RENT Production Protested by Parents at Rowlett High School - Texas

[MacBook183LVR]

The people who are trying to put a stop to the show are the ones who need to witness Rent and the amazing message that is given by the amazing Jonathan Larson, RIP <3 There are millons who love, adore, and appreciate the amazing masterpiece that Jonathan left behind.

[setsunaproductions]

Psht, this is so stupid. Parents cant shelter their children forever and if the children can't handle it in high school then they don't have to attend the show or be a part of the production. I heard a lot more offensive things walking down the halls of my school than you do in RENT

Dumb ass close minded parents shouldn't stick their nose in where it doesn't belong

[XXCRYSTALPXX]

I went to that school. It pissed me off when they had to cancel it. I was looking forward to it.

[clayto1332]

LOL anyone else see the irony in the insecure dad pulling his gay son from the Rent cast???

[thealexx3]

Wow.. I like how he was like "it's not appropriate because it deals with issues like homosexuality and transvestites... and other issues"

Like drug use isn't as bad as homosexuality? What a closeminded world we live in. Honestly, I'm sure the parents could handle everything else, but because some of the characters are gay, it's suddenly unacceptable.

[nmzanie]

this is so stupid!!!!

[whitetiefilms]

Its so awful to censor a show. Theatre is about expression and learning about the world around us, and drugs and sex and homosexuality are part of human life.

And consequences of a homosexual lifestyle? That doesn't even make sense.

Rent is about LOVE and measuring everything in your life not by its description: gay, HIV positive, transgender, who the hell cares? LOVE shouldn't be banned like these narrow minded adults were trying to do.

[KamakaziFrogs]

Okay, I live around this same district as Rowlett. We were all so mad when they canceled the show because we wanted to see it so bad! High School theatre is the only type of theatre we have down here in Texas! It wasn't fair to anyone that just because some parents didn't like it, we couldn't see it...

[atla18]

So wait. People are surprised that a school in Texas has problems with a show with Gay People in it? I want to know at what point that is a surprise to anyone.

Leave it to an out of touch generation to not realize that the point of the show has nothing to do with gays or heroine, it's about living each day like you might not be able to tomorrow. Forgive me for the pun, but there's no day but today. It just so happens that the REASON they realize that is BECAUSE they're all so close to dying.

[alexxmegan]

hahah i HATE micheal gallops.

hes a faggot he lives like right infort of ma and always freakin makes shit up about me and my friends so FUCKKKK you micheal gallops gets over it

[hotintexas76]

@alexxmegan - choose your language wisely when posting things on the Internet - especially on my page.  The word "faggot" is completely unacceptable and you should apologize for using it.

[alexxmegan]

@hotintexas76 haa,uhmm no i wont apoigize because thats my opinion.

Don't like it get the hell over it.

Kayy?(:

[hotintexas76]

@alexxmegan Having an opinion is fine, but not at the cost of using derogatory language and offending people in the process. You have much to learn, and I hope that one day you will understand. Now, because of your ignorance and blatant disregard for LGBT persons, you have been blocked from this thread.

[omgitskee]

CONSEQUENCES of being homosexual? xDDD

Wooooow, ignorance IS NOT bliss, Paster Kasen Huddleston. Btw, you have a funny name.

[bigt4life]

@omgitskee your comment made me lol. you're so right. xDD

[dxstaaa]

This wasn't at all gonna be about aids or being homosexual. It was going to deal with family, and community! FAMIlY AND COMMUNITY!! Like they said a bunch of the stuff was not anymore in the script. But the shallow people in Rowlett can not get past what is on the outside and what they have seen in the musical to even try and understand the real meaning of what RENT is all about. So suck it rowlett homophobic jerks, we have a BROAWAY MUSICAL about us, called SPEARGROVE PRESENTS on 4/5/10!

[hermanrdeh]

I think this is crazy. It is a great musical. Of course, I would NEVER have know that had Rowlett High School been so judgmental. I had never seen Rent and when I saw the controversy at Rowlett HS I had to go see it and thank goodness it was in town at DSM. It was absolutely a fantastic musical. Yes, a little controversial but our kids can't live in a bubble forever.... they have to experience things to learn and grow....give them a chance!

[TheWonderlandAsylum]

fyi its not just texas, everywhere is being this stupid, its just a play for gods sake.

