\RENT""
Why is the musical becoming such a huge phenomenon? The reason is because they are becoming more accessible to audiences aged 18-25. Musicals are beginning to deal with issues that college students can easily relate to, while using upbeat music to keep it interesting.
Blair Chavis, a freshman who has seen ""RENT"" twice on Broadway, said, ""'RENT' has a different flavor which makes it exciting to see."" Meredith Ruben, a freshman going to see ""RENT"" for the first time, added that she wanted to see it because, ""it is really interesting that they are able to address modern day issues through a musical.""
In 1996, Jonathan Larson revitalized Broadway with his new rock opera, ""RENT,"" drawing in a new crowd of youthful theater-goers. Larson took his own experiences of living a bohemian lifestyle and combined them with the touching love story of Puccini's opera, ""La Boheme.""
The opera tells the tragic love story of Mimi and Rodolfo, lovers that are separated by the wrath of tuberculosis. All of the characters are young artists that must survive in the poverty-stricken world of Bohemia. Similarly, ""RENT"" revolves around lovers Mimi and Roger, she an S&M dancer, he a struggling artist. Both are HIV positive. Transvestite Angel and his cyber-sweetie Tom, lesbians Maureen and Joanne and the narrator, Mark, all live together in New York's East Village, living paycheck to paycheck. When their landlord Benny shuts them out and declares that Bohemia is dead, the artists stand strong, believing in the ""Seasons of Love"" that surround them. Act I is a celebration of life; Act II focuses on coming together and surviving death. Larson himself described it best when he said, ""'RENT' is about a community celebrating life, in the face of death and AIDS, at the turn of the century.""
Larson was so passionate about bringing his story to life that he didn't realize that his own end was very near. Although healthy himself, he had been to funerals for friends that had lost their fight against AIDS. However, after the last dress rehearsal, at the age of 35, Larson tragically died of an aortic aneurysm. His songs truly reflect his desire to bring to light the life of working class artists, like himself, from all races and backgrounds.
Larson's masterpiece continues to show audiences everywhere that love truly occurs in all seasons, whether it's between friends or lovers, men or women, and that it can stand strong against the evils of AIDS.
""The Mikado""
""Taken from a County Jail,"" only to become lord high executioner. One minute doomed to be beheaded, the next, married to his true love. This is not a TV drama, or introduction to a novel. Instead, this is the basis of one of William Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's most beloved works, ""The Mikado.""
""The Mikado"" tells the story of Nanki-poo, heir to the throne of the Mikado, the Japanese Emperor, who wishes to marry his love, Yum-Yum. When he learns that she is betrothed to the new lord high executioner Ko-Ko, he can't live without her, and agrees to be beheaded. When Ko-Ko sees Nanki-poo's pain, he reluctantly gives up Yum-Yum, and allows the couple to flee the town of Titipu, writing up a false certificate of his death. Unfortunately, when the Mikado finds out that the heir apparent has been ""beheaded,"" he condemns Ko-Ko to death for carrying out the deed. To save Ko-Ko, Nanki-poo agrees to return to Titipu if Ko-Ko will marry his betrothed, Katisha, a wicked older woman. He accepts the agreement, Ko-Ko and Katisha are married, Nanki-poo returns and all live happily ever after.
Director David Furumoto is an expert of Asian theater as well as a Kabuki practitioner. He agreed to do the musical only if it was done in as authentic a Japanese way as possible. There are several things that make Kabuki different from regular theater. Along with the tsuke woodblocks, assistant director Brian Bizzell added, ""a Ki woodblock can be heard between the overture and the first scene, which signals the traditional start of the play."" While these noises may seen obtrusive to the audience, they are an authentic aspect of Kabuki theater.
Another part of Kabuki theater that is different from the regular theater experience is the use of whiteface makeup. This makeup is a symbol of rank or status and can also be used to show extreme beauty. Both Nanki-poo and Yum-Yum use the whiteface makeup, and the Mikado uses a heavier whiteface to show his superior status. Along with the makeup, onstage transformations and prop distribution are common. The character Katisha makes a costume change right on the stage, with help from the stage crew, concealed only by a black mask over their faces. Assistant director Brian Bizzell explained that, ""these stage hands also bring props on and off the stage frequently, as if they are part of the cast.""
""The Mikado"" is light comedic opera that all would enjoy to see. Gilbert and Sullivan is familiar and none of their work is horribly depressing. Don't commit a crime and miss seeing this musical, or succumb to the power of the lord high executioner.
