Rent is ending its Broadway run on June 1, according to the New York Times. Forgive my sentimental thoughts as I remember how I've grown up as the musical grew into a long-running hit. (Cliche: I watched the show on the eve of the millennium and thought about the future..... now with its close, I'm thinking about the past.....)
1999. At sixteen, I admit that I hadn't really thought about homelessness, sexuality, drugs, and premature mortality before the show and immediately after, I had few experiences in which to thoroughly understand those topics. The strains of optimism, idealism, and friendship that run through the lyrics were what caught my ear and to which I could relate.
2001. The musical is popular in school, and I'm glad that I've seen the show. Talk about wanting to fit in.....
2004. In college I'm starting to have a greater understanding of the issues of which I was unsure how to approach in high school. My volunteer experiences are shaping me and I'm glad that they did. However, I'm worrying that I'm trading in my idealism as I work towards climbing the career ladder. Rent also made excellent music for long trips.
2008. Being a recent college graduate, I look around at my friends and I can see who is pursuing an idealistic role in the world, who makes time for friendship and love, and who isn't. Who is like Benny and who is like Angel. I know I'm just as guilty as the next person about getting caught up in materialism and my own little world. Maybe just a reminder about those missed sunsets.... or another road trip.
1999. At sixteen, I admit that I hadn't really thought about homelessness, sexuality, drugs, and premature mortality before the show and immediately after, I had few experiences in which to thoroughly understand those topics. The strains of optimism, idealism, and friendship that run through the lyrics were what caught my ear and to which I could relate.
2001. The musical is popular in school, and I'm glad that I've seen the show. Talk about wanting to fit in.....
2004. In college I'm starting to have a greater understanding of the issues of which I was unsure how to approach in high school. My volunteer experiences are shaping me and I'm glad that they did. However, I'm worrying that I'm trading in my idealism as I work towards climbing the career ladder. Rent also made excellent music for long trips.
2008. Being a recent college graduate, I look around at my friends and I can see who is pursuing an idealistic role in the world, who makes time for friendship and love, and who isn't. Who is like Benny and who is like Angel. I know I'm just as guilty as the next person about getting caught up in materialism and my own little world. Maybe just a reminder about those missed sunsets.... or another road trip.
No comments:
Post a Comment