In the rapidly changing world of theater, there are certain
classics that remain on Broadway and continue to travel the
national theater scene because of their timeless appeal.
“RENT,” which will be at the Wilshire Theater from
Nov. 13-17, has remained a favorite since its 1996 Broadway
opening. The show was ground-breaking in its day, as it dealt with
controversial subjects such as homosexuality and AIDS, but it would
seem to have lost some of its steam seven years later. Some of the
hot issues it addressed have become lukewarm, especially in the
wake of such media-dominating events like Sept. 11, 2001.
However, the play is still going strong on national tours and on
Broadway. In fact, “RENT” just surpassed “My Fair
Lady” on Broadway to become the 14th longest-running musical
of all time, and has maintained pop culture appeal with recent cast
addition Joey Fatone of *NSync. Though it’s no longer new,
many people at UCLA and across the United States still love the
musical.
“I remember always getting excited when my friends and I
would (listen to) “˜RENT’ on a Friday night and sing
along to it,” Olivia McManus, a second-year music theater
student said. “It’s not the type of play you only see
once ““ it touches you in a way that you are constantly
reminded of daily because you learn to relate to the
characters.”
Based on Puccini’s “La Boheme,” Jonathan
Larson’s musical recalls the story of love and loyalty among
starving artists in New York’s East Village, where drugs, sex
and drag queens run rampant. It was seen by many as revolutionary
theater because it incorporated certain issues ““
homosexuality, drug use and poverty ““ that were not always
openly discussed.
“”˜RENT’s’ plot is one that deals with
contemporary issues and is presented in a context everyone can
appreciate,” said Natalie Liberatore, a second-year
communication studies student.
But there are some skeptical theatergoers that feel
“RENT” has run its course as a musical and lacks a
certain “classy” Broadway appeal.
“”˜RENT’ is the kind of play you see when
you’re not in the mood for something classic, but rather in
the mood to see an extreme social commentary on modern issues that
don’t really play a role in your life,” said Michele
Roeder, a UCLA alumna and avid theatergoer. “It’s not
that it’s completely horrible, but that it’s more
suited for an immature audience who doesn’t appreciate the
value of true theater.”
While the musical touches on many issues, one that continues to
affect crowds is the inclusion of HIV-positive characters and the
focus on their diminishing lives. For many audience members, this
addition was emotionally eye-opening because when the play first
started, people didn’t know anyone who was living with HIV,
or the real ramifications of the virus.
“When I first saw “˜RENT’ in New York eight
years ago, I was most affected by the physical aspects of the
characters,” said McManus. “When you see the intimate
life of an HIV-infected person and watch them die, you really feel
like getting this disease is the end of the world; it scared the
crap out of me.”
According to Liberatore, the musical didn’t explicitly aim
to scare people. Instead, she says, the musical tells a narrative
of people living with the disease. The HIV incorporation
doesn’t seem to have the same effect in today’s world
in which a variety of life-prolonging drugs are now available to
HIV patients.
“(“˜RENT’) tries so hard to shock people that
it alienates a group of people that it should aim to affect ““
an old crowd,” said Roeder.
Though “RENT” is no longer revolutionary in a
conservative theater world, some feel the broader themes of
friendship and fighting the status quo remain relevant and add to
the musical’s appeal.
“”˜RENT’ explores a real, more raw culture,
that everyone who believes in rebellion would love,” said
Liberatore. “Because it’s a musical, you can’t
help but grip yourself to these people’s lives and realize
that there is no day but today.”
“RENT” will be at the Wilshire Theater, 8440
Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills from Nov. 13-17: Wednesday and
Thursday at 8 p.m., Friday at 7 p.m. and 11 p.m., Saturday at 2
p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Seats in the
front two rows will be made available for $20 two hours prior to
the show. Call (213) 365-3500 for tickets or visit
ticketmaster.com.