Yes, I watched Rent today. I like a lot of shows, but Rent always moves me in a way no other show can. Surely it is in part because of Jonathan's tragic passing without ever being able to see the success Rent had, playing on Broadway for twelve wonderful years, including winning the Puliter Prize for Drama and the Tony, which he worked so hard for. His music, his words, his life, all reflect in the story and journey of Rent. I totally agree with the idea that Seasons of Love was Jonathan's own memorial. One of the most powerful songs I think I've ever heard. He had a lot of friends who unfortunately passed away from AIDS. His entire show, especially the Will I? and Life Support songs, are a testimony to his friends. The whole show is about friendship, about living life to the fullest, about loving each other, love that transcends gender and race and class. "How do you measure a year in the life? How about LOVE?" All that while transforming musical theater and bringing the worlds of opera and rock and pop together into one fantastic, life-changing show. For all that, and for the wonderful work of all the casts of Rent: the OBC, the cast that I had the privilege of seeing live on Broadway, for the closing show cast and everyone associated with Rent, and to the Larson Family, Rent will always be one of my favorite shows. I will never fail to be moved and inspired by Jon's spirit.
How appropriate that not only do I remember Jonathan by watching Rent for the seven hundred thousandth time, but also this weekend a couple of years ago a very close friend of our family passed away. On this day 6 years ago my cherished grandmother, Meme, devout Catholic and genius of the kitchen (meatball extraordinaire, lol), finally lost her battle with cancer and entered into God's kingdom. Every year I try to honor her name with a prayer. When I was a freshman we said a prayer for her prior to singing at the Family Weekend Mass. My senior year I played a recital in her name (thank you again to all who came, by the way! It really meant a lot to me then and does now, three years later). Now I sadly do not have piano access, but I can still say a prayer for her and for Lorelei, which I try to do every day, and I can honor them here by celebrating their lives and all the good they did for our family.
One of the best things we can do for loved ones who have passed on is to a) remember the good times that we spent with them and b) emulate their example by loving each other and fostering a sense of community and love in others. By loving others we become better people and the world can truly be transformed. I don't care if it sounds silly or cliched, especially considering the problems of global terrorism, racism and wide disparities between rich and poor, but while we certainly can't fix everything overnight, what does it cost us to show genuine love to our brothers and sisters? What does it cost us to smile and be a friend? What does it cost us to tell someone we care about that we love them and that they are such a huge part of our lives?
I pray that we will "forget regret", to understand that there is "no life but today", and that we will always, always remember and spread the love. Thank you Jonathan Larson. Thank you Meme. Thank you Lorelei. Thank you Marie. Thank you Kevin. Thank you, my friends, for reading. Go out and spread the gospel of LOVE.
"It's time now to sing out, though the story never ends, let's celebrate, remember a year in the life of friends. Remember the love! Remember the love! Remember the love! Measure in love! Measure, measure your life in love! Seasons of love, seasons of love."
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I am of the opinion that sharing and showing love in all its forms and glory, should never render it to such classifications as cliche or silly. For those out there that do attach such classifications, I feel for you greatly. You are depriving yourselves of being able to fully experience, and appreciate one of the greatest emotions we as sentient beings are privilaged to know. Rent also touched me deeply, and carved itself a place in my heart and consiousness that is always called to the forefront when I find myself having to stand up for those of us fortunate enough to recognize that who we love has nothing to do with what their gender might be. How lucky are those individuals that have recognized that they have the capacity to find love with someone regardless of their gender. Think, how many more opportunities they have to love and be loved, than those of us who profess to be heterosexual. I for one, envy them. Love is a profound gift, and I can only hope that one day, it will never be constrained or punished by the norms of social acceptance. Until that time, I will beat the drum for love in all its purity and light.
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