Any Rent-heads out there?

College Majors Musical Theater Major
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<p>It is so refreshing to here parents talking this way about a great show like Rent. When I was in high school, I tried to put on a Rent highlights show with the show choir - costumes, sets, and most of the songs with some dialogue in between.</p>

<p>The Christian community ATTACKED me. There was a huge uprising of parents accusing me of corrupting their children by exposing them to this show which, according to them, was about "promiscuous sex and drug abuse." The principal of my school made me give him a copy of the lyrics to every song for review, and then declared that the lyrics to "I'll Cover You" were pornographic in nature - "Live in my house, I'll be your shelter" was interpreted as referring to body parts - and they wouldn't let us use the following words in the show: withdrawal, butt/ass (I will willing to compromise with "butt" but no deal), and AIDS. I also had to cut any homosexuality from the show, and even though I had the perfect man for the job, there were NO drag queens allowed. Then came the kicker - we could only do 3 songs from Rent, and the rest of the show would have to be a B'way revue. And the administration would have to approve the lyrics AND staging of the 3 songs.</p>

<p>It was ridiculous! At the very same school, they had talent shows in which 13-year-old girls danced VERY provocatively in sports bras and miniskirts! At pep rallies, football players would dress in drag as cheerleaders and do comic routines! So it's okay to flaunt young girls' sexuality and make fun of men in drag, but it's not okay to present those same issues in a mature, human way that people can relate to and become better for it?</p>

<p>I really love that you guys aren't like the parents in my community were. I just don't understand how these people can use a religion that preaches love, compassion, and forgiveness to condemn shows like Rent, which are about all of those things.</p>

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<p>Samia, it is not that unusual that a school community might be in an uproar over certain material like RENT. There was an uproar in our communitiy when the HS put on Cabaret (my D was the youngest in it at 12, as a middle schooler could try out and she was a Kit Kat Girl) and while I would not get an uproar over the material itself, some of the uproar was justified because the director chose to dress the Kit Kat Girls in VERY VERY provacative Victoria's secret type underwear....like bras, bustiers, barely anything on, and basically they looked like scantily clad prostitutes. While some might not mind that and are open minded, it was a very poor decision and unnecessary because the Kit Kat Girls on Broadway had more on and such characters wore more back in that day to look provactive...more like tap pants and camisoles or some such, more material, lol. I've seen this show done at my D's theater camp and they were not dressed in strapless underwear like was done at our HS. It invited such criticism of the show when the performance itslelf was wonderful. The entire focus of the community was on how the Kit Kat Girls were dressed (or not dressed as the case may be). Since then, they've done Joseph, Into the Woods, Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma, lol, you get the idea. RENT would never fly here either. However, my D did create and direct two student run musical revue shows and she did have songs from RENT in those. We never heard a word about that fact. </p>

<p>What I find is that you have to kind of know your audience. What would fly at our public school in a small town where family audiences and older folks are drawn to the shows, is not the same as what would fly at my D's summer theater camp. At the theater camp, you get families who are ALL into theater. The camp puts on productions that are not all "safe" kiddie fare. They have put on such shows as Carrie, Sweeney Todd, Chicago, Cabaret, Nine, Merrily We Roll Along, Jekyll and Hyde, Follies,Laramie Project, etc. The families who have kids in these shows and those who attend, are more open to exposing kids to such material. I mean every kid there, no matter how young, surely knew RENT. But we are talking of audiences and families who are open to this type of exposure and experience so there were no problems there over this type of thing. At home, I know I heard once that the school did not want to do Chorus Line because of the song that uses "tits and ass". The summer theater program, however, would have no problem doing Chorus Line. So, I am not that surprised by the story of your school. </p>

<p>I do agree with you, however. I mean these same kids were putting on the drag stuff and what not and watch shows on TV such as Sex and the City, lol. Whatever is in RENT, which is tastefully done, is not about topics that young people today have not been exposed to in the media and TV and the movies. But everyone has their own comfort level. My own kids did see shows of this sort when young and also were reading material not just meant for elem school readers. </p>

