As the blue-toned lights illuminated the tall wood and metal platform standing on the Bluett Theatre stage, the cast of SJU Theatre Company’s production of “Rent” crooned the musical’s titular song, desperation clinging to their voices.  

Based on the 1896 opera “La bohème” by Giacomo Puccini, Luigi Illica and Giuseppe Giacosa and written and composed by Jonathan Larson, “Rent” follows the story of a group of friends and artists navigating poverty, houselessness and the AIDS crisis. “Rent” won both the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize in Drama in 1996. 

Renee Dobson, M.F.A., associate professor of performing arts and director of the musical, said “Rent” was one of the first musicals that featured queer relationships in the principal cast. The principal characters are, Dobson said, not simply characters but reflections of people who were combatting the AIDS epidemic.

“I hope that [audiences] find some empathy for one or more of the characters,” Dobson said. “I think this show is really trying to communicate human empathy for some of the suffering that the characters are going through.” 

Dobson said the cast and crew feel they are communicating an important message to audiences. Specifically, Dobson pushed for an ensemble curtain call, where the entire cast bows together, not just one by one. 

“I think that says a lot about what it takes to do the show, which is a group of people that are absolutely entwined and committed to each other and they can trust each other out there creating it,” Dobson said. 

Sara Stoud ’27 plays the role of Joanne Jefferson, an ivy-league educated lawyer with powerful parents and the girlfriend of performance artist Maureen Johnson. The community aspect of  “Rent,” Stoud said, is crucial to relay on stage. 

“I really hope that [the audience] takes away the community that we try and build, and the story that we try and tell — that Jonathan Larson tried to tell,” Stoud said. “I think it’s a really powerful message, that there’s no day but today, that today could be the last day, that this could be the last hour, last minute and that you should cherish every moment with the people that you’re with.” 

Ryan Garvey ’26, who plays Mark Cohen, an unsuccessful filmmaker who narrates the show, also stressed the importance of community. Garvey said his character functions as a storyteller who enables voices to be heard that otherwise would not be. 

“I hope they take away that community is so important to everyone,” Garvey said. “In any walk of life, you need people, and regardless of where you come from — your social, political, economic background — no one’s out here doing it alone. We all need each other.”

Sydney Wynn ’26, who plays Mimi Márquez, an exotic dancer who is HIV positive and struggles with substance abuse disorder, said she hopes audiences step away from the show and approach others with kindness. Wynn said her role reflects the importance of living authentically and in the moment.

“I think the audience should remember to look at each other and remember that all of us are human, and no matter what happens, no matter what we look like, no matter what we act like, no matter what hobbies we’re interested in, no matter what people we love, no matter what ethnicity we are, no matter what we believe in, what we don’t believe in, we’re all human, and we’re all just trying to live together,” Wynn said. 

Dobson further described the show as “brave,” as she feels it “wakes up” society. During the production, Dobson chose to feature images of the AIDS crisis and protests that help the audience to understand the historical context of the time.

“In theater, I always say we hold up a mirror to life as it is, not as we want it to be,” Dobson said. “And in this sense, we’re holding up a mirror to life as it was in the 1990s and then asking the question, ‘Have things changed, and have some things not changed, and what can we do to create the change to make society better?”

“Rent” runs Nov. 15 at 8 p.m and Nov. 16 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $20, with discounts for students, faculty, staff and senior citizens. Tickets can be purchased through email and Venmo in advance or at the door by cash, check or Venmo.