SDSU Theatre presents Broadway hit musical “Rent” from May 2-8

As the iconic song from the hit Broadway musical goes, there are “five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes” in a year, and the School of Television, Theatre, and Film invites you to spend 150 of those minutes watching their memorable and captivating production of “Rent.”

“Rent” runs May 2 to May 8 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday performance at 2:30 p.m. in the newly renovated Main Stage Theatre at SDSU.

Director and choreographer Courtney Corey, a master’s student in musical theatre at San Diego State University, played Maureen in the national Broadway tour of “Rent” and said her history with the musical inspired her to lead the production at SDSU.

“I feel like I have a torch from all those days, and I feel it’s my passion and my responsibility to take that torch and pass it,” Corey said.

Created by Jonathan Larson in 1996, “Rent” follows a group of artists living in New York City’s East Village and captures a difficult time in the city’s history when drug addiction, poverty, and HIV/AIDS were widespread, causing social and economic turmoil for many.

“‘Rent’ has had a huge impact on me since I was a teenager, and stepping into the role of Mark has been a dream of mine ever since,” said Anthony Methvin, a master’s student in musical theatre at SDSU who plays Mark.

“It’s easy to see why so many folks feel so moved by the show,” Methvin continued. “It’s all about connection (and) finding a group of kindred who you lean on and lift up.”

Through its compelling characters and exploration of themes such as friendship, resilience, and loss, “Rent” is a musical experience that captivates audiences with its raw authenticity, emotional depth, and rock-infused soundtrack that captures the fragility and preciousness of life.

“I have been listening to ‘Rent’ since I was a little kid,” said third-year musical theatre major Dante Nathaniel, who plays Steve and others, and understudies Angel. “My mom would play the Original Broadway Cast recording in the car on the CD, and I loved it even before I understood what it meant. It feels very full circle to me, though, as this has been a dream show of mine since I started doing theatre.”

Rebecca Murillo, a master’s student in musical theatre at SDSU who plays Mimi, said that throughout her life, “Rent” has been a musical that has always held a special place in her heart.

“When I was in middle school, after my parents had told us to go to bed, I would put in my two disc copy of the ‘Rent’ Original Broadway Cast and act out the whole show in my bedroom,” Murillo said. “The show spoke to me in such a profound way at that point in my life. That sweet, young, theater obsessed 15-year-old is with me at every step of this process, which makes this project even more meaningful.”

Actors have been rehearsing since the beginning of March, but preparations for the musical have been underway since the Spring 2024 semester.

“Our director, Courtney, has such a clear vision for this show that we have been so efficient with all our blocking,” said third-year musical theatre major Robert Bednar, who is a swing for Steve and Mr. Jefferson and understudies Benny. “The biggest highlight so far has been choreographing ‘La Vie Boheme.’ It’s the Act 1 finale song, and it is a whole ensemble number with so much energy.”

The show will include an exhibit in the theatre lobby, featuring sound stations with headphones for viewers to use, activism artifacts from the Lambda Archives of San Diego, and artwork from Paul Edmonds.

“(Edmonds) is one of five people in the world that has achieved HIV remission, which is incredible,” Corey said. “His art very much speaks to activism, the world of this pandemic, and the hope that can be seen through all of the pain.”

“The show speaks to love persevering and becoming the reason we as humans are able to survive these moments of tragedy,” Murillo said. “We strive for connection that makes sense of the chaos this world throws at us.”

In coordination with the show, Arts Alive SDSU will present a panel discussion on April 23 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Aztec Student Union in Templo Mayor room 231 with collaboration from the School of Public Health. The panel will discuss the musical’s themes of addiction, LGBTQ+ representation, race, and HIV/AIDS through a modern lens.

“With ‘Rent,’ Jonathan Larson captures so beautifully this community of young people who find, in the midst of death and disease, the joys that make life worth living,” Murillo said.

Despite “Rent” taking place in the 90s, Corey said its themes are not specific to that time period and are still relevant today.

“They don’t just live in that bubble,” Corey said. “We’re still living these issues.”

Methvin said “Rent” captures “a moment in time where things often felt impossible” due to the lack of affordable housing, ostracization of people of color and the LGBTQ+ community, and the AIDS crisis. He emphasized that one of the biggest themes of the musical is how one’s “found family” can help through all the uncertainty, reinforcing the importance of friendship and support systems.

“We are still grappling with the lessons of the past that ‘Rent’ asked us to examine,” Methvin said. “The big, beating heart of the show, coupled with its incredible music and fantastic opportunities for incredible performers, is what got the show its Tony and Pulitzer. It’s why, all these years later, ‘Rent’ is still performed and still changes lives.”

To purchase tickets, visit the School of Theatre, Television, and Film online box office.