excepting “Mimi,” replaced with Rosario Dawson, for which I am so thankful, because everyone knows the original Mimi was ridiculously annoying.  Much like this post. But they sound older… and I’m older.  My Rent-Head days were long gone, and I had forgotten how obsessed I was about this show until the Rent-Hype starting coming ’round again in the form of promotion for the movie.

I was pleasantly surprised when Damon mentioned that he had wanted to see it.  By that, I mean I searched his eyes for any signal that said, “I really don’t want to, but I assumed you wanted to, you sick sick musical freak of nature.”
I got to wondering if on opening night there will be a massive choral uprising from die-hard Rent fans, harmonizing in song.  In this light, I will be uncomfortable for two reasons:

1) Uncomfortable, for taking my brand spankin’ new boyfriend, who’s never seen RENT, to this spectacle of gathered former choir kids.

2) Uncomfortable, for denying myself association with said choir kids, thus repressing the urge to belt every note, even though that’s my natural inclination. 

I’ve concluded that RENT is my Star Wars, if you will.  My Lord of the Rings.  My Harry Potter.  Bringing Damon to RENT is like the Star Wars freak bringing his new girlfriend to Episode III and asking her to carry his light sabre.  If we can last through that night without him saying he’s “getting up to go to the bathroom”…”for the rest of the night”… “and by night, I mean forever,” this relationship just might survive afterall.