Parents Sue to Stop Students From Performing "Rent"

on November 5, 2009 at 1:00 PM

Rent is one of my favorite musicals...ever! Everytime I watch it, you can guarantee I will cry and sing very loudly to the songs. It's a classic.

But, yes, the subject matter is a little taboo. That's why some parents at a Nevada high school are suing the school to keep students from performing Rent in a play.

The storyline is about an eclectic group of friends living in New York City. The characters include a drug-addicted stripper, drag queen, homosexual and heterosexual couples, and many of the characters are HIV-positive. It follows this group for one year through their individual struggles and how their friendship gets them through it.

The movie-version has a PG-13 rating because of cursing, drugs and sexuality, but there's also a toned-down "School Edition" version (it's unknown which version the Nevada school was using).

Parent Dish has the full scoop.

Do you think Rent is appropriate for high schoolers to perform? What about a "toned-down" version of it?

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Comments (6)

LokisMama

on Nov 5, 2009 at 5:42 PM

Personally I think that to prevent anything from being performed, even something that has some borderline taboo topics such as RENT, is terrible. It's a great show, the songs are fantastic, and it has some very poignant messages, especially in todays' world.

I wonder what they would prefer? Something like Jeckyll and Hyde, which has a great deal of violence. I guess violence is better than topics that these parents consider 'taboo'

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babyboomboom

on Nov 6, 2009 at 12:02 AM

I see nothing wrong with the kids preforming such a great play as RENT.

damira

on Nov 6, 2009 at 8:56 AM

Yes RENT is the best musical ever.

NooYawka

on Nov 6, 2009 at 2:05 PM

"Personally I think that to prevent anything from being performed, "

So you're OK with "anything"? Oh, Calcutta, perhaps? Or Naked Boys Singing?

Discernment is supposed to be a part of parenting.

toriandgrace

on Nov 8, 2009 at 1:31 AM

I love RENT. I've seen it live several times, have the movie version and the DVD of the final Broadway performance.

But, I definitely think that it is not appropriate for a high school performance. The material is really not appropriate for 14 year olds. Just look up the lyrics to La Vie Boheme. Even if this song is excluded, I do not feel it is appropriate. It is a much more adult show than I would expect a high school to do.

As for what would they prefer, there are plenty of shows that are high school appropriate: Seussical, Les Mis, Children of Eden, Joseph, Wizard of Oz, Once on this Island, Annie, Oliver, Oklahoma, Phantom, Music Man, Sound of Music.. there is no shortage of high school appropriate musicals.

I personally wouldn't sue the high school, but I would certainly encourage all the other parents to not allow their students to participate or view the show.