<p>About where my D went last night re: RENT....she said it was an awesome experience. It was a benefit for the Tribeca Film Institute, first a gala dinner at NOBU followed by the benefit private screening of RENT at The Ziegfield Theater. Robert DeNiro addressed the audience. Some stars from the film, etc. were there such as Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp, Jess L. Martin, Tracie Thoms. I am not going to share her specific impressions of the movie as most of you have not yet seen it and also I don't feel right about sharing her thoughts second hand. She had a great time.</p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>there are many varying belief systems and viewpoints on this forum. i don't have a problem discussing this movie in a general way and discussing its content. and discussing how people might view it from different perpectives. but let's don't look at those whose views different from yours as narrow-minded or mean-spirited. people have a right to their beliefs and just because you choose to have certain morals and standards and draw your line in the sand that you won't cross,.....does not make you narrow-minded. it's a good thing to know what you believe and be willing to stand your ground in the face of criticism. and please, i'm not saying who is right or who is wrong about what they believe, just that everyone has a right to those beliefs and they don't need to be criticized for what they choose to believe. not everyone on this forum believes the same way. some just choose to not comment so as to not start a negative discussion. and i am not interested in that either. i just want to be able to read here without feeling that my viewpoints are being belittled. it's ok to share your viewpoints, just please don't belittle those who might think otherwise.</p>

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<p>Very well-said, razorback1.</p>

<p>BTW, even at a private summer program, not known as exactly being a hot-bed of right-wing-christian-conservative view points, shows like RENT and Cabaret can raise eyebrows. This past summer, for a production of Cabaret, there was a lot of discussion around the choreography and costumes for the Kit Kat girls because after casting it ended up that not a one was a college student [this was HS/College intensive session], and for the first time that I know of, all the middle school students [12-14] at school had to get written permission from home to see the show at the end of the summer.</p>

<p>I took a friend to the dress rehearsal as she was going to be unable to attend a show [I lean far right and she leans far left], my friend was flipping out after the first ten minutes and my D wasn't even a Kit Kat girl. I saw it for what it was, my D ACTING, and doing a very good job I might add :), in a role totally out of character for her. However, my H and I did make a decision to not take our 11 year old S. He wouldn't have understood the plot and would have possibly been upset to see his sister and friends slinking around in attire that she normally would scream about if she got walked in on wearing.</p>

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<p>razorback, I apologize if anything I said belittled you or your views. That is never my intention when I join in on the discussions here. I actually didn't see anyone belittling peoples' views here but simply discussing our varied experiences. Part of the beauty of theatre, in my opinion, is that it presents us with experiences and points of view which may challenge our own, and thus, helps in educating all of us who watch. Theatre entertains but it also educates and broadens horizons, and, hopefully, some minds, in the process. Issues which provoke thought and discussion are never a negative. The very best of theatre does ALL of those things. </p>

<p>Samia, I'm sorry you had the reaction you did to your attempt for your show. What I've found is that usually the individuals who have the biggest objections to shows like Rent, in particular, are those who have not actually seen the show. Of course, there are people who will not see the show (or the movie) and there will be people who will leave the show in a huff at intermission (I've seen this happen often) but truthfully, I think that it is THEIR loss because they have missed the entire premise of the story that Jonathan Larson created. And when you considered that hundreds of thousands of people all over the world have enjoyed the show for the past ten years, and that millions more will be able to learn to love it from the release of the film version, plus the World Tour which begins very shortly, I think THAT is what is important! Measure in love. :)</p>

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<p>alwaysamom, you didn't offend me. it really wasn't your post that i referred to. i would like to suggest, though, that whether your kids are advanced learners and very smart, has little to do with any of this. many of us have children with high intelligence. we just have differing views about what they should or shouldn't be exposed to. it's not that they could or couldn't understand it. and it's also not about how popular something is or accepted, or how many people have seen it. how popular something is or how many people see it is not a standard for whether something is good or bad. i'm not saying it is bad, i'm just saying that public acceptance of something does not determine its value. i'm not discussng Rent here, because I have not seen it and really am not familiar with its context. just anything in general that some might find offensive. the fact that high numbers don't find it offensive, doesn't mean that it's not. there are many things that have an effective message, but if it's presented in a way that offends my values, then i'll just have to learn that message in a different way. again, you don't need to defend this particular movie. i'll probably see it. but, i'm just making some comments regarding things, movie, tv, etc., that might be opposite the values of many people.</p>

