In 1996, the composer and playwright Jonathan Larson gave the world a song which alters the course of lives, and will continue to alter the course of lives yet to come, around this globe. And, the day before his intense and thoughtfully powerful play, which includes this song of dynamic reflection, was to premiere – he died.
His show is RENT, his song is “Seasons of Love”.
Jonathan never heard the audience’s thunderous applause that opening night.
He never saw the repeated standing ovations night after night.
He never watched the “Sold out” signs go in the box-office windows of theatres around the world for over a decade.
He never read the glorious reviews and stunning reactions to the power of his masterpiece.
Jonathan did not walk down the aisle and bound up onto the stage to excitedly grasp the three Tony Awards presented to him for “RENT” for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score by the American Theatre Wing.
Nor did he have the chance to receive the thrilling notice of “RENT” being awarded two prestigious Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Book.
And, he never knew he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Jonathan’s song is about measuring one year, about the 525,600 minutes that make up one year.
If Jonathan had known that the 525,600 minutes prior to the opening of his show were the only minutes he had left would he have lived them differently?
We’ll never know.
But in those 525,600 minutes that Jonathan celebrates in song he filled the world with ideas, friendship, laughter, music, thought, love. And yes, since he was putting up a large production with a cast and crew who were looking to him for confidence and comfort, he probably had his fine share of fear, worry, angst and insecurity too. But, Jonathan lived those 525,600 minutes. He LIVED them!!!
Hell, he embraced them!!!
And, we are all the better for Jonathan’s willingness to share his 525,600 minutes!!
Additionally, I believe in his song he is asking us ALL to share ours with each other.
Now, lastly, it’s my opinion, Jonathan –
DID hear the audience’s thunderous applause that opening night…
SAW repeated standing ovations night after night….
WATCHED “Sold out” signs go in the box-office windows of theatres around the world for over a decade….
READ the glorious reviews and stunning reactions to the power of his masterpiece….
And IN SPIRIT WALKED DOWN the aisle and BOUNDED UP onto the stage to EXCITEDLY GRASP those three Tony Awards…..
DID have the chance to receive the thrilling notice of “RENT” being awarded two prestigious Drama Desk Awards….
And, DEFINITELY KNOWS he was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
….AND THAT HE DESERVED THEM ALL!!!!
Thank you Jonathan.
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