You may have read my previous article discussing the characters in “Rent” that have several similarities with Giacomo Puccini’s “La Boheme”. It became evident though that it was a homage.
Jonathan Larson must have envisioned “La Boheme” in New York where the raging issues are HIV and homosexuality. But, unlike some opera houses today that retain the music but modernize the settings as I have analyzed in this article, Larson chose to infuse his own vision.
The title used though is a more direct approach to the kind of life presented here. When bohemians are struggling artists at the same time, one glaring issue for them is keeping up with the rent. Add the fact that this story happens around Christmastime when the weather is too cold and scarcity-related problems start piling on top of each other.
So in a nutshell, it consists of several love stories among these struggling souls. It’s about Roger, an HIV-positive rock musician, falling for Mimi, an HIV-positive stripper and heroin junkie. It’s also about Collins who found love in an HIV-positive cross-dressing percussionist Angel. And of course, Maureen, a bisexual performance protest artist who dumped Mark in favor of Joanne, a lesbian lawyer.
HIV didn’t let them stop from falling in love. The main fear lurking above their heads is who dies first in the couple. At least for Maureen and Joanne, it’s not an issue. They already have a bevy of issues to begin with – Maureen’s promiscuity and Joanne’s controlling behavior. It can be initially viewed as shallow compared to what the other couples are going through but at least it gave us the LSS-worthy theme “Take Me or Leave Me”.
Love and death are constant themes here at Rent. It may be one of the few predictable parts of this musical since HIV has yet to be cured. The kind of love presented here is liberating since it’s free of prejudice. Regardless of gender or health status, if 2 people love each other, no matter how outrageous some quarrels could get, they’d still find a way back to each other.
Girl, boy, bakla, tomboy and at least one bisexual character – different facets of love that clearly demonstrated that when it comes to love, it doesn’t matter what your gender is. It matters that you are capable of love in the time of HIV. And it’s not afraid to tackle one of the most exaggerated misconceptions about HIV – that only gays and lesbians get it. Roger and Mimi are straight but they still got infected. Roger already lost his previous girlfriend to HIV so his concern about having another girlfriend who’s also HIV positive dampened the enthusiasm.
On the other hand, Collin and Angel didn’t mind making their relationship official even if both of them are HIV positive. If you’re going to die anyway, might as well die while being in a relationship worth keeping.
If ever you plan to watch Rent for the first time, bring some tissue packs. Otherwise, use your shirt collar to wipe off your tears. And while you’re at it, please like our official Facebook page, MusicalsOnline.com, and follow us on Twitter @musicalnews. Thanks for reading.
