Some input for a paper I'm writing....

I've only heard songs from Rent. I think the thing that struck me the most was that it has the power to make you appreciate what you have got. In comparison with Jim Cartwright, by showing people whos situation may be percieved as destitute or unfortunate, it can envoke feelings of sympathy and compassion which will thus turn into feelings of gratitude for the life we are able to lead. The important thing to remember is that the characters in Rent are undoubtably somewhere in society and thereofre it could be seen as a musical documentary on how society and courses of action have affected certain people.

Andy

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Indeed, I agree very much with the two above comments. To me, RENT was written with no boundaries and it delved into things that people at the time were sort of afraid of (AIDS, gay relationships etc). The messages of living every day like its your last or that love can be found through any obstacle are so clear and strong and beautifully portrayed. It is a story that is indeed very realistic in our time and I think alot of people can really relate to the characters and what they are going through so it is almost like a musical documentary. Also because Jonathan Larson put such a personal touch into the show (there's a quote somewhere where he says that "this is a show about my friends, so you will be playing my friends" or something to that nature) and there have been countless discussions on how Mark reflects Jonathan Larson himself. All in all, it's just an amazingly strong and honest piece of work that has touched lives of all sorts of people around the world and it is truly something to be admired.
-Mika

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Well, beyond the whole idea that Rent opened up new doors and whatnot, it really changed my life. I mean before Rent I thought musical theater was all "Oklahoma" and "Annie Get Your Gun." I didn't know musical theater could be so realistic. And after I saw RENT, It took me a few days to really understand it and grasp what it was trying to say. After that though, I decieded that musical theater is what I wanted to do with my life. I thought, If i could wake up every day and go to do a musical like this that touches people's lives with it's message and beautiful music, then I would have it alright.
james

First off, I love RENT. I love the characters, the message, the heart. I saw some interviews (from years ago when RENT first started to snowball) with the cast talking about the power of RENT. The energy and spirit of the show. I performed "Over The Moon" a month ago with my girlfriend and the whole of RENT with the UFF (Unforgetable Five, my friends Alex and Evie introduced me to RENT actually) the following Sunday. But one night, I was watching the whole thing on tape and by "Tune Up #3" I was on my feet, doing everyone's parts and really getting into it. By "You'll See Boys", my dog had retreated, my mother closed her door to block me out and my brother was sending annual threats from the other room. During "La Vie Boheme", I was singing every line (not an easy thing to do) and dancing with abandon, like when I was little. It was that night that I really understood RENT as more than a musical about AIDS with really gorgeous people (Anthony, Adam, Idina, Taye, etc). Maybe it was because I read the whole of the offical RENT book a few weeks ago or just because it finally hit me, but I really understood it. It's not about AIDS, it's about life, love, and the pursuit of glory. It's about having hope in what seems to be a hopeless situation.

Bethy

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