RENT: Curtains up, thumbs up

When I found out that the Lake City Playhouse was putting on a production of "Rent" this January, I was both skeptical and pleased. I was worried people of the community would respond in a similar way that Arcadia Nicklay had in her letter to the Coeur d'Alene Press. Judgment, faux-sympathy, moral outrage and displeasure of the themes of diversity and variety of love. Essentially, all of the things that "RENT" itself argues against. 

At the same time though, I think those issues show more than ever that a story like "RENT," a show that argues for acceptance, community, friendship, exuberance and the quality of being able to appreciate and accept love and people, no matter who they are or what shape it comes in, is something that needs to be shown and needs to be seen in our community. Not argued against and shut down so that even those who wish to see it are not allowed to.

If you are truly against seeing homosexuals, or the genderqueer, the impoverished, or those with HIV/AIDS living their lives day by day, then simply do not see the play. While I do think it would be a good experience for you to see how people that are different from you may live, I of course do not think anyone should be forced to see "RENT."

Simultaneously, no one should have the opportunity to see such a fascinatingly themed story taken away from them. Let the show go on.

ALEC FERGUSON

Post Falls