Blurring the lines between life and art: 'Rented Bodies'
By: Tatiana Craine, Arts Editor
Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: The Arts
The cast of "Rented Bodies" is diverse as the memorable personalities seen in "Rent." Josh Porte plays Mark, the narrator and filmmaker who documents his friends over the course of the show. Peter Walters plays Roger, an HIV-positive musician who staves off loneliness with an exotic dancer. Earnest Simpkins plays Collins, a teacher with AIDS and anarchist tendencies. Shantee Rosado plays Mimi, a heroin addicted exotic dancer with HIV. Chloe Mirzayi plays Angel, a street musician with AIDS who is the glue that holds the friends together. Eboni Dunbar plays Joanne, a lawyer involved with one of Mark's exes. In addition to directing, Rachel Bernstein plays Maureen, Mark's bisexual ex who uses performance art as a means of protest.
Bernstein's choice to play Maureen seems an interesting if not ideal choice, since Bernstein herself is protesting the status quo of quiet discrimination in the world. Bernstein's goal with "Rented Bodies" was to use a well-known, and well-loved musical and make it into a "stories-project" that the Macalester community could become more aware of the issues of discrimination on campus. She wanted to put on a show that does more than entertain, Bernstein said, "["Rented Bodies" is] combating this idea of a phenomenon being a singular representation of different types that we're really trying to do."
The performers in "Rented Bodies" have become especially close over the past few weeks of rehearsal. The culmination of their many hours of work will come when they perform in the Weyerhauser Chapel. They will be performing some songs, but Bernstein says, "The musical itself is only a small part of the performance. A lot of the performance will be personal narrative from the cast. The work-shopping we've done will be right out there for everyone to see, instead of hidden. I think the stuff we've got is quite compelling."
As a Penumbra Theatre Ambassador, Bernstein tried to uphold their mission to "provide the community with thought-provoking art that 'illuminates the human condition.'" The production reaches for this goal, and according to cast members-succeeds. Bernstein said, "This production symbolizes the culmination of four years of study around issues of identity and representation." "Rented Bodies" seems like a fitting closure at Macalester for Bernstein, a senior this year.
"Rented Bodies" will be performed on Tuesday, March 10 at 8pm in Weyerhauser Chapel. Free and open to the public.
Bernstein's choice to play Maureen seems an interesting if not ideal choice, since Bernstein herself is protesting the status quo of quiet discrimination in the world. Bernstein's goal with "Rented Bodies" was to use a well-known, and well-loved musical and make it into a "stories-project" that the Macalester community could become more aware of the issues of discrimination on campus. She wanted to put on a show that does more than entertain, Bernstein said, "["Rented Bodies" is] combating this idea of a phenomenon being a singular representation of different types that we're really trying to do."
The performers in "Rented Bodies" have become especially close over the past few weeks of rehearsal. The culmination of their many hours of work will come when they perform in the Weyerhauser Chapel. They will be performing some songs, but Bernstein says, "The musical itself is only a small part of the performance. A lot of the performance will be personal narrative from the cast. The work-shopping we've done will be right out there for everyone to see, instead of hidden. I think the stuff we've got is quite compelling."
As a Penumbra Theatre Ambassador, Bernstein tried to uphold their mission to "provide the community with thought-provoking art that 'illuminates the human condition.'" The production reaches for this goal, and according to cast members-succeeds. Bernstein said, "This production symbolizes the culmination of four years of study around issues of identity and representation." "Rented Bodies" seems like a fitting closure at Macalester for Bernstein, a senior this year.
"Rented Bodies" will be performed on Tuesday, March 10 at 8pm in Weyerhauser Chapel. Free and open to the public.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Apostle Shada Mishe
posted 3/06/09 @ 7:01 PM CST
THE CURE for HIV/AIDS.......AMBUSH
THE IDEA that AMBUSH cures AIDS
is being proven by the more than 400 individuals who have taken a dose of 60 ml three times daily for 21 days. (Continued…)
Post a Comment