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‘Rent,’ the award-winning, off-Broadway musical combines social issues and a ’90s sense of humor to create a work of emotional significance that is more than just a song and dance By Rory Carroll Oregon Daily Emerald Part Broadway musical, part rock music video, part social commentary, Jonathan Larson’s critically ac claimed “Rent” delivered all of these with passion and precision Tuesday night at the Hult Center. The 1996 Pulitzer Prize-winning story traces the lives of a group of artists over the course of a year, as { { / want to honor the artist's work. Jonathan liter ally gave his life for this work. Horace V. Rogers ‘Rent’cast i they struggle to survive the hopeless ness of living in New York’s East Vil lage. The group is attempting to save their dilapidated apartment building from building owner Benny (Brian M. Love), who has threatened to turn it into a cyber arts studio and evict the current tenants. When the musical opens, it is Christinas Eve, and Mark (Matt Ca plan) is attempting to lift the spirits of his HIV-positive roommate Roger (Joshua Kobak), who is mired in de pression after his girlfriend’s suicide. Roger has all but given up when he meets and falls in love with Mimi (Saycon Sengbloh), a drug-addicted S&M dancer. Notable performances included Erin Keaney as Mark’s overly dramat ic ex-girlfriend Maureen. Keaney’s rendition of “Over the Moon” had the audience in stitches. Shaun Earl’s performance as Tom Collin’s drag queen lover Angel is also outstand ing. “Rent” has always existed under the dark cloud of creator Larson’s un expected death of an aortic aneurysm on January 25, 1996, less than a month before the play’s world pre miere. Larson never knew the success his work would achieve. Although the cast gets tired from touring, Horace V. Rogers, who plays Mark and Roger’s ex-roommate Tom Collins, says that it takes little more ‘Rent’ What: A Tony Award winning modem re make of La Boheme, centering around the lives of several East Vil lagers who are coping with AIDS, drug addic tions, and relation ships. Where: Silva Concert Hall, Hult Center, One Eugene Center. When: 8 p.m. April 6 7,2 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 8, and 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. April 9. Cost: Tickets are $25 - $50; student discounts are available. Rormore information: Call Hult Center’s 24 hour information line at 682-5000. than the thought of author Larson to get him inspired. “I want to honor the artist’s work. Jonathan literally gave his life for this. It was the last work he did. I think for someone to give that much to a project, you owe it to that work to give the best,” said Rogers, who has been with this cast for almost a year and a half. Social issues including AIDS, drug addiction, homosexuality and pover ty are at the heart of “Rent.” “Many of the social issues we haven’t resolved, like hopelessness,” Rogers said. “In any given city you can go and you’ll see that.” AIDS is an issue that is not receiv ing the same attention that it did when Larson was penning the musi cal, Rogers said. “The face of people who have HIV and AIDS has changed since Brian White,” Rogers said. “He looked very haggard and wasting away. Now we have the poster child of Magic John son and the like who look fairly healthy and are living pretty quality lives. But that is an economical thing. How can you pay for those drug therapies if you don’ have the money or the insurance to pay for them? These issues have not gone away. HIV has not gone away, AIDS has not gone away.” The play is based on Giacomo Puc cini’s 1896 opera “La Boheme.” “Rent” examines bohemian ideals when faced with the grim realities of poverty and disease. The mantra “No day but today,” is similar to the Latin phrase “carpe diem.” It is in this message that the characters find hope. The strength of “Rent” is how it ef fectively combines weighty social is sues with a witty sense of humor without coming off as trite. Any one of the characters has the surface persona of an MTV veejay, but still manages to reach deeper to reveal their human side. 136 E.11th, Eugene 342-3358 Mondays: 9 pm Mixoloyy ioi - energetic house, techno, junyle, hip-hop... briny yo’ dancin' shoes O OO°0 21 and over John Henry’s Dance Nights no cover for women!!' 37th Annual international International Week Monday-Friday, April 10-14 EMU, University of Oregon M: Africa Day TU: Asia/Oceania Day W: Americas Day TH: Europe/Middle East Day F: World Forum Day Night Sunday, April 16, 2000 Ball Room, University of Oregon 6-12: $11 ($13 at the door) Admission: $14 ($16 at the door) (FREE admission for children under 5) Dinner Times: 5:00 pm, 5:45 pm. 6:30 pm Preshow/Exhibition in the EMU Fir Room: 5-7 pm Performance starts in the EMU Bail Room: 7 30 pm SOMEONE you know down in the DUMPS? Send them some LOVING through a personal ad in the Emerald! Emerald Classifieds 346-4343