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<p>I have been reading with interest this thread, part of which has to do with how various communities react when high schools or other theater programs wish to stage musicals or concerts that might have some controversial elements. Samia initiated this discussion when she posted that she was attacked by people in the Christian community when she wanted to stage a RENT highlights concert. She stated she was glad to see the parents on this list were more open and accepting.
I agree with whoever said that one has to know her audience and what that audience might find appropriate and inappropriate. I think there is a fine line between theater/art being challenging and exposing people to new things/new ideas/new concepts and offending them. It's definitely a razor edge to walk. Does that mean that high schools should all avoid, like the plague, shows like The Laramie Project? No, I don't think so. In fact, I hope not. I think good theater (and I would assert that there is a lot of good theater happening everywhere, including in high schools!) challenges us. I think that's the case with RENT, and I would posit that most of what people are exposed to in RENT is much more insightful and worthwhile than, say, what the average person might watch in "Sex and the City" or "Desperate Housewives" or the "OC," which is very popular with teenagers. It seems hypocritical to me for parents to allow their kids to watch shows like that (or even like some of the stuff on MTV) and then get upset because of stuff in RENT. (Ditto parents who allow their pre teens to dress like Britney Spears and then bemoan the loss of childhood.)
That's my two cents, anyway.
Lisa</p>

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<p>razorback, I'm glad I didn't offend you. My only reason for mentioning that my kids were advanced learners was that they were exposed to many issues, in books, films, classes at an earlier age than others. It was in response to happydays comment that she thought it was inappropriate for kids under the age of 14, which I happen to disagree with. And since you haven't seen the show, it really just boils down to that. I was not equating the number of people who have seen the show with its 'goodness'. My point was that the wonderful message of the show has been enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of people around the world! Its 'goodness', I think, was never in dispute. The fact that it won the Pulitzer Prize, was nominated for ten Tony awards and won Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Featured Actor, plus six of the ten Drama Desk Awards for '96, has been running for almost ten years in Broadway, has had North American tours running for nine of those years, international productions in more than 30 countries, and a new World Tour beginning later this month, and has more devoted fans than probably any other musical in history, not to mention the number of individuals who have been inspired by the show to go on and do tremendous 'good works', are the things which 'speak' to its goodness. :)</p>

<p>And as if all that weren't enough, the current rush seating policies employed at theatres everywhere have Rent to thank for that!</p>

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<p>Razorback, I am sorry if anything said here offended you or sounded belittling as it surely was not my intent. I am not sure if that is just a matter of inference or what but my posts were explaining where I was coming from but not to say that OTHERS should have a similar comfort level. I undertand those who do not. I explained why for my family, it was not odd or unreasonable to expose our children to theater shows such as RENT. Others will and do feel differently. As I said, what school shows would fly in my little town, which is even an enlightened or liberal area, are not the same as what would be OK at my child's theater camp. Cabaret here was problematic but it was truly due to the unwise decision (in my view) to costume the Kit Kat Girls the way this director opted to do (and while I may have been OK with it, I am fully cognizant that many would not and so I felt that decision was NOT wise as it detracted from positive feedback about the show as the only thing being talked about all over town were the Kit Kat girls costumes, or lack there of). So, I do think for school shows, directors have to think of the audience. I am glad at my D's theater camp that they go beyond family oriented shows and expose the kids to the great works of theater out there such as Cabaret, Sweeney, Merrily, Hair, or Laramie Project. </p>

<p>I agree with others who have trouble understanding how some things on MTV or tv shows like Sex and the City or OC, etc. are fine for their young adolescents but not shows like RENT which deals with issues, more than with being provacative. </p>

<p>In any case, I truly do not believe anyone on this thread has belittled other points of view or frowned upon choices others have made as to whether to allow their youngster to see RENT. For me, I was discussing why I made the choices I have made, but am definitely not inferring that others should make similar choices. Parents must opt to do what is comfortable to them and their values and viewpoints. Other views are welcomed here. I simply chose mine but definitely did not mean to imply mine were any more "right" than the next person's. When asked about letting my 10-12 year olds see RENT, I explained their backgrounds and interests and the level of social/personal/intellectual development that was fitting at the time. While some peers might have been into Disney or American Girls and the like, I had a youngster into Ragtime and RENT and Chorus Line. I'm just describing what she was like, not implying it is preferable. </p>

