inconsistency in Rent (the musical)

[juldea]

A thought occurred to me this morning that might serious hinder my love of Rent, or at least give me something to rant on about it.

The background arc of the whole first half of the musical is how this open space that can be put to use by the homeless and by bohemian artists is going to be torn down and replaced with an office building. Maureen's existence in the first act is as the artist who is so protesting this idea that she writes herself a one-woman, one-act play to present in that very space. She cares about it. She is personally invested.

Yet when she shows up at the end of act 1 (riding her motorcycle through a crowded flea-market-type area of Alphabet City in seeming disregard for injuring other people) her first line is, "Joanne, which way to the stage?"

She doesn't know where her performance space is? The one she's written a play to save? The one she's so vehemently protesting the removal of?

Comments

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Hmm, okay, your first paragraph there makes sense, or at least enough so that I'll let it past my barriers.

And if you remember, the "free stuff" mentality was never one I was a big fan off. ;)

[slammerkinbabe.livejournal.com]

That said, I can't imagine being an adult and still being super Into the parts of Rent that are all "we should get something for free" and "I can't believe you actually got a job."

Yeah, Jonathan Larson had some Issues in this respect. λ and I were watching the movie version (HAAAAAAAAATE -- but I still ♥ the music) the other night and I was like "Honey, I have had a breakthrough! My determination that I should keep a day job at least until I actually get a book deal makes me a HORRENDOUS WHORE OF THE SOUL, and I must quit immediately lest I taint the purity of my artistry with transcription-cooties! By the way, we don't really need electricity, do we?"

She didn't think this was a good idea. I can't imagine why.

I agree with the prev. commenter re: "which way to the stage," though. I'm pretty sure Joanne constructed an actual stage within the performance space. I also always pegged that less as a serious question and more as her playing up the drama of her entrance, but who knows.

Also, am I correct in suspecting I am at least partially responsible for the existence of this post?

Also, my friends list seriously has issues with syndicating your entries, and that is why all my comments to your entries come late, when it seems as though I have missed something and I actually go back to check. Blah, LJ.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Stupid livejournal! I'm important, put me on Kylie's list!!

The thing about Rent was it was one of the first alternative-culture things that I allowed myself to like. Believe it or not, I used to be a staunchly conservative Republican who listened to Rush Limbaugh and said... well, I said a lot of very bad things I wish now that I hadn't said. Interestingly enough, it was moving to Oklahoma for high school that threw me in with a crowd that started to change that for me. Then I went to college, where the above introduced me to Rent, and while I wasn't pinko enough to accept all the premises of the bohemian lifestyle, I really liked the musical! Which was still revolutionary for me. Zomg teh gays, and all.

And yes. You are responsible for this post being made, because "Christmas Bells" was stuck in my head for DAYS, damn you!

[shadowravyn.livejournal.com]

I was always under the impression that Maureen was much less about "must stand up for the homeless" and more about "Benny's a sell-out" and "Look at me! I'm STANDINGUPFORTHEHOMELESS OMG! OMG!" Besides, inconsistency is sorta what Maureen's all about--a la her relationship with joanne and her infidelities.

Though red_ervish has an excellent point, too.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Okay, you're right about the inconsistencies. I dunno, I did feel that she was honest about caring about the performance space, it's just her honesty doesn't ... mean much? I guess. Hehe.

[thetathx1138.livejournal.com]

The one who tells her girlfriend she'll just have to suck it up and accept her cheating?

I believe it.

For the record, you never want to discuss "Rent" with me, unless you want a bitter, lengthy rant about it.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Hah. I've got a roommate still if I want anti-Rent rants. I don't expect everyone to love it or like it or tolerate it, no worries. It definitely has flaws. ;)

[crimson5.livejournal.com]

Wasn't it supposed to be some sort of art school/showcase utopia? No I don't recall the "sell-out"'s name, but wasn't that what he was promising them at the very start?

[juldea.livejournal.com]

Yeah, he wanted to make a large corporate studios out of the space, but of course the bohemians didn't trust him. ;)