How do you measure a year in your life?
Good question, right?
In case you hadn't guessed from the title, I saw RENT last weekend. Yes, I know it's no longer 1996, but the story stands up. Also, my brother played Roger, so, I was really eager to go see!
I have always, always, always wanted to see Rent. Outside of Grease, it's the only musical that I was really interested in seeing. This was finally my chance, and I wasn't going to miss it!
I talked to my grandmother about this play and she said it was depressing - so depressing, in fact, that she actually walked out of it. So, I was not thinking this was going to be a happy go lucky musical version of whatever the story was. That's right - I didn't know the story - just that it was darker and apparently depressing.
Can I tell you something? I LOVE LOVE LOVED this musical! I have never before cried (or dribbled some saline) at a play/musical. I cried about 3 times, or was trying to hold it in, at least three times.
The story takes place in the late '80's/early '90's. The setting - New York. The characters are poor artists, trying to make their own way through the life that they have been given. The characters have problems, such as drug addictions, depression, and mostly - AIDS. You remember those days, right? When it seemed like the whole world was stricken with this disease? It was in the news, all the time. Safe sex was preached over and over. You talked about the repercussions of sharing a needle, sharing an open mouth kiss, sharing a toilet seat. Granted, some were myths, but, the country was scared.
This story was not as dark or depressing as I had thought. On the contrary, I found it to be optimistic and universal. The story centers on a young group of people, in their twenties and possibly thirties. It centers on their ideals, and art. But mostly, it's about life. It's about the different ways we muddle through our own lives. It's about how we deal with the problems, traumas, and gifts in our own life. It's about accepting love, and giving it in return. It's about accepting people. It's about how groups of people (friends and family) can come together, but also how they can come apart. It's about life.
I just loved this musical, this story. Watch how these people deal with their traumas, with their hardships, with the unexpected, with love and with loss. Watching the characters as they deal with the life that they are living, and getting up each day, and loving each other and how difficult that can be. Watch how brutally honest we can be to each other, but lying to ourselves. Watch how we can hurt those we love, as well as to embrace them.
This show was so easily relateable. How can you not relate to unexpected love, knocking at your door, or offering a scarf? How can you not relate to losing a loved one? Can you relate to making the best of a not yet lost situation?
Congratulations to my brother - so far, this is my favorite theater experience!
 |
| Me, Cari and Jory. Apparently it was too bright for my eyes. |
 |
| Cari and Jory again |
 |
| Jesus Christ Superstar (JCS for short) |
 |
| My super cute hubby |
 |
| Cari and Jory (Cari was in town) |
 |
| Cari, Jory, Tony |
 |
| The "will you stop taking pictures?" picture |
 |
| All of us |
No comments:
Speak Your Mind...
Speak Your Mind...