‘Rent’ comes to the stage in Negaunee
A popular musical is coming to the Vista Theater in Negaunee.
The Peninsula Arts Appreciation Council is performing it’s rendition of Rent starting Thursday. It tells the story of a group of young artists and musicians struggling to survive in New York City, while dealing with HIV and AIDS.
Although there are some adult themes in the play, the cast had to balance a fine line between raunchy and simply telling the story.
“It’s kind of a racy story, actually. There’s a lot of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n roll,” Rent co-director Eliisa Gladwell said. “It’s a lot of pulling back and trying thing out and saying ‘oh that doesn’t look okay’, ‘oh we can’t present that’, and I think we found a happy medium somewhere along the PG-13 line.”
“Between all of the different aspects of the show, it’s a street musical with only little glibs of dialogue and then dancing and movement and very minimal sets, so you’ve got to be inventive with it,” Erin Morgan ,who plays Joanne, said.
Even with the adult content in the production, the audience will enjoy the singing, dancing, and overall message the play conveys.
“It’s a show that has something for everyone,” Gladwell said. “It’ll make you laugh, it’ll make you cry. I’ve been working with the show for three months now and I still cry every single night. It’s such a great story, there’s so much to learn from it and everyone’s going to enjoy.”
Shows start Thursday at 7:30 p.m., and run for the next two weeks–June 13-14 and June 18-21.
Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students.