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RENT: School Edition = Controversy?

Submitted by Drew Downing on Monday, 17th May 2010
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Penned by the late Jonathan Larson, who tragically passed away only days before its Broadway opening, RENT is a story of love and survival. It’s sole message is to live No Day But Today. The students at Dromana Secondary College are only days away from their opening night of RENT: School Edition at The George Jenkins Theatre, Frankston.

 
Dromana Secondary College have presented an array of high quality productions in recent years including A CHORUS LINE, GREASE, FOOTLOOSE – The Musical and SHOWSTOPPERS – A Broadway Tribute.
 
RENT: School Edition has been developed by the Larson Estate in conjunction with performance rights representatives Music Theatre International.
 
What’s different in the School Edition?
 
Firstly, something I think is absolutely brilliant is the study materials that were supplied with purchasing the rights. Included in these materials is a letter to parents/families, informing them of the themes and text in the stage show.
 
The story and characters have not altered. In lengthy repetitive numbers, such as One Song Glory and Out Tonight, where the verses are reworded phrases, the second verses have been cut to assist with shortening the length of the show.
 
Some of the ‘unnecessary’ swearing has been eliminated and some lyrics reworked in numbers such as La Vie Boheme.
 
One number has been deleted. ‘Contact’ from the original production, has been totally cut, leaving ‘Without You’ leading into ‘I’ll Cover You: Reprise’.
 
And finally, the question everyone is asking - yes, Angel is still a drag queen.
 
Isn’t this a bit controversial?
 
The controversy surrounding this production is explosive.
 
Corona del Mar High School in America’s Orange County had their spring musical production of RENT: School Edition cancelled, just weeks before it opened in a huge controversial case that quickly spread through the media.

Ron Martin, their performing arts teacher (pictured), chose the production hoping that it would address school issues of homophobia. Apparently there had been a Facebook video using gay slurs related to many of the students and this had upset the school community. Some teachers reported that they had also heard slurs at school.

“This is the first time I’ve chosen a show for the high school because I had an agenda. In this instance, having an agenda as a teacher didn’t give me pause. My job is to give my students life skills. Discrimination is wrong on all levels.” – Ron Martin

He said the Principal had objected to the show because of its homosexual concepts and references to prostitution. “When I heard that, I stopped her and looked her in the eye and said, ‘First, there is no prostitution in ‘Rent,’ and second, homosexuality is not wrong,’ ” Mr. Martin said. “She made no comment. It was the most demoralizing, disappointing moment in my career as a teacher.”

This is only one of a score of similar situations across America.

Why did Dromana Secondary College choose RENT: School Edition?
I’m a performer and a ‘Renthead’, however the decision to stage RENT: School Edition was made as an educator. In collaboration with the co-director and college Principal, we are ensuring that this production will be a benchmark in school productions for our area. Originally the production was only open to Year 9 – 12, but due to the exceptional talent we noticed in the current year 8 students, we allowed a number of them to join the ensemble.

Our overall intention at the college is to give students an opportunity to experience theatre in a professional environment - not just a professional venue. This of course starts at choosing the material.

There is absolutely no reason why a school musical should not be an educational experience. Our principle cast has been given a stack of information about the show, including the history of AIDS, New York City, cultural differences and of course, the history of RENT.

Since giving them this information and discussing the show and characters at great detail, they’ve blossomed as performers and above all, they’ve developed as young people. They know the seriousness of the show, but they know how to enjoy themselves. This can’t be wrong.

Should we have chosen ‘The Sound of Music’ or even something more contemporary like ‘Seussical’, we would not have attracted the interest of the students currently involved in RENT: School Edition. School musical production teams must choose appropriate shows for their current students. We don’t doubt that this was the perfect choice for us in 2010.

Have you faced any problems in staging RENT: School Edition?
Budgeting is always a concern for a public school production. However, the budget should not affect the talent. We aim to present high quality shows on a minimal budget. Having said this, any public school that needs to hire a venue knows that a production can cost well in excess of $20,000. Ours certainly do. Having an organised production manger always helps us!

Themes wise, if we’re doing RENT (any version!), we need to respect the performers and their understanding of the text. Not once during rehearsals has there been a moment of awkwardness or discomfort. The students talk openly and ask questions about the show.

Will there be controversy surrounding our production, once it hits the stage next week? Who knows? Maybe you should come and see for yourself.
 
   
 
 
 
 

 

State: 
VIC