Pulitzer award winning musical “Rent” will be available for El Camino students to experience on Friday, March 12. Directed by William Georges and El Camino theatre professor Ron Scarlata as the artistic director, the rock-and-roll musical is two weeks from opening night.
“We thought this musical would be a great fit for the students, because it appeals to the younger audience,” Georges said.
“Rent” is the story of five friends, and the intimate ties between them through troubling times. It covers many modern issues such as sexual orientation, drug abuse, and AIDS to name a few.
“It’s about the love that these friends have for one another, and that speaks to all people,” Lorne Stevenson, cast member said. “It is not just about AIDS awareness.” Stevenson is a theatre major attending El Camino currently.
AIDS is only one of the troubles the characters in “Rent” go through. Written in 1960s, by Jonathan Larsen, the musical was aimed for the MTV generation and touches on issues that are present in the modern day.
“One of the main themes in the musical is that there is ‘no day but today’,” Stevenson said. “This musical teaches that life is short and must be lived to the fullest.”
“The group of friends become a family,” Aliya Stuart, cast member said, “which bonds people for a lifetime.” Stuart is also a theatre major here at El Camino.
Much like the characters the play, cast members have also become very united.
“We bonded so quickly and have learned so much from each other,” Stevenson said. It was exactly what the director hoped for, coming out of the audition process.
“It was important to create a community environment, much like the bonds between the characters in the musical,” Georges said about the cast.
With only five weeks to learn the music, choreography and lines, the cast worked diligently to be where it is today and now have two weeks to refine its work.
“Everyone is so dedicated, and we’ve all stepped up our game, along with helping each other out,” Stuart said.
Working with a wonderful choreographer and musical director has helped keep the musical on schedule, Georges said.
Another unique part about a community college production is the opportunity to have community members participate. The musical’s cast is made up of mostly El Camino students, and a few community members.
“People who have years of experience working in theater, coming and working with younger artists, has been very exciting to watch,” Georges said.
The cast is excited to reveal its hard work and also show a different side of theatre to El Camino students.
“Not only is this musical a rock-and-roll musical, it is contemporary and relevant,” Stevenson said. “It speaks to everybody.”
The importance of what is it to be young and part of a community of friends is highlighted, and the cast members believe “Rent” has issues everyone can relate to.
“It is a celebration of life, and the idea that time on earth is limited,” Stevenson said.
“Rent” will be running from March 12 to 28th, which includes evening performance on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., matinee showing on Sundays at 3 p.m., at the Campus Theatre.
Tickets can be purchased at the Campus Theatre box office for $25. Students with ASB will receive a 50% discount, which is good for one ticket only.