‘Rent’ meets a new generation of Chinese audiences

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Time has not changed the common experience of being young and struggling in a big city. That's probably why the hit musical "Rent" still strikes a chord with audiences, even after two decades.

Debuting on Broadway in 1996, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical will hit theaters in China from August to October.

‘Not typical’ Mimi and ‘happier’ Roger

Created by Jonathan Larson who passed away right before the premiere, “Rent” tells the story of a group of friends living in New York, struggling with drugs, AIDS and relationship problems, but trying to pull through with their loved ones.

Deri’Andra Tucker (L) plays Mimi Marquez and Logan Farine (R) plays Roger Davis. /CGTN Photo

Two of the leading characters, Mimi Marquez and Roger Davis, will be brought to life by Deri’Andra Tucker and Logan Farine during the China tour.

Mimi, an exotic dancer and drug addict, is Roger's love interest, a once-successful-but-now-struggling musician. Both of the characters are HIV-positive.

“I’m not the typical Mimi,” said Tucker, referring to the short hair she wears, which is different from former Mimis’ long curly hair. “It’s a fresh new take on the character.”

Farine told CGTN that he wanted to bring more joy to Roger, who looks grumpy most of the time. “Whenever the emotional roller coaster happens, I go for it,” he said.

Cast performing during a fan meeting event in Beijing, China, June 21, 2018. /CGTN Gif

The romance between Roger and Mimi can sometimes be unpredictable and dangerous on stage.

“Sometimes it’s a little windy in the theater, I have to light matches and she has to keep a candle lit,” said Farine, referring to the song “Light My Candle” which requires the actors to light a real candle with matches multiple times on the stage.

“Sometimes the wax gets on my hand... I’ve gotten it on his clothes before,” Tucker added.

A new generation of audiences in China

The last time “Rent” was performed in China was in 2005, which means it will face a completely different fan base in its upcoming tour.

"Rent" will face a new generation of audiences in the upcoming China tour from August to October. /JUCOO Photo

The actors believe that the show will be well-received by this new generation of audiences.

“When it first came out, I was about six years old. I couldn’t relate to the story at all,” said Tucker, adding that she can now relate to many characters of the show with her experience as an adult.

“It’s a story that everyone can connect with in some way,” said Farine.

Besides the cast, themes of identity and chasing your dreams have also resonated with young Chinese audiences.

“My experience of studying alone in Beijing is similar to the characters from the show,” said Wang Xinyun, a musical student from Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province.

“When I watch it, I feel that these young people are giving everything to pursue their dreams, which inspires us,” she added.

Cast dance with audiences at a fan meeting event in Beijing, China, June 20, 2018. /JUCOO Photo

“The stories and characters in ‘Rent’ are opposite of me. But the opposites are actually the driving force for me to watch it, to discover another self in my soul,” Zhu Xuejia, a female fan told CGTN.

Living in the moment

“Rent” is built around the themes of “living in the moment” and “love,” which are recognized worldwide.

On stage of last month’s Tony Award, students from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School drama department performed the song “Seasons of Love” from the show to remember the 17 people who were killed in the Florida high school shooting in February.

A stage photo of "Rent" /JUCOO Photo

“You never know what life throws at you, you just have to be resilient,” Tucker told CGTN.

“I think that’s what these characters are, they still keep pressing it, keep moving, even though they are about to be evicted. They are working together…fighting for what they believe in,” she said.

“Forget regret, or life is yours to miss,” Farine quoted the lyrics from the show. “You can’t change the past, you can only influence your future,” Farine said. “I try to make the best of it all.”

Two lines were mentioned most by fans when asked for their favorite lines from the show:

“How do you measure a year in the life?”

“How about love?”