by Young Chang
LA Times
December 23, 2000

There's a name for these people. The ones who follow the musical "Rent" through cities and states. The ones who know all the songs by heart and maybe even the script.

They're called "Rent-heads" or "Rent-groupies," according to the show's cast members. And they haven't gone away since the show first appeared on stage almost five years ago.

Fans and actors can understand why.

Thomas Irwin, a third-year student at Orange Coast College who will see "Rent" at the Orange County Performing Arts Center next week for his fourth time, does not consider himself a Rent-head. But he feels the sentiment.

"I can understand how a teenager or a young person would want to follow something or grasp onto something that's going on," Irwin said. "Especially 'Rent' that is so educational and moving. You get so much out of it. It's real life, it's not just a show."

The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical by composer, lyricist and librettist Jonathan Larson tells the story of struggling artists in New York's East Village. They grapple with situations like AIDS, drug-use, homosexuality and homelessness as the story communicates messages about love and loyalty.

The story behind the creation of the musical is just as compelling. Larson died of an aortic aneurysm on the day that the show opened in January 1996. The original cast, in a grieving state, started that night with just a sing-through. But the theater spirit and memory of Larson took over unexpectedly. Emotions and tears charged what ended up to be a full-blown performance.

Since then, the rock-opera, as cast members call it, has traveled around the world and attracted followers.

"I think it's timeless to a certain degree," said Jacqueline Arnold, who will play the role of Joanne Jefferson this week for her 14th month. "It's about living your life for what it is right now and not worrying about tomorrow. That's been since time has begun."

The set is not elaborate. There are three walls and some tables.

"It says a lot to our society without candy-coating it and making it pretty," Arnold said. "I think it's a beautiful piece."

She said she understands the die hard "Rent-heads."

"I think that people are listening to the story line," Arnold said. "They know the show better than we do."

Cary Shields, who has been playing the role of Roger for two and a half years now, identifies with the show's message about unity and family. He sees how this would appeal to young kids.

"I'm excited to see theater that reaches out to somebody beyond the usual theater crowd," he said.

Irwin said he never tires of seeing the show because he picks up on a new message each time.

"It makes you appreciate your life and what you have," he said.