Allentown High School ready to raise 'Rent'

Click HERE to watch Video

'Rent" went dark on Broadway, but Allentown High School will resurrect the popular and controversial musical this weekend.

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Above: Allentown High School students perform a scene from "Rent" during rehearsal in the auditorium Feb. 25.

This past year was the first ever that student groups could access licenses to produce the musical. While many theater departments across the nation scrambled to get the licenses, only 40 will actually put on the play this year. Many school communities deemed "Rent's" content too mature for teenage actors, but Allentown High School supported the choice, and the show will go on at 7:30 p.m. March 5, 6 and 7 in the auditorium.

Although the Upper Freehold School District faced some flak from a group of 30 community members who in the beginning of the school year signed a petition against its production, the administration and Board of Education continued to wholeheartedly support its students and the performance. The play focuses on a group of friends leading a bohemian lifestyle in New York's East Village during the '80s. The work discusses issues surrounding promiscuity, AIDS/HIV, drug use, gender identity and homosexuality.

Below: Allentown High School's theater arts teacher Mark Megill speaks to the cast of the musical "Rent," which will debut at 7:30 p.m. March 5 in the auditorium.

More than 80 students, more than the drama club ever had before, tried out for a part in "Rent." The chosen 28 have been rehearsing since after Thanksgiving. Due to the content of the play, theater arts teacher Mark Megill, musical director for the production, has held numerous discussions with the performers and will host community forums each night before the curtain rises.

Megill said the theater department chose to produce "Rent" because it is a musical many drama students know and love.

"This is their music, their show. That's why they're so into it," Megill said.

He said the school likes to vary its performances to provide students with a range of acting opportunities. Two years ago, students performed "Seussical," a fantasy based on the books of Dr. Seuss, and last year they performed the Broadway classic "Thoroughly Modern Millie," Megill said.

"We feel very fortunate the school district supported us with 'Rent,' " Megill said.

The school version of "Rent" has been edited for some sexually explicit content, but students will still be singing about masturbation and stripping, among many other controversial topics. During a Feb. 25 rehearsal, Megill reminded students that they are merely acting out parts in a play.

"It's possible people will walk out," he said. "Don't change the performance that you're doing because someone in the audience might not like it. Never hold back or be ashamed of what you are doing."

None of the cast members said they felt uncomfortable with any of the play's content.

Senior Caylin Moore, 17, who plays the part of Mimi, whom she describes as "a junkie stripper," said, "I don't think we would be here if we were uncomfortable."

Freshman Chris Anselmo, 15, said, "I feel these are the issues we deal with in life. If we can't deal with them, then what's life worth living?"

Senior Kim Alu, 18, said the show may discuss controversial issues but does so to convey that people should live every day with love, compassion and acceptance.

Freshman Mike Oliu, 15, said the lesson the actors are learning from the experience is that "you can't judge someone for the lifestyle they chose. Even if you don't agree with them, you can still find it in your heart to love them."

Director and choreographer Nicole Machin said the cast is absolutely amazing.

"They come to rehearsals excited and they work their butts off," she said. "They are an extremely talented group of people and have a maturity level way beyond their grade levels."

Since the set, props and dance numbers in "Rent" are toned down in comparison to other productions, Machin said the performance relies heavily on the actors' talents.

"A lot of this performance falls on the actors, and I think they are stepping up to the plate," she said.

Machin also noted that the show has a six-member student stage crew and that art teacher Brad Nicklas designed the sets.

The curtain will rise on "Rent" this weekend. Tickets will be available at the door.

For a video about the performance, visit www.gmnews.com.