Students rise to support the controversial production of “Rent” at Corona del Mar High

April 26, 4:16 PMDC Community Theaters ExaminerJamie Hardy

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LA Times photo of Corona del Mar version of "Rent"

The students of Corona del Mar High School take on the left and right of the American political spectrum in their defiant prodution of "Rent". Ever since its inception the student production of “Rent” was embroiled in controversy. “Rent” a production set in the East Village of New York is the story of struggling artist. Some of the characters are gay and have AIDS or drug problems. It’s a story about love and inner strength. “Rent” is the winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize. The students at Corona del Mar High School produced a modified version of the Broadway musical.

Theater director Ron Martin said he selected the production in an effort to teach the students of Corona del Mar tolerance. He said it was a response to anti-gay comments he heard at the school. Controversy erupted around the production as soon as it was announced. The show was almost canceled, prompting the ACLU to sue the school alleging the school fosters a homophobic and sexist atmosphere. In addition, the production faced protesters from Westboro Baptist Church. The church claimed that god hated the school for enabling gay people.

Westboro, classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, is best known for picketing the funerals of American solders that died in war. The group was also publicly noted for its planned protest at the funeral of two young Amish girls. The group claims that these people were intentional killed by God because of the sins of America, most prominently the acceptance of homosexuality.

Opening night protesters from the church arrived at the school. They were greeted by 200 students guarding the entrance to the performance. The students carried signs that said “god hates no one” and “love is not sin”. The students sang songs from the musical and then confronted the small group of Westboro protesters yelling and waiving their signs. The members of the Westboro church left shortly after, leaving the production to take place in a whirl of excitement and anticipation.

Let’s hear it for the students of Corona del Mar for standing up to pressure from the extreme religious right and the left of America to prove that at Corona del Mar love is equal and the show must go on. These courageous students stood up for the rights of others and did it with song and a theater. Demonstrating how valuable the arts can be in the development of young people. If you want to support the effort these young people put forth I say find a local production of “Rent” and attend. “Rent” will be at the Warner Theatre Tuesday, May 26 to through Sunday, May 31. Tickets range from $40 to $80 dollars and are available through the Warner Theatre web page or in person.