Response To Rent

Response Paper 2: Rent In 1994, Rent debuted on Broadway, the first musical to shed light on HIV/AIDs epidemic. Rent, book and lyrics written and music composed by Jonathan Larson. Rent takes place in Manhattan’s East Village and follows a young and impoverished, group of friends who struggle to make it as artists. Rent sheds light on the burdens of young individuals not only living in impoverished conditions but, also living under the shadow of the HIV/AIDs epidemic in the late 1980’s. The central theme to Rent, the struggle for young adults to not only become financially successful enough to literally pay ones rent, but to also be comfortable with themselves and other people. Maintaining a financially stable standard of living allows one

In Rent, to the song of, “A-N-G-E-L”, Collins returns to the home holding tons of cash he took from a reprogrammed ATM. (2:05:30). By remaining in the East Village, Collins was persistent in continuing his pursuits, his love for Angel and his furthering creative talent. Eventually, the combination of two literally paid-off, inspired by his love for Angel, Collins used his creative talent to reprogram an ATM machine to payout when the password ANGEL is used. Collins successfully paid his rent figuratively when he became comfortable with himself and his significant others, this in turn inspired his creative idea of reprogramming an ATM providing him the ability to literally pay rent. Paying ones rent either figuratively or literally to survive and progress in life can a struggle for young adults trying to pursue an artistic career. Adding to that the burden of living under the shadow of the HIV/AIDs epidemic can make paying ones rent almost impossible. Rent the musical sends a message that overcoming the adversities set upon you in life, being comfortable with yourself and others, and pursuing your passions and goals will eventually pay off, leading to a successful