At the movies this weekend, one of the previews was for RENT. I didn’t know they were making it into a movie, but now that I do I’m there.

I’ve seen it onstage twice. The first time was on Broadway with the original cast, and I loved it. When they took it on the road later and came through L.A., Beth and I went to see it again. I loved it again. For all its flaws, I think it’s a powerful, moving musical.

And I’m obviously not the only one who thinks so. The preview was a montage of scenes from the upcoming movie with the song “Seasons of Love” from the play as the soundtrack, and much of the audience — me and Beth included — was singing along quietly. It made me tear up a little bit.

“Seasons of Love”

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure– measure a year?
In daylights– in sunsets
In midnights– in cups of coffee
In inches– in miles
In laughter– in strife
In–
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure a year in the life?
How about love?
How about love?
How about love?
Measure in love
Seasons of love

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Journeys to plan
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure the life
Of a woman or a man?

In truths that she learned
Or times that he cried
In bridges he burned
Or the way that she died

It’s time now– to sing out
Tho’ the story never ends
Let’s celebrate
Remember a year in the life of friends
Remember the love
Remember the love
Remember the love
Measure in love

Measure, measure your life in love
Seasons of love
Seasons of love

In diapers–reportcards
In spoke wheels–in speeding tickets
In contracts–dollars
In funerals–in births

Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you figure our last year on earth