Get out the Kleenex boys and girls! If you are looking for a musical about sex, drugs, and rock-n-roll, this isn’t for you. While RENT includes these components, the story line focuses on what’s outside of the box: Who are these people? What is happening to them? Where can they go in time of need? Why is society treating them as being disposable? While this musical will have you dancing around and getting that adrenaline pumping it will also have you cuddling with your tissues and wishing you could jump in and help.
A story of young artists, Rent employs eight main characters. Mark is a starving artist who embellishes on his film making. Roger is a starving musician that made choices along the way that resulted in him contracting HIV. Benny is a fellow Bohemian, once friend, and is now the landlord. Angel is a cross dresser who enjoys playing the drums; he also has contracted Aids. Tom Collins, or Collins, is a traveling university professor of philosophy who falls in love with Angel, and also suffers from Aids. Mimi is a night time exotic dancer and drug addict, who also has contracted HIV. Joanne is a lesbian lawyer who falls for Maureen. Maureen is a bisexual starving artist, who once dated Mark and is now pledging her future to Joanne.
And who can even mention the musical Rent without mentioning Jonathan Larson? Larson exemplified his unique writing style when he wrote Rent; a musical about alternate lifestyles, drug addiction, Aids, and death. In fact, Larson was so adamant towards this musical that he waited tables at a diner while composing songs for the musical. It is a rock musical written with a Bohemian twist, and depicting the lives of individuals affected by HIV and Aids. It is a story about love, life, and friendship. It is a story of hidden hope and the contributions that all individuals give back to society.
Each character had dreams, some were shattered and some were not. You will see the lives of the characters blossoming and then some plummeting. You will witness the effects of living the lifestyles that these characters lead. You will be overcome with excitement as the cast dances and sings La Vie Boheme; you will fall in love once again; you will be filled with sorrow when death is knocking. You will be taken in and emotionally moved by the intricate details that Larson implemented into this musical web. The musical Rent is a must see for those that wish to make a difference in their individual life and those who wish to change our future!