RENT: A Story That Resonates Even Today

Is RENT as relevant today as it was when it first hit the Broadway stage back in the mid-90s? That is the question I seek to address today on the Simon Morris blog. Is this classic modern musical still relevant?

This is a problem that every musical theatre production faces at some point or another, as does every piece of art that has ever been created. Art often depends on the societal trends of the day to make an impact, however it is its ability to rise above its own cultural environment and tap into common human emotion that makes great art timeless.

RENT: The Tale of One Group of Friends in Alphabet City

The show itself chronicles a year in the life of friends as they struggle with love, loss, addiction, desperation and so much more. Classic tunes from the show include fan favourites such as ‘La Vie Boheme,’ ‘Seasons of Love,’ ‘I’ll Cover You,’ ‘Take Me or Leave Me’ and ‘Without You’

The general story sees these friends meet, connect, fall in love, struggle with issues such as heroin addiction and AIDS, deal with the death of one of their own (Angel) and survive, coming together in Mimi’s hour of need and saving her from following Angel to an early grave.

A Musical That Taps Into the Very Essence of Humanity

On the face of it, RENT has endured because the issues that plague its characters are ones still very present in modern life. Many people still suffer from drug addiction and AIDS, LGBT rights, which are skilfully explored in the production, are more prevalent than ever and the excesses that so typified the 1980’s backdrop of the piece still reverberate in 2014.

However, I would suggest that this is an overly simplistic explanation of the enduring popularity of RENT. Yes, many of the issues it explores are more prevalent than ever in today’s society, but it’s the musical’s ability to tap into common themes in human emotion that made it, and continue to make it, a massive hit with audiences across the musical theatre loving world.

So, Simon Morris readers, if this little analysis has taught you anything, it should be that a musical works when it resonates with audiences. Only through the exploration of complex human emotion can audiences gain that window they need to form a connection with the characters up on that stage and, ultimately, grow to love them!