The Springfield Theatre Centre closes out 2024 with the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical RENT, directed by LaDonna Wilson. This joyfully rebellious, 1990s riff on the Italian opera, La Boheme, is set in New York City’s East Village during the height of the AIDS/HIV epidemic. The story follows a group of young artists grappling with homelessness, addiction and disease while yearning to create and connect in a world that casts them aside. RENT transformed Broadway with its raw set design and emotional, rock-anthem storytelling. The band performs onstage alongside the actors, as if the audience has stumbled into a late-night jam session in the East Village. Even though it’s been 30 years since its premiere, RENT’s message is more relevant than ever.
Wilson directed one of the first high school versions of RENT in the nation at Champaign Central High School. When asked why she wanted to bring it to Springfield so many years later, she said, “This show has always had a special place in my heart. I have a friend and former student who contracted HIV, and we’ve had a lot of loss in our community – including some friends and family whom we’ve lost to AIDS. This story is important to tell.”
With the current divisive political climate often touching on RENT’s themes of social injustice, economic disparity and the fight for equality, this production feels especially timely.
“We are still dealing with the stigma surrounding HIV and AIDS, and that of being an unhoused person,” said Reggie Guyton, who portrays Collins in the show. “The level of disrespect that unhoused people have to deal with, even in our own city, is awful. My hope is for people to take in RENT’s message of compassion and community and think about how that applies to where we live, because we control where we live,” said Guyton.
The show itself inspires that sense of community, having drawn cast members from all over central Illinois. Mia Maliyah, who plays Mimi, commutes nightly from Champaign to rehearse.
“I fell in love with the story of RENT, and I was absolutely stunned with how mature the theater scene is in Springfield,” she said. “This is my first show here, and I feel so fortunate to be around this beautiful group of creative people.”
RENT also drew in many newcomers to the Springfield theater scene. Nick Francesco, who plays Mark, moved to town only a year ago.
“I saw a few shows at the Hoogland and was impressed with the production value, so I went for it. A lot of personal stories from the cast have come up with this show, so I’ve gotten close to them. It’s been a great experience,” said Francesco.
RENT is also immersing the community into the production by partnering with area organizations such as The Phoenix Center and the Illinois Department of Public Health to provide PREP information, opportunities for HIV/AIDS testing and a coat collection in the Hoogland Center for the Arts lobby.
At its core, RENT is a story about love and living in the present moment, a message we may need now more than ever. Daniel Maughan, who plays Roger, believes the show provides a timeless sentiment that modern audiences will still appreciate.
“The overall message is the song “No day but today” – that every day is a gift and not something we’re guaranteed. Essentially, we’re ‘renting’ each day, and it’s up to us to decide how we live that day and how we can make the best of it,” said Maughan.
The emotional resonance of RENT, with its themes of loss and love in the face of adversity, takes on a special poignancy during the holidays, a time when Wilson believes audiences are particularly open to its message.
“I’ve always thought of RENT as a Christmas musical because it starts and ends on Dec. 24. It is a ‘love everybody, reason for the season’-type of show. It’s an experience that will touch your heart. You don’t want to miss it,” Wilson said.
This article appears in Asking the public for help.
