Cast of ‘Rent’ still finds relevance in its tale

By MIKE CHAIKEN EDITIONS EDITOR The musical “Rent” takes place in a New York City that no longer exists. Originally staged in 1996, the show debuted at a time when many members of the cast in the Connecticut Theatre Company production of the show weren’t even born yet. And if they were born, they were too young to have experienced what the characters on stage have gone through. The Pulitzer Prize winning musical, based on Puccini’s “La Boheme,” is about the lives of a group of 20-somethings trying to find their way in New York City. It is told against the backdrop of the ravages of HIV, drug abuse, and rampant homelessness. Although the story takes place before he was born, Zach Cote of Bristol (who plays the character, Angel, a drag queen with HIV) said he can still relate to the show. He knows, for instance, the lessons his peers have received on the prevention of HIV/ AIDS is directly related to the historical context of “Rent.” He said, “We’re so lucky they still educate us and speak to us about how it was then.” The story is about people who have AIDS, said Sarah Boilard of Bristol, who [...]