PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — One of the biggest Broadway hits of the 1990s, “RENT,” is now on stage at the Arden Theatre in Old City.
“RENT” is a rock opera that won four Tony Awards when it debuted in 1996. Many theater lovers know the story of the show’s writer, Jonathan Larson, who died suddenly from an aortic dissection the day before Off-Broadway previews opened.
Set during the AIDS crisis of the early ‘90s, “RENT” centers around a group of bohemian artists of various races and sexual orientations — identities that hadn’t been seen on stage very much at the time it debuted, and even some that didn’t have clear definitions.
In the Arden’s production, Gilbert Diego Sanchez plays Angel Dumott Schunard, who sometimes appears in casual men’s clothes and sometimes in tights and a skirt, sometimes using “she/her” pronouns and sometimes “he/him”.
“Angel is complicated because the language for gender non-binary, trans … the vocabulary didn’t necessarily exist,” Sanchez said.
“I also think there's something special in the way that … the play doesn't question Angel's identity. Angel just exists.”
Rajeer Alford plays Tom Collins, Angel’s partner. As the characters all struggle with disease, addiction, and fighting for art and expression over capitalism, Alford sees Collins and Angel’s relationship as representing a beacon of hope.
“Their love is a revolution,” he said. “I love that I get to play a character that is a Black gay man, and he has so many scenes of joy.”
Times have changed and language has evolved, but both Sanchez and Alford have seen “RENT” resonate with young audiences today at the Arden.
“We had a high school show at 10:30 in the morning,” Sanchez said. “They were screaming and cheering. The first time we kissed, they were screaming. And I was like, ‘this is for that 14-year-old in this audience tonight who needs just this vision of hope, and here's your identity in front of you.’”
“They were so invested in it,” Alford added. “I think that they've also grown up in a different time. They have so much more of an opportunity to be open to many different walks of life. … I think that they are primed for this sort of show.”
On Broadway, “RENT” was one of the first shows to introduce the idea of rush tickets — cheaper seats up front for people who waited outside the theater before the show. The Arden has created their own version of that concept.
“The Arden has two rows of couches in the very front of the stage that are $20,” Sanchez said. “You can get them at the TKTS Independence Hall center up to 72 hours in advance, and you're kind of in the action.”
“You don't have to participate very much, but cast members are around you, and there's fun little interactions that you have … and it makes this production feel like the original ‘RENT’.”
“RENT” runs through June 29. Tickets and more information are available on the Arden Theatre’s website.