<p>I would hope that by sharing my own choices or values or views, that it would not be inferred that other views are frowned upon because I don't and I totally understand differing views, values and comfort levels and the choices others have made for their families. I do not frown upon those whatsoever, but simply make my own choices and have shared them here.</p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>Wow! I had no idea that this discussion would take off like it did! I am not saying that the stage version of Rent isn't appropriate for anyone under the age of 14...I was just amazed that elementary school age kids are so into this show. (I have not seen the movie so can't comment on that!) But I guess it makes sense now as times definately have changed. My kids are older than most of the poster's kids on this website and someone mentioned how the kids are more savvy now than at the same age 10 years ago. Isn't that the truth! Thanks to the media they are exposed to so much at such a young age. I remember when 4-8 year olds used to dress in frilly costumes at dance recitals. Now they dress like Britney look alikes. PLEASE...I am not saying this is wrong in anyway but I do find it sad that kids grow up so fast now and are exposed to so much in the media. I waited until my kids were 14 to see Rent (I saw it for the first time with them) on the advice of older students in their dance studio that had seen it. Could they have seen it younger? I imagine they would have been fine. (Believe me, they were well aware of the content before hand.) Please remember that when this show first came out it was the first of its kind and generated a lot of controversy. Since we do not live in or around NYC we do have to limit the number of shows we see on a visit and there were always other shows that fit a family audience that we all wanted to see so there was never an issue of having to say "No". I have now seen Rent three times and do plan on seeing the movie.<br>
I have volunteered with various youth theatre productions. It seems there is always some kind of conflict or discussion about the shows, lines or music being appropriate for different age groups. I believe that "Carousel" and "South Pacific" both generated a lot of controversy when they opened. Now no one would blink an eye about a youth group presenting these shows.</p>

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<p>Happy Days, you are right about the times changing in this regard!</p>

<p>But one thing that made me laugh with my own parents....</p>

<p>Several years ago, my parents wanted to treat my girls to a Broadway show one time and let the kids choose and the girls wanted to see The Full Monty. We live six hours from NYC (in VT) and my parents lived near Phila. and we met them in NYC for the show. My kids really enjoyed the show by the way and my younger one has since gone on to direct numbers from this show in revues she has written. Well, during the show, my parents were aghast that it was about men stripping (well it is about way more than that but on the surface that is the topic). They kept leaning over and saying how could I have let my kids see this show. Then, if you know this musical, at the end of Act 1, the song "Let It Go" involves their strip act (which really is campy and funny) and at the final note, they do strip entirely but the lights flash brightly and you can't see, um, well, everything, as it is so fast. My kids had seen this number actually on the Tony Awards show already. It is presented in such a way that the flash of light obliterates the, uh, details. My parents kept saying they could not believe we were watching this show with the kids. They were embarassed and questioned my judgement. Then, I asked them to recall when I was about this same age, I recall them taking me to the theater in Philadelphia to see HAIR. Hair, like RENT, by the way, was innnovative at its time. But in Hair, there is a NUDE SCENE. Full Monty does not have a nude scene. Full Monty just talks about stripping and then when they take off the clothing, you can't see the images with the bright light. In Hair, the nude scene is not for a split second but actually lasts. Now, I ask you, what is the difference? :D </p>

<p>My own kids saw Hair as a birthday party for my older teen in high school at the time where we took a bunch of kids to an adjoining state to see a professional theater production. It had the nude scene. My older D just traveled to Emerson College to see a student run production of Hair because a friend of younger D's from home was in it, as well as one of younger D's friends from theater camp. I asked if they did the nude scene and she said yes. At my D's theater camp, they have also put on Hair but they do not do the nude scene (youth are in these shows). </p>

<p>So, while times have certainly changed as to what kids are exposed to at earlier ages, I have to say that even I saw Hair when still living at home with my Mom and Dad. </p>

<p>I appreciate my parents taking my children to several Broadway shows or tours over the years (a major treat as we live in a rural area and both girls love theater). In fact, my younger D wrote in one of her theater bios once in a playbill, after my Dad died, that she dedicated her performance to her grandfather who took her to her first Broadway show (Annie). While they may not have agreed with every show the kids saw (and they had NO interest in seeing RENT as they would NOT have liked it), they can know that all this theater exposure they had when young influenced their lives and while only one is going into this field, both still love theater. The one going into it as a profession, has definitely been inspired and has grown in her theater knowledge from these numerous opportunities to see all sorts of theater works. For kids who grew up in the country, they truly have seen a lot of theater. </p>