[splitz2008]

i fucking hate those homophobic idiotic texans!

fuck them all.

what the fuck are the "consequences of homosexuality" ??

fuck you , fuck you fuck you.

I hope that douchbag "pastor" gets aids next time he's fucking a whore behind the church!

[seoul588]

Leave it to stupid Texans to cancel the show. Idiots. Why don't they just leave the Union already?

[The1BionicPigeon]

wow. that's the stupidest thing i've ever seen. people shouldnt be protesting against a show just cuz they dont like wats on the surface of it. they should look deeply at the internal message this show is giving people. jeez

[ilikebeanslots]

if you are going to change the musical than just don't do it and choose a different musical

[ave4YAKnEFFILCDArNAD]

I was so upset that this show was cancelled. there was a simple solution to this. if you the parent did not want your child "exsposed" to this show DONT BUY A TICKET!!!! yes its about homosexuality and drugs but almost everyone these days have been "exsposed" to these topics. and now our theatre company is in debt because of it. to the parents who shut us down THE ONLY PERSON YOU CAN KEEP FROM WATCHING THIS IS YOUR KID! YOU HAD NO RIGHT TAKING THIS AWAY FROM EVERYONE ELSE!

[cnote2b]

and i dont like how the school boards are against things that only the bible says is wrong. that poisses me off because how can they call it a public school if they are using catholic rules

[kryptoniteblows]

Oh my gosh..Seriously?!?!?!?! Its high school..when I watch the show, I dont think of AIDS or Homosexuality, its about 8 friends struggling. This show relates to high school...well the school edition does. We all struggle to fit in, to be accepted...They arent forcing the students to change lifestyles. Its the students choice to perform in the show. RENT relates to anything and everything in the world today...Im my opinion, so what if AIDS is in the show, It informs high shcoolers...

[emmasilvers]

How are teens supposed to be educated about these modern day issues if no one ever talks about them? Its not fair to our generation that parents can whitewash what we hear and see. This is the real world, and this play will help many understand the struggles and hard times of others.

NO DAY BUT TODAY

[funkydotfizz]

there's so much more to the story.

I don't even think of AIDS or homosexuality when I think of this show. I think of struggle and learning to love yourself and those around you. There were many cuts to the show for there to even be a school version. It isn't encouraging people to be gay or strippers, it's encouraging young people to be true to themselves.

[ijoinedthemcrmy]

ok so i go to that school and the theather company is so much in debt because so biggot fucktard parents. seriously?!? rhs is the stictest school. do you really think its going that far? i know of FRESHMAN at rhs who have aids because of gay sex. and i know ppl in high school who are going to have sex changes. it is real life issues and just cuz ppl are homophobic doesnt mean they should put the only department of our school with any talent in debt to the point where now we have to pay for shows

[Superdreamer21]

"it dosent deal with the consequences of the homosexual life style... having aids"

OK so..

1.how do you know there are any consequense for those kinds of life styles? because the bible says so?

well the bible also says to love your neighbor...

AND

2. its a high school these are issues these kids deal with EVREYDAY!

this is the real world...and dont get me wrong im christian i go to church...

but its still wrong to judge someone on there CHOICE of life style.

[olitwist]

RENT is a musical masterpiece! Who care if it has some things that one might say are controversial! I'm sure that most of the kids have seen things worse! I am POSITIVE that almost all of these kids have seen a far more controversial movie of some sort!

[XDAznRocr]

RENT isn't about drugs or sex or violence! Yeah, some lyrics have "mild content" some could say, but it's about life, love, friendship, and Jonathan Larson's way of life, No Day But Today! I mean, it's not like these students never heard of drugs or violence or whatever! RENT is my all time favorite musical and I'm only 12!

[longbeachlt]

thats sick ! they doing gay plays in schools now how fucked up are we now!

[hotintexas76]

You guys hang in there. There's an entirely different world that exists beyond the confines of high school. All the oppression, hatred and just plain ignorance you are experiencing will seem to melt away once you're able to tackle the world as an independent adult. Born and raised in Texas, I now live in NYC and it's so inclusive here, it's almost not real. But, the battle is still not over. Fight hatred with education. Stand up. Be heard. Its our best defense.

[pmpknking]

Did any one read the script?!? Or better yet, have they even heard the music!!!!!!?! It's moving.

"der...it's about drugs, sex, gay people, and AIDs. der-de-do-do-derrrr!" IT'S ABOUT LOVE, FRIENDSHIP, AND COURAGE!

