Scarlet Masque Theatre Journal New Beginnings and Fond Farewells Vol. 1 | Page 24

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of this paper more heavily focuses on: One in which traditional values are challenged not only
by the work itself, but by those who view the work and critique it. The dialogue created by
Angels in America shows its influence, yes, but I would contend that the dialogue and influence
itself presents more serious (and heartening) implications for societal value than the art from
which it is derived.
RENT (1996)
Jonathan Larson’s musical RENT may just take the cake in terms of complex and
diverse takes on thematic material and the micro-societal reflections of the LGBTQ+ community
on the work in addition to the larger public view of its enormous success. Issues of genre,
composition, plot, subject matter, authorship, tragedy, and (perhaps most importantly)
exploitation are all means by which the drama was, and continues to be, criticized. The change
in tone of the critiques over time presents itself as a miniature representative model of the
overall structure and “argument” of this essay, painting a portrait of the way sociopolitical status
changes over time.
Jonathan Larson was born February 4, 1960 in White Plains, New York (a northern
suburb of the city) to a liberal Jewish family, and from an early age expressed a keen interest in
music and theatre. He played tuba in the school band, acted in the theatrical performance in
high school, and preferred watching the musicals of Stephen Sondheim and Stephen Schwartz
to the rock and pop groups that his friends oftentimes wished he would go to. Larson went to
Adelphi University in Long Island on an acting scholarship, and moved to New York City upon
graduation. The diversity and rich cultural backdrop of his White Plains upbringing deeply
influenced his work, perhaps most seen in his friendship to Matthew O’Grady, his best friend in
high school who game out to him as gay during their senior year, and remained close
throughout the rest of Larson’s life (O’Grady’s own struggles with being HIV-positive very heavily
influenced crucial plot points of RENT). This is fairly significant to note here that Larson himself