<p>But in any case, I agree with you about times changing to some degree. Certainly what's on TV or in the movies has changed and some of it is way more adult than a show like RENT. I probably shouldn't mention that we took our kids to a drag show in Provincetown which was entertaining as they were impersonating well known singers. I might be thought of as derelict, lol. </p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>it's just little things like saying an area is "enlightened and liberal," implying that you can't be enlightened and conservative. but, i really don't want to get into some controversy. none of us are going to change the others's views. and for the record, we don't watch those shows and my daughters don't dress trashy. again, i have nothing against "rent." i'm talking about concepts. and we just have a different basic belief here. really no point in debating it. the forum runs from ultimate conservative to ultimate liberal. and no post on a forum is going to change anyone's belief system. and i will say again, (not referring to Rent, in particular) that no amount of awards or recognition determines whether something is right or wrong or offensive or acceptable, and certainly not ticket sales. i've seen lots of things get huge awards that i personally find extremely offensive. and i'm not some backwoods, dowdy person. i know that's how i must seem. i'm a pretty savvy, fashionable person who loves theatre and having a great time.</p>

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<p>PLEASE realize that nobody here is trying to change others' minds. I know I certainly am not attempting to persuade. It is factual that I live in a liberal state and a liberal town. I am not persuading anyone by saying that. It is just the way it is. Even in my liberal area, I felt the judgement to have the kids scantily clad in the show was not wise because it would not go over with those who held more conservative views and I do not think it was necessary to do. It took all the buzz off the wonderful performances and put it on the costumes. So, I was saying even in a more liberal area, it was not a wise move at a public high school. I do live in a liberal area. It is just a fact. I'm not trying to pull someone over to that view, however. I think it is a fact that Vermont as a whole, has a different political climate than Texas, even though each state or region has both liberal and conservative points of view. Both should be respected. I don't see these posts as attempts at persuasion or attacks. </p>

<p>Nobody is implying that those who hold conservative views are backwoods. They simply have different views and I certainly respect those views even if I don't share them. What is acceptable to you may differ from what is acceptable to me and that's OK!</p>

<p>Susan</p>

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<p>razorback, since you don't think that any number of awards, recognition or ticket sales indicate whether or not a show is good, I'm curious what are the parameters you have for determining whether a show is good or not. I'm being totally serious here, I'm honestly curious. As you say, it's unlikely that anyone here is going to have their views changed, but it's always a good idea to make the attempt to try to understand opposing views and perspectives. </p>

<p>Susan, I, too, had the same experience with seeing Hair with my parents. It would be funny if we'd been at the same show all those years ago! Just to continue with the Rent discussion for a moment, my parents went to see Rent with our entire family several years ago. As longtime theatre goers, and thanks to their granddaughters, they knew all about the show, and they enjoyed it very much. In fact, shortly after that, my mom organized a trip with her seniors group to see the show, and their trips in to the city to see Broadway and off-Broadway shows have become a regular event on their schedule since then. If your parents were questioning your sanity about The Full Monty (great show, by the way!), be sure never to take them to see Take Me Out. ;)</p>

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<p>Susan,</p>

<p>You made me laugh with your statement that you took your kids to a drag show in Provincetown. Both of my daughters (the big musical theater girl who is 16 and her sister, a would-be ballerina, who is 11) love the movie, The Birdcage (the stage version is, of course, La Cage Aux Folles) and all the men decked gorgeously as women! I know not everyone in the world is as blase about this as we are (and I respect that), but in my opinion, if men or boys want to dress like women (with all the discomfort that entails, and we gals know what I mean!), that's just fine! Our philosophy is, live and let live. And I agree: The Full Monty is wonderful fun and the audience really can't see anything, and what nudity there is is really incidental to the themes of the show. That musical reminded me of a story I once did (I am a former newspaper reporter) about a nudist camp. Once one gets over the initial shock of seeing a colony of people walking around, talking, swimming, gardening, sunbathing and hiking minus a stitch of clothing (OK, to be fair, some people wore hiking boots and baseball caps!), it's really no big deal. It's the context that makes nudity shocking to some people, and when the context is a lot of naked people, there is nothing shocking about it.
Lisa</p>

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<p>Susan, I didn't mean we were trying to change each others minds. Just that we all have our views and there's not point arguing. and I certainly don't think you think all conservatives are backwoods. I just realize that's how I must come across sometimes. You've taken a lot of what I had to say and responded as if I were talking to you and I was not. I have no issue with you at all. That's one of the problems with a forum like this. There's no eye contact, no inflection and things are very often taken in ways other than intended or who it was intended. I should have just stayed out of this, please disregard.</p>

