RENT closing night in Tokyo

Closing Night for RENT in Tokyo!!

Rockstars for a Night!!

Saturday night after both shows the Japanese producers threw a closing night party for the cast and crew of the Benny Company and the Japanese crew we worked with. We couldn't believe the amazing foods spread before us. We all ate, took pictures with our new friends from the other side of the world, chatted, and toasts were made. Then, we Bennys were suprised to hear that the Japanese cast had prepared to sing Seasons of Love to us in Japanese!! It was beautiful! They all sang out and we sat and listened in awe and appreciation. Then, as if everything they had done for us wasn't enough, they gave us each gifts to remember them and Japan. We shared a large circle and did a Japanese finger slapping ritual before saying goodbye for the night. It was such a warm atmosphere and we left with warm fuzzies in our stomaches and smiles on our faces. My favorite toast was made by one of the Japanese producers who said, "No Day But Tomorrow!" which was our closing.

Sunday's matinee came and went with a game of scrabble backstage. And then, after two weeks of hanging out backstage listening to the roar of the crowd through the speakers and peeking at the audience from the wings backstage, I finally went on for the final show in Tokyo...as Joanne! I had a feeling that I wasn't going to have the opportunity to perform for the Japanese audience at all during the two weeks that we were there. As a swing, sometimes weeks do pass without us being on the stage. This is a good thing because it means no one has been ill, hurt, hoarse, or, taken leave. It makes for a lot of free time for swings though, and because we are all "performers" it is usually a pleasure for us to go on stage when the need arises. So here we were in Japan and it was the very last show, so I was very excited when I found out I was going to have the chance to perform as Joanne. :)

Upon entering the stage we received a thunderous applause which then politely ceased so that Matt could begin his "We begin on Christmas Eve" monologue. This was so unusually respectful, and quite enthusiastic, that it gave an indication of how the entire show would be received that night. Of course the audience LOVED Shaun Earl and his "Today for You", Jake was applauded every single show for his "honest living" junkee, "Glory" was amazing, "Take Me or Leave Me" was soooooooo much fun with Erin Keaney (who they also adored), Mark's "I'll Cover You Reprise" was THOROUGHLY appreciated, and "Goodbye Love" was gripping. The show was very fresh and strong from every single actor.

When the final "No Day But Today" was sung in the finale, the crowd began to roar with thuderous applause and screams. And they didn't stop. We took all of our bows including the bows that were added especially for the appreciative Tokyo audiences. The band took their bow (YEAH!!) and then the cast came out one more time to bow with them. Then we all left the stage and headed for our dressing rooms and home. But as we changed our clothes upstairs, the applause never faded. It was surreal. They began to clap together, then again randomly and strong. Finally we (the girls) were dressed in our street clothes and we just had to go back down to give these people another bow to show our thanks for their support. And we weren't the only ones!! Everyone in the cast (minus the swings that had already left but plus Jackie), the band, and some crew all came out to the stage to see that no one had left the theatre! The stage had been empty for quite a few minutes but no one left! It was a rock concert!!! The sweet fans were up at the edge of the stage reaching for us and smiling hugely. WOW. They were taking pictures of us but I wanted pictures of them! So I took a couple that I will cherish. Then we finally left the stage to go home, and the audience left to go do the same.

On behalf of the entire RENT Benny Company, "Thank You Tokyo".

We're off to Hawaii!! Let's get this show on the road.