[ShadowInTheWings]

Has anyone listened to the 1994 NYTW version of RENT?
Wow, it's just painful. I don't think RENT would be near the success it is today if this version had made it to Broadway, it kinda boggles the mind that this became what is known and loved as RENT today.
There's just so much wrong with it (I won't even mention the voices, because the cast has nothing to do with how bad the writing was).
Start with Right Brain. What is that!? I mean, come on, what was that song even saying.
And Mark calling himself a failure in Goodbye Love, that just felt wrong.
Nothing really sounds like it should in this version, but it's interesting to listen to it for the comparion.

Any other opinions? Anyone prefer this version to the Broadway one?

[The Very Angry Woman]

Because, inevitably, someone's going to ask:

http://bennytour.com/nytw/nytwlyrics1.htm

[Holly]

I actually really like the NYTW version. I thought there was a lot in there that shouldn't have been cut out. (I haven't listened to it in a long time, though, so I forget exactly what...)

[what_the_heck013]

I flipped through some of the lyrics. I like how they used a "Light My Candle" reprise in the finale. Where can one get ahold of the NYTW recording?

[The Very Angry Woman]

[what_the_heck013]

[ShadowInTheWings]

There actually is a bootleg floating around, you just have to get ahold of it.
And I don't believe that topless dancing anywhere is required.
But if you're really nice, we might let you do it anyway.

[DramaRobin2002]

I definitely do not prefer it to the final cut of the show, but there are some moments that I really liked. I especially loved the Mark and Maureen stuff during La Vie Boheme, though its been a few years since I've listened to the NYTW all the way through so I can't really remember specifics. Plus you actually get to see Allison. That's pretty cool .

[Valjean_Jean24601]

I used to have a cassette bootleg version that I traded online with. . way back in the days before MP3's lol.

I've looked for an MP3/Lossless version of the NYTW Rent tapes forever. . if anyone has digitized them, please let me know, for I'd LOVE a copy.

If you haven't. . if anyone has a cassette tape of it, and would be willing to copy it for me, I'd be more than happy to convert it to CD/MP3 for everyone to share.

Thanks!

~Jacob.