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More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'

More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'

Pianolin717 Profile Photo
Pianolin717
#2re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 11:05am

ok... wtf was this woman talking about?!
this is such an ignorant statement

"If everyone on Earth were homosexual, there would be no more life. Just death," April Huddleston, a resident of Rowlett, said at the meeting."

CapnHook Profile Photo
CapnHook
#2re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 11:54am

How about they do GUYS & DOLLS instead? A show that includes immoral, illegal gambling; the forcing of a religion on a people; and immoral dancing of scantily clad female dancers.

Or how about LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS? A show that includes physical abuse of a female, drug use, murder, and strong language?

It's ridiculous. If RENT didn't include any homosexual characters, then these debates would have never come about.


"The Spectacle has, indeed, an emotional attraction of its own, but, of all the parts, it is the least artistic, and connected least with the art of poetry. For the power of Tragedy, we may be sure, is felt even apart from representation and actors. Besides, the production of spectacular effects depends more on the art of the stage machinist than on that of the poet."
--Aristotle
Updated On: 12/6/08 at 11:54 AM

Yero my Hero Profile Photo
Yero my Hero
#3re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 11:58am

Others said lyrics in the musical are anti-family and talk about hating parents.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

Yeah, because teenagers never hate their parents.


Nothing matters but knowing nothing matters. ~ Wicked
Everything in life is only for now. ~ Avenue Q
There is no future, there is no past. I live this moment as my last. ~ Rent

"He's a tramp, but I love him."

adamgreer Profile Photo
adamgreer
#4re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 12:00pm

I myself can't wait until the outcry over the inevitable, Spring Awkening: School Edition.

lotterymaster
#5re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 12:03pm

I Posted this in the other Rent: School Edition Thread:

Last year our high school did Laramie for the fall play and this year for the musical were doing Rent: School Edition. We live in a really liberal area so most people are totally fine about doing shows exploding homosexually, aids, drugs etc. For Laramie we sold out every show. I do think there is a BIG difference though from doing Laramie vs. Rent. Even though Laramie talks and discusses the topics of homosexuality it really doesn't show gay people or drag queens. Since I live only 45 minutes from the city almost every person has seen the show or at least the movie. Its always hard for our school to pick a show b/c since we live within 100 miles of the city we can't do any show on broadway even if the rights are out. Our high school is known for putting on full blown productions especially for the musical. Last year for the musical we did BATB and some how we got the money and spent 50,000 and we sold out and it was an amazing experience. We were also the first high school on Long Island to do Cats and was featured in the Richard Rogers' Magazine. There are only one or two students who won't do it because they feel uncomfortable and I think thats fine. Its actually really funny because after Rent was announced we got so many people who usually don't so the show come and audition because they wanna be a part of Rent. I think the show is great for teens because it truly does deal with real life issues. Homosexually, Aids, drugs aren't thing just in the musical it is major problems facing teens of today. The director of the show said in the script it says "Maureen shows a sign of affection." He said if the people who play the parts kissing they can kiss if not they will show another sign of affection. He said he will not make us do things we aren't conferrable doing. My Choir teacher is angry that we are doing Rent because since its a rock type musical he is worried that we will lose our voices or get nodules. I think if certain students and parents are uncomfortable doing Rent then don't do it. There are so many opportunities besides High School Productions that students can get involved with for free.

"I myself can't wait until the outcry over the inevitable, Spring Awkening: School Edition."

HAHAHA Me and a friend were joking and said next year we should do this!

thetheatrekook Profile Photo
thetheatrekook
#6re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 12:06pm

so true, Capn! And of course, don't forget these other fine family classics...The Music Man (lying, cheating, stealing, and a whole song about how slutty girls are better!), Carousel (ah, spousal abuse!), Oklahoma (murder anyone?), The King and I (abuse, polygamy, racism), South Pacific (war, racism), Oliver! (moral corruption, stealing, murder, abuse, child labor (gasp!)), Damn Yankees (making a pact with the DEVIL?? and a profanity in the TITLE!!)...maybe high schools should just stick to these family-friendly, clean musicals.

