When I first heard the song “Seasons of Love” on the Today’s show (or was it Good Morning America??), I ran to the nearest CD Exchange and I bought the entire soundtrack. Then, I saw the play on Broadway the year after it opened; most of the cast was original. Even today, it’s still one of my favorite musicals.

So, when I heard that they were making RENT into a movie, I became so excited. I went to see it opening day. To my surprise, I was a *bit* disappointed. (Roger / Pascal sounded horrible!!!!!) Sure, I loved the movie and I sang along in my seat but you’re right … something *WAS* missing. I don’t know what it was, but it just didn’t have the same umph that the play did. But, isn’t that life? Plays and books are always better than movies.

By the way, as a random side note, you mentioned that the play/movie makes it seem like “this neighborhood seems to have a higher HIV infection rate than the poorest parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.” Actually, during that time period, many New Yorkers will tell you that Alphabet City did. I live in New York now and every New Yorker that has lived here more than, say, 20 or 30 years says that two periods changed the city forever: (1) the late 80s and early 90s when AIDS swept through the streets like the grim reaper and (2) September 11. One period made everyone afraid of each other, and the other brought them together. Guess which is which …