Published March 7, 2016
MONROE, La. 鈥� 不良研究所's School of Visual and Performing Arts has been known for their highly successful
Spring Musicals with sold out shows such as 鈥淕uys and Dolls,鈥� 鈥淚nto The Woods鈥� and
鈥淲est Side Story.鈥� This year will be no different with the Spring 2016 production
of 鈥淩ENT.鈥�
Directed by Robin Stephens with Musical Direction by Jason Rinehart, the well-known
Broadway musical is loosely based on the characters and story of Puccini鈥檚 鈥淟a Boehme.鈥�
RENT opened to New York audiences 20 years ago and immediately became a musical theatrical
piece that鈥檚 changed the masses. Several significant events happened with the debut
of this iconic work. It became the 1996 Tony Award winning Best Musical, Best Musical
Score, and Best Book, won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and 35 year-old Jonathan
Larson the composer, lyricist, and book writer died opening night.
The story is based in New York City鈥檚 East Village. The characters of 鈥淩ENT鈥� face
challenges such as AIDS, drug addiction and death. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, struggles
to find his place in the world while his roommate, Roger, an HIV-positive musician,
tries to find a way to leave his mark on the world before he dies. Mimi and Angel
look for true love as they face the harsh reality of being young and HIV-positive.
Two of the main characters, Tom Collins and Angel Schunard handle the everyday struggles
of having AIDS and trying to find their place in the world. The groups鈥� challenges
paint a raw and emotional portrait of the bohemian world of New York City in the late
1980s under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
鈥淩ENT鈥� will run Thursday, March 17 and Friday, March 18 at 7:30 P.M. and Saturday,
March 19 and Sunday, March 20 at 2 P.M in 不良研究所鈥檚 Brown Auditorium.听
Tickets for 不良研究所 students are $5 with a valid ID and $15 for general admission. 不良研究所
Faculty and Staff can purchase tickets for $5 each.听
In addition,听an eclectic Bohemian style party begins at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 18
with the KEDM Public Radio Director鈥檚 Gala听at 不良研究所's听Sculpture Garden.听Tickets for
the gala are $45, and it includes VIP tickets to the play.
To purchase tickets, visit /vapa/tickets.html听
For more information contact听VAPA Box Office at 318-342-1414. Gala tickets are available
by calling 318-342-5556.