ETA: OH! And while we're on a roll...hating parents? Cause Ariel never hates her dad in THE LITTLE MERMAID!!!! lol.


www.kickfornick.com
Updated On: 12/6/08 at 12:06 PM

rentheadca
#7re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 12:12pm

I think most of the people protesting Rent are the ones who are ignorant and haven't seen the show. The people who just listen to "AIDS! HOMOSEXUALITY!" and freak out. What about the love? That one of the biggest points! I don't see that mentioned in the article...

yeah
#8re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 12:18pm

Considering the show isn't ABOUT homosexuals. There are straight characters. It's a show about love, death, life, acceptance, fear. Yes, there are homosexual themes, and drug related themes, but come on! As several people have mentions, there are PLENTY of musicals that deal with other unsavory topics, but those seem to be okay. Why? As long as it's not GAY!!!! AAHH! People may catch it!

LizzieCurry Profile Photo
LizzieCurry
#9re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 12:18pm

They're probably also the same type who'll freak out over the title of Urinetown.


"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

StockardFan Profile Photo
StockardFan
#10re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 12:23pm

Yeah, on 90210 they did Spring Awakening. I was like, yeah, that's realistic.


KFTC!!!!!

LizzieCurry Profile Photo
LizzieCurry
#11re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 12:27pm

Just like everything else on 90210.


"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

jonartdesigns Profile Photo
jonartdesigns
#12re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 12:34pm

I'm interested on how they handle angel's death in the school edition given that "contact" is cut entirely


"Grease," the fourth revival of the season, is the worst show in the history of theater and represents an unparalleled assault on Western civilization and its values. - Michael Reidel

jennamajig Profile Photo
jennamajig
#13re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 12:35pm

What about school that do Chicago, the show that basically says it is okay to kill your husband if he had it coming and this is how you get off if you do it? Like everyone said, several musicals deal with unsavory themes. I went to a Catholic High School - we were not allowed to perform Grease or a Chorus Line, yet did Guys and Dolls, which as someone pointed out up thread has just as many unsavory themes, just cleaner language, I suppose.

And Spring Awakening: School Edition? Hehe.



Good-bye masturbation scene, good-bye staging of the end of Act I, good-bye "The B*tch of Living" and "Totally F****d". What would be left? I see visions of Forbidden Broadway with 16 year olds jumping around singing "Totally Bleeped." :)

Updated On: 12/6/08 at 12:35 PM

LizzieCurry Profile Photo
LizzieCurry
#14re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 1:01pm

It's much easier to jump on a show that's integrated its controversial themes as part of its marketing strategy. And we all know that. The argument that "blah blah blah this show includes drugs and sex" is as stale as Jack Black's "the bible also says...," but is not nearly as entertaining.
See All the Great Operas in 10 Minutes, for example


"This thread reads like a series of White House memos." — Mister Matt

PiraguaGuy2
#15re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 1:06pm

Yeah, you're bleeped all right
And all for spite
All the young adults will wonder why
Totally bleeped
But we still get high
So come on, give us a try


Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08

ifuweregay93
#16re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 1:37pm

There's a momment you know, you're PUNK'D!

Avenue Q anyone?

If changes must be made.

Avenue Q theme
Stinks To Be Me
If you were Ok
Purpose
Everyone's A Little Bit Stupid
The Internet Is For Corn
Mix Tape
Not Wearing Underwear
Special
Loud As The Hell You Want (When you're making cake)
My Girlfriend Who Lives In Canada
Fine, Fine, Line
Life Outside Your Apartment
More You Ruv Someone
Schadenfreude
Wish I could Go Back To College

And So On

PiraguaGuy2
#17re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 1:39pm

There actually is an Avenue Q School Edition in the works.


Formerly SirNotAppearing - Joined 3/08

skb2010 Profile Photo
skb2010
#18re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 2:48pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L62yh1Glr6Y

2:00-2:35


Two roads diverged in a wood, and I? I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

dg22894
#19re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 2:57pm

Being in High School......
We have heath it is not like we do not know and the movie is rated PG-13. Also, it was one of my favroite shows to do and other people probally would enjoy as much as I did this summer when I played Angel. Almost every musical has some adult theame people should just get over it. I would love Avenue Q:School Edition.

alfgiotir Profile Photo
alfgiotir
#20re: More controversy over H.S. productions of 'Rent'
Posted: 12/6/08 at 3:00pm

wow that is so stupid. if you dont like it then dont do it. if parents dont like it then dont let their kids do it. but dont ruin other peoples lives by doing everything possible to not allow the school to do it. there are worse things you can see on the tv and internet. and dont tell me that their kids have never heard/seen drugs or homosexuality. they wont be learning anything they already didnt know from the show.


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