RENT at rockdale or penrith?

I saw both Canberra and Rockdale's Production of Rent and was involved with the Penrith's Production. Some very interesting comments and yes as an audience member you have every right to your opinion - however if it is a case of getting a rise from people involved some comments did exactly that while in general it was good to see that there were positive constructive criticisms. However there is one very important issue and that it is live theatre and every cast is different and in the preparation stage the show should evolve - the vision is a common ground and then everyone's input is important. With reference to the tempos - yes they were different and that is deliberate - some comments referred to the fact that there were energy and tempo does have something to do with that. At the same time it is also sung through and there are times where the tempo needs to move with the context on stage - I refer to Act II - Happy New Year B - what good is imitating the Broadway orginial cast recording. At the same time may would not be aware that the vocal selection that is available for purchase is not the same as the actual vocal score and there are differences melodically also - Look at what is actually written in Take Me Or Leave Me. There are no metronomic markings on the score except for One Song Glory and also there is actually scored for electronic kit. Both Rockdale and Us used an electronic drum kit - that was deliberate for the sounds and also from knowledge of the Acoustics of that stage - it's a concert hall stage and live kit is deadly in there. There were technical problems but there are very very few amateur productions that can claim that they are flawless in that respect. Actually I remembered seeing the Sydney Pro of Rent where one of the mics weren't working and a stage crew came on to hand a mic to a lead. Techno sound is appropriate to where it needed to be for this production - With the number of amateur productions in one year it is good that they are different - not just different local but different interpretations and the support that the amateur communities gives to each other is fantastic. I went and saw the other two productions not to spy but to genuinely support and thanks to Rockdale who came to Closing nite - their support was overwhelming. And there are two more productions of RENT - which I will also go to see. Finally I also found the term Filipino Drag Queen insulting and I'm not Filo but there is a line that refers to Angel as a "Queen in Drag" - so be it. Make it your own