[theNERDyay]

DANG i dint get to watch this vid on the news im just now finding it

My friend was supposed to be in it

we even put together a mini strike during school we just had banners and stuff nothing violent

plus wake up parents at rhs alot of us there are gay

i have about 10 gay friends there

i thought we were moving fowards in Rowlett

[ActingDude17]

These people make me ashamed to call myself a Christian. The Christian religion is LIBERAL, not conservative. Jesus said to love when these people hate. Before they start condemning people they should look at the log blocking their own eye.

Leave it to conservative Texas.

[hippiechick95]

Heaven forbid kids are exposed something that might corrupt us. No Day But Today.

[hippiechick95]

sry, i meant that sarcastically. I don't think that homosexuality and transvestities corrupt children.

[lilactress717]

Oh puhLEASE. These parents make it seem like it's better to keep their children's eyes shut to the real world. Newsflash!!! You can't do that forever. So they should stop trying to "protect" them from learning things they might not love personally. RENT is amazing, and I think everybody should have the oppurtunity to see it, if not perform in it.

[ofelixdacat]

These parents are stupid. The fat-ass at the end said "It doesn't deal with the consequences of a homosexual lifestyle, a lesbian lifestyle of having AIDS, or being addicted to heroin", Since, of course, Mimi nearly dying at the end has nothing to do with her having aids or being a heroin addict. Just another example of closed-minded hicks judging a book by its cover, & thinking they know whats best for their children, but really, they are being stupid.

[jigshoes]

That kind of reaction makes me crazy. The parents were given AMPLE time to say NO, .and they pulled this out that late in the game? A: The School Edition is highly HIGHLY cleaned up B: RENT doesn't say 'Go out, get drugs, be gay' it's main message is live each moment as your last, and do so with TOLERANCE & LOVE 'MEASURE YOUR LIFE IN LOVE' ---not hate & fear. And for the 'dark'- it's shows rising ABOVE the dark of life - celebrating life in the face of death, joy in the face of sorrow.

[ImHyper11]

i dont c wat the heck the religious-conservative have against gays and transgenders y does it have to be such a big thing! i mean seriously the book in the bible that talks about how homosexuality is wrong also talks about how 1 must contact their priest b4 cleaning the mildew in their house! (leviticus LOOK IT UP!) and hello mr insane preacher guy it does too show the consequences of their actions angel DIES 4rm aids & mimi nearly dies from a combo of aids and drugs which she got the aids 4rm!

[chatad213]

i was sad when they canceled it we had all of angels clothes made at the school alot of the drama people in the musical and not in it wore buttons for it. but unfortunatly it got canceled we had a lot of great singers and actors in it

[supersingerevan]

that's really sad, and frankly pathetic on the parents' part. talk about being small-minded and just plain inaccurate. the show absolutely shows the consequences of drug use, as with Mimi, and the horrors of AIDS, as with Angel. as for the homosexual aspect...of course there are no consequences. it's not a "lifestyle CHOICE", so there's nothing to punish.

[chatad213]

yes. parents dont really get that its everywhere now. they cant protect us forever and this musical actually showed what will happen and what u most likley dont want to go through

[bigt4life]

Think how many people in that school have AIDS, or are homosexuals or transvestites. Or tor really put it out there, the number of kids in highschools doing drugs. Theres no need to censor it at all, if you ask me.

[Writewolf90]

I'm a Christian, and a RENThead. I really think people in that community need to actually SEE the production before they make any assumptions. They're jumping to conclusions when in reality: RENT is one of the most uplifting, inspiring musicals I've ever seen. It's message is relavent to everyone. That's what Jonathan Larson wanted for it. He was writing it to prevent this kind of stuff! Seriously, open your minds people!

[2laidbackguys]

Oh God, get a life. Ignorant people are so annoying, especially in 2009.

[GinchGonch86]

Why did this news channel only show people who opposed it? Where are the people who are for it besides the theater booster school board? They should have spoke to the teens who are IN the show? That one boy should have spoke out instead of giving in to his parents.

[ImHyper11]

its because its fox and fox is really conservative and sucky.... not saying that all conservatives are sucky... just the majority of their beliefs :P

[GinchGonch86]

Most of those parents haven't seen the show...lol This school shouldn't do Rent, but are allowed to do The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas...lol...that sounds wholesome.