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<p>alwaysamom, to answer your question. I think ticket sales and awards are a reflection of the general public and those giving the awards. I just think we each have to decide what is of value to us, based on our own values. For me personally, a show has to fall in my belief system. I don't go see nudity, etc. And, then I probably look at the same things you do, the storyline, acting ability, quality of production. I realize that as a conservative, I view things through a filter that most in the world do not. It's just a personal enjoyment for me that determines whether I think a show is great. Many movies have gotten great reviews and I thought they were horrible. I'm sure everyone has seen movies they did not like which received awards. so, that's my best answer to your question.</p>

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<p>AlwaysAMom...I saw Hair in Philly likely in the early 70s. Actually, I am positive that my Dad would not like RENT. You see, I respect all viewpoints. I know what he'd say about it. He had no desire to see it and that's fine by me. He likes shows like The Producers. Actually he hated NYC but my mom grew up in NYC. Going to shows there was more to make his wife and grandchildren happy. He liked the more old fashioned stuff. I know he would not have liked the themes in RENT. And so it is. My job was not to change his mind. </p>

<p>Lisa,
Our kids have vacationed in Provincetown many times and like it there a lot. I recall when my kids were young and we were there during the time when they had their parade and all in summer so even more guys in drag were on the street than usual but even usually there are many milling around or hawking the drag shows...and my younger D named them "mangirls". We all laughed. I'm glad my kids were exposed to all sorts of things because otherwise they grew up on a dirt road in the mountains in a town of 1700 people and would not be as worldly as they are now. At Brown, my older D is mixed in with kids from all around the world from many different backgrounds. The diversity is an education in itself. My younger D is thrust amongst the city of Manhattan now and while she is a country kid, she is really aware of those from a background far from her own. Friends here may live in a mobile home or not have much and last night she was at a gala (that I did not pay for, nor could ever afford) amongst wealthy people paying $750/ticket, worlds apart from her world, and believe me, she took it all in. I'm not even talking the liberal vs. conservative issue but merely different backgrounds. She has been asked by a family from the musical program where she now has a job in the city, to babysit for their kids and the pay, taxi service and lifestyle will surely be an eye opener. Studying abroad is another eye opener. Seeing an array of performing arts in the city like she is now in college, opens her eyes to even more. Those on the streets of NYC, well, a far cry from our resort town oasis. All these experiences expose them to different views, and lifestyles, but then we each make choices for ourselves. I'm glad she has been amongst a spectrum of people, lifestyles, and viewpoints. She can converse with the farmer guy in town who has lived here as has generations before him their whole lives or some sophisticated city dweller who is well known or rich and has been over the world. She can assert her views/perspectives but listen to other views in class. She is not shy to back up her own, however. Believe me, it was a heated dicussion once between her at age 13 or so discussing Iraq and other issues with my dad. :D</p>

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<p>Susan,</p>

<p>You make me want to send my D to Tisch just by what you write here. What fantastic opportunities.</p>

<p>Being exposed to all kinds of people with all different backgrounds and points of view is invaluable, I think. I want my daughters to be able to have that experience (though they often do, here in Baltimore!) and to grow up to form <em>their own</em> points of view, even if those viewpoints and politics do not mesh with my own. As long as those viewpoints are informed, thoughtful and based on facts and critical thinking, they are worthy of respect, imo.</p>

<p>To be honest, I would think that tolerance in a broad sense is probably an asset when one is going into the theater world or any other of the arts. Artistic people are not always the most conventional in the world. </p>

<p>By the way, I love the term "mangirls." I have to pass that along to my D.
Lisa</p>

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<p>Susan, same here with Hair. In Philly, early 70's. :) Provincetown is a great place. We've visited there every time we're on the Cape. When our kids were growing up, we vacationed there almost every summer. It's one of my favorite spots in the world, any time of year.</p>

<p>Different lifestyles, backgrounds, experiences are such wonderful things for all kids to have the opportunity to view, but I think I agree with you, Lisa, that it is especially so for our drama kids. They will be living in a world of artists, the vast majority of whom are unconventional, each in their own way. :) This summer my D who is at Tisch spent six weeks in Kenya which was really a life-altering experience for her. All of these varied experiences and exposures add to the 'vault' which they draw from when they're performing on stage, each one, enriching the individuals that they are and contributing to the thinking, tolerant, accepting adults that every parent hopes their children become. </p>

<p>Back on topic! I just watched the cast of the Rent movie perform on the shores of the East River in Brooklyn, with the skyline of Manhattan in the background, on Ellen's show. I hope all of you saw it! Very excited for Wednesday!</p>