`ice Water' Delivers In Clutch For Warriors

2 Charged In Beating Death Waive Rights To Hearings

By JEFF DEAN Times Leader Correspondent
 Friday, December 08, 2000 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 13 





Don't be shocked, but among ``Rent's'' main characters are three
AIDS-patients, one transvestite who met his boyfriend after saving him from a
mugger, two lesbians and a set of parents who appear only as voice-mail
messages. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Implausible? Then consider the fact that since its 1996 opening, the
late-Jonathan Larson's musical re-interpretation of Puccini's opera, ``La
Boheme,'' has netted a Pulitzer Prize, multiple Tony Awards, and most
important to its cast, a dedicated and diverse following. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ``The play reaches people first of all, I think, because of the incredible
music,'' explained Matt Caplan, 21, who plays the show's narrator, Mark.
``Jonathan Larson was a gifted writer. You can't always put your finger on it,
but his music is so clever, so motivated and impassioned and diverse, that it
would be hard not to reach people.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Set in the East Greenwich Village of the 1990s, ``Rent'' explores primarily
the unique relationship issues that have arisen in the age of AIDS,
particularly in this one particular tight-knit community of struggling artists
and performers. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``You really only have to see the show once to understand the type of
reactions it can evoke,'' said Caplan. ``We see both extremes. Some people
stand up and leave, others can't stop coming. Some come a hundred times, all
over the country. Neither surprises me. It is a very bold piece.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Indeed, the story of ``Rent's'' rise to its current lofty heights is as
fascinating as the show itself. Larson, the musical's writer, spent years
toiling in near-poverty to create his vision, only to die of an aortic
aneurysm - at the age of 35 - the day before the show opened. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Tragic by any definition, the irony is that Larson spent his life dreaming
of creating just one, pure piece of musical theater that was true and
meaningful. Monetary success didn't matter nearly as much as the message.
Nonetheless, almost immediately, viewers and critics responded to the
sincerity of the show and the result was a almost overnight, nationwide
sensation. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 To explain ``Rent's'' unique place in American theater, Caplan related a
saying one of his old theater teachers used to have. ``He used to say that
people go to movies to forget, but they go to theater to remember, to go
places. This play in particular can drive deep into people, if they'll allow
it. It will take them on the journey.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Despite the relatively risque subject matter, and the occasional use of
profanity, Caplan said the play often wins over people who never thought they
could enjoy such a play. Critics too have marveled at the ``odd demographic''
seen exiting - quite happily - nationwide performances. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 `` `Rent' will take you on a roller coaster,'' admitted Caplan, ``but it is
an uplifting play in the end. After all, it was wrought to instill a degree of
hope. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``That's the thrill for me as cast member. I'm part of a work of genius, of
a show that actually says something important. I really feel like I'm
accomplishing something outside simple, momentary entertainment.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 WHAT: ``Rent'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 WHERE: Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave., Scranton &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 WHEN: Tuesday through Dec. 17 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TIMES: Tuesday to Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2 and 8 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 p.m.; and Sunday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ADMISSION: $55, $47, $35 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 TICKETS: 693-4100 or www.ticketmaster.com &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

`uplifting,' Award-winning Play Explores Life In The Age Of Aids