What always amazes me about the whole 'Rent is dated' which i don't agree with is that nobody says that about Angels in America or The Normal Heart etc.
The thing which keeps Rent relevent are simple, its about friendship in times of hardships, its about fighting for something or someone you believe in, it's about celebrating life even in the face of death. Yes its set in the 80s and deals with a NY that does not exist anymnore but so do many many shows.
People say that it's dated because the Aids epedemic is 'Under Control', again that is something i dont agree with. The amount of new infections is still staggering, only last year i lost a friend who was 27 years old to it and this year 3 more people i know were diagnosed with it.
The Rent is dated thing seems to just be a way for people who hate the show to bash it.
Yes it's book is weak but at the same time its simplicity is also its charm, you see small moments of these peoples lives, almost like looking through a window, and thats enough to get you involved in the show. I do think the book could be overhauled in some places but its not one of the worst books ive seen, far from it. And it's score is incredible, grunge rock may feel dated to some but it represents the time its set in, thats why the god awful Rent Remixed with its dance beats, whistles, hand claps and disco music did not work, it did not capture anything, just like the set and costume did not (in fact they all looked like they lived in a swanky apartment)
Namo i love u but we get it already....you don't like Madonna
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