RENT is a Broadway musical about the lives of struggling artists in New York. In this performance, there are eight characters, most of which are artists or musicians trying to make a living in New York. The plot highlights important social issues and problems that many artists face. The music accompanying this performance is rock, with most songs featuring guitars and drums. This essay will discuss the elements of the RENT musical.
This is a musical, and the type of performance is an ensemble since the majority of songs are performed by a group of actors, although there are several solo performances as well. Over the course of the performance, the actors are moving and dancing around the stage; some of them are holding instruments such as guitars. The set itself resembles an apartment in an abandoned building, where there are several tables and other furniture pieces. At other times the set changes to resemble a street; for example, there is a telephone box. Hence, the set and the props reflect life in New York.
Generally, the music is RENT is based on a guitar solo and the actors singing their lines. The guitars are also accompanied by the drum set sounds during certain songs. Generally, there is either a solo song of one performer or two or three actors singing in an ensemble. This performance has distinct dynamics, with most songs performed in high tempo and in the rock genre. Although most songs are sad because they discuss the hardships of young artists living in New York, such as not having money to pay rent or time to eat, the music accompanying the lyrics creates a cheerful tone of color.
My favorite part of this musical is the song “You’ll See Boys,” performed by the male cast of this musical. During this scene, the group discusses Maureen’s protest against the eviction of a homeless man, and the song features lyrics, “Maureen is protesting…” (“RENT: Broadway Production (Full Live Performance, 2008)”). The cast discusses the attitudes of their roommate Benny, who decided to evict the homeless man.
The least favorite piece in this performance is the “Tango” scene where Mark and Joanne have a conversation about Maureen. During this scene, the actors talk over the accompaniment of a piano, which differs from other parts of the performance that mainly feature rock-style instruments. Hence, it creates a different atmosphere and set up for this conversation. However, because this is a rock musical, I dislike the use of the piano as the main instrument in this part. Later on in this performance, the drum machine and some guitar sounds can be heard, which allows this scene to blend in with the rest of the musical. In addition, the conflict between the two characters creates a sad and uninviting atmosphere. However, this scene is nevertheless important for the plot of the musical.
Overall, this essay discusses the Broadway musical RENT, which is a story about a group of young artists struggling to make their living in New York. The distinct feature of this work is its rock-style accompaniment. The design of the set and the props are minimal, showing the streets of New York or the apartment where the group members live. My favorite part n this musical is the scene with the song “You’ll See Boys,” while my least favorite is the “Tango” scene.
Work Cited
“RENT: Broadway Production (Full Live Performance, 2008).” YouTube, uploaded by BroadwayInHD, 2016, Web.