Northwest Missouri State University - Tower Yearbook (Maryville, MO)

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costly .life struggles Racy performance causes conflicting audience views. by Megan Heuer Students and community members packed Mary Linn and watched two hours of song and sometimes suggestive motion as actors told the story of friends encountering poverty, satire, death and love. Encore Performances presented Broadway ' s touring musical Rent Oct. 20 at Mary Linn Performing Arts Center to audience members anxious to see such a big act close to home. I absolutely love it, Jaennie Schaffer said. It ' s better than I expected it to be. Schaffer said the bigger, the better when it came to bringing entertainment to campus. Schaffer said even though the show upset some of the older viewers because of the content, but it was an unbelievable show. I think it ' s going really well, Ashley Cunningham said. I ' m kind of worried about reactions because it ' s such a small conservative town. But, I think it ' s something they need to see, and so, in that way, it ' s a good thing. The story began in New York City where characters Roger and Mark were struggling to make rent payments to former roommate and current landlord Benny. Benny was attemptingto turn their building into a high-tech cyber-arts studio. As other friends pushed their way into the action, love unfolded between numerous characters through melodic passion and an occasional outburst of rock style expression. There were several scenes with sex as the obvious topic. Some audience members were caught off guard by the racey content and open sexuality of the show. I was really surprised, I felt like one of those 4-year-old kids that has some one whisper ' sex ' and I ' m like ' Oh my God, ' Nathan Smith said. After Mark and Roger ' s friend Maureen attempted a protest to rescue the building. Throughout, humor and audience participation never failed to keep everyone on the edge of their seats and lighten the seriousness of the situation. After intermission, Seasons of Love, the most notable song from Rent, brought audience members back to their seats for Act Two. Following was a moment no satire could lighten when Angel, Collins ' partner and friend to all, was lost to AIDS making the rest of the group realize the importance of love. The friends came together, after a year of trying to stay apart, to mend broken hearts, and the ending earned a standing ovation. Although most returned to their seats for the second act, some audience members left at intermission. To me it is not Broadway perfection at all. I ' m from the New York area, and 1 have seen a lot of shows, and I ' ve never walked out on one before, Missouri resident Ruth Gladstone said. Gladstone said the music and dance were not what she expected. Student Sarah Smith disagreed with those who left and said she believed it was time something like this made its way to campus. I ' m really glad it ' s here at Northwest. I ' m finally glad something came that has culture in it, Smith said. I think it ' s appropriate because it ' s on a college campus. I love it, I think it fits our age group and it fits what we do and how we act, and I love it. 26 rent DESIGNED BY I ASHLEE MeiA

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Marie Beatty and Jessie Nielsen work idfA ' lher to remove the chipping, white paint. Beautifying Residences Using Student Help. an annual fall event. aided homoowners in need, phofn hv M hr Dvn Staining wood, Christine Rusco spends her time working on a home in Pickenng for Habitat for Humanity. I just do it to give back to the community and to make others feel good. Rusco said. photo by Adam Watson Students worl together to rejuvenate one of the homes chosen for Beautifying Residences Using Student Help. More than 100 students lent a helping hand during the two day event. photo by Mike Dye volunteer Student Life 25

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Mark and Roger express defiance toward paying rent. Tine production kept audience attention with loud music and participation, pnoio by Mike Dye Characters Mark and Roger are shocked to hear their landlord is shutting down their building unless they come up with past due rent. The roommates supported a protest their friend Maureen demonstrated, photo by Mike Dye After being mugged. Collins retreats to Mark and Roger ' s apartment. The struggles each character encountered were what brought them closer as friends, photo by Mike Dye Features 27