[BroadwayKing15]

I'm Catholic and i love Rent. It DOES teach you the consequences of your actions and it adresses REAL issues. Plus it gives a message that you have to live everyday like it's your last and not dwell on the past. Teens are tired of doing Oklahoma and Annie. We need something new!

[Thewaiter525600]

Me too! Yay for Catholic RENTheads!

[hoxiewdw3]

soo.. because we watch RENT and enjoy it.. we will all become homosexual heroine addicts.. mmhmm.. interesting..

ppl are sooo closed minded..

[albinobuddy]

amen!

god! i wish i could do rent in our high school!

[emoMUSICisLOVE]

that first guy who spoke needs to go to hell

homosexuality and transvestites are not "explicit" and many many high school students are homosexual and transvestive

[texaslady4life]

Another Prayer Answered For Rowlett.

Thank You GOD!

See Praying At The Flag Pole Really Help's!

It Shows That GOD Answers Prayers When He's Ready! And GOD was Ready! Once Again

THANK YOU GOD!

[Thewaiter525600]

You're right! YAY for intolerance and small-mindedness! as a Christian RENThead and a cast member of the first production of RENT in Mississippi. In my opinion, if you want to show God's love, let it go on because it teaches that diversity and tolerance and LOVE are the best traits anyone can show. I believe it was Jesus who said Love your neighbor as yourself.

In the words of RENT and THE BIBLE:

"LET HE AMONG US WITHOUT SIN BE THE FIRST TO CONDEMN!"

[davon907]

Thats messed up I feel rent should be seen by everyone because its a life changing musical my school will be performing rent on march 27,28,29 and i happen to be angel's understudy!!!!

[Kristinr978]

Why do we feel the need to constantly expose kids to the "dark side" of this world. They have already seen enough darkness. High Schools should put on productions that are uplifting and positive. It may be only positive experience these kids are exposed to.

[emoMUSICisLOVE]

have you even seen rent?

its one of the most uplifting musicals ever

it has an awesome message.

sure theres a death and a few break ups, but it has a happy ending

[KNDprincess]

This is so messed up! "New York City Center of the universe Times are Gritty?" like really guys? why not "Times aint pretty!" I've heard about this since it aired and I think this is awful! this is destroying a great mans work! you changed it and from what I can tell made it SUCK! do yourselfs a favor and stick to something kid friendly and try HSM instead of a REAL show! How old are you guys? did any of you actually see the real show? I've seen the real thing 3 times! I cried Don't ruin RENT

[hotintexas76]

You should keep in mind that any production of RENT further justifies how great of a masterpiece the show really is. It pays homage to the courageous and creative man who wrote the play and it helps teach and diversify with its strong message. Even if the the show is edited for youth, it still carries with it the educational powerhouse that opens hearts and minds to so many important real-world issues that we are faced with daily - even in high school.

[Zangya]

I need to transfer to Rowlett. They do REAL stuff. If the kids are mature enough to handle the situations in the play, then why aren't the parents? =/

[Zangya]

This is fucking stupid. GO AHEAD AND DO RENT. GOD. I LOVE that musical. I think everyone should see the musical to clear up the ignorance that most people have about gays and people with AIDS. Hell. You guys are lucky your theater teacher even THOUGHT about doing this place. I go to LCHS, and our theater SUCKS, no offense to our theater teacher. we do plays that NO ONE has heard of. While other schools are doing High school musical and up to date stuff that people would PAY to actually WATCH.

[crdbaby123456789]

wow you change rent its not rent anymore the guy who wrote it died the day it was going on the stage and there people go change it hey i no the kid they interveiwed and like i dont see why they just dont keep it the say

[finklekicker]

this musical is very deep... It isn't like most musicals... but sending the wrong message to high school students? are they assuming that homosexuality, drugs and aids don't exist among high school students? well they do and rather than run from it why not embrace it... knowledge is power and this production has the capability to change the way people understand things... it did for me

[potterwatchers]

Or why not be the woman at the board meeting who so vehemently fumed that ROWLETT will become the next SAN FRANSICO. That is ignorant, and I'm sorry they feel that way, but it's our show and we have a constitutional right to perform it, the board has approved of it as well as our principle and superintendent.

[potterwatchers]

The people who are against us performing RENT have the right to oppose, just as we have the right to put on a show that my fellow students have been rehearsing for months. Some of these disapprovers have pointed out that the leads will begin to become homosexual/ drug users themselves, that statement is absolutely ridiculous.