View this post on Instagram
Rent was a milestone in queer representation when it was first staged in the ’90s. The musical put queer characters at the forefront and told their stories. What makes it even more remarkable is that their queerness isn’t a big deal. They just existed, fell in love, bickered with each other, and sang about the bohemian life.
9 Works Theatrical is staging a new production of Rent, and it continues the musical’s tradition of celebrating its queer characters.
“When Rent came out, it was very taboo to even have anything related to LGBT at the forefront of any material. That allowed for some shock value for the viewers watching at that time. Now that the world is more open for discussion and there are things we are more privy to now, it’s allowed us to view the material with modern eyes. What we see are love stories instead of just queer couples or token gay characters. These are people like everybody else,” said Justine Peña, who plays Maureen Johnson, during the open rehearsals attended by WhenInManila.com.
View this post on Instagram
Besides breaking boundaries in terms of sexual orientation and gender identity and expression, Rent has another purpose: to highlight the HIV and AIDS epidemic in the ’90s, which continues to affect the Philippines today.
Louie Mar A. Gangcuangco and Patrick C. Eustaquio, in their study The State of the HIV Epidemic in the Philippines: Progress and Challenges in 2023, said that in the past decade, “the Philippines has gained notoriety as the country with the fastest-growing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic in the Western Pacific region.”
For this production, 9 Works Theatrical puts HIV and AIDS front and center instead of the virus serving as the musical’s backdrop. Robbie Guevara, the show’s director, wants to remind audiences that the virus still exists and that everyone should be aware of it.
Markki Stroem, who plays Benjamin “Benny” Coffin III and Tom Collins in certain performances, said during the open rehearsals, “In the Philippines, since sex education isn’t prevalent in a lot of schools, there are a lot of people who are still scared. They go out, and they have their sex discreetly. They’re starting to get sick, they’re getting lesions, and they don’t know why. Then suddenly, they die of some unknown disease. Their parents don’t want to talk about it because it’s a taboo.”
View this post on Instagram
The actor is also an ambassador for LoveYourself, a volunteer community providing free HIV testing, counseling, and treatment.
Stroem noted that things are changing. He said, “It’s great to see so many people living with HIV come out and step forward so that other people may protect themselves, whether it be through condoms, pills, or if you already have HIV, the medication so that it doesn’t evolve into AIDS.”
The actor added, “It’s important to note that the more we talk about it, like this musical, the more people will know and protect themselves instead from possibly contracting it and fearing that they’re going to be looked down upon by their friends and family. That’s what we’re trying to do at Rent: continue to spread the message that you can live a full and productive life. But protect yourself, get yourself tested.”
To know more about HIV testing, screening, and counseling, please visit LoveYourself, Red Whistle, or the Positive Action Foundation Philippines.
Rent will be showing from April 19 to June 1, 2024, at 3 PM and 8 PM on Saturdays and Sundays and 8 PM on Fridays. The show is staged at the CPR Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati. Tickets are now available via ticket2me.net.
For partnerships and ticket or show buying inquiries, you may reach 9 Works Theatrical via info@9workstheatrical.com, 7586 7105, or 0917 554 5560.
You may follow them on Facebook and YouTube (@9WorksTheatrical) and Twitter, Instagram & TikTok (@9WTonline) for updates.
What do you think? Share your thoughts below!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at story.wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com Community at WIM Squad. Join our Viber group to be updated with the latest news!
