The New Year's Eve sequence was turned into an actual party for the cast and crew, and the celebrating was real.
Taye Diggs (Benny) and Idina Menzel (Maureen) fell in love while performing as part of the original Broadway cast and were married for 10 years, before separating in 2013.
Taye Diggs (Benny), Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Angel), Jesse L. Martin (Collins), Idina Menzel (Maureen), Adam Pascal (Roger), and Anthony Rapp (Mark) are all from the original Broadway cast of "Rent" in 1996 and are playing their original roles.
During "The Tango Maureen", the eyebrow lift and jacket toss were added because the actors were having fun during rehearsals and the director Chris Columbus liked it.
Rosario Dawson has said she choreographed an elaborate routine for her audition song "Out Tonight". During her actual screen test, she was so nervous she could barely move. Convinced she had blown her audition, she left the room disappointed. However, director Chris Columbus was so impressed, he ran after her and cast her on the spot.
Keith Young: the film's choreographer is the man who catches the pool cue Maureen throws in "Take Me or Leave Me".