Borrowed time

MANILA, Philippines - An untapped desire to do something relevant struck me the first time I saw Rent some five years ago. Like me, the audience was fascinated by the raw exuberance of characters, reaching out no matter how strong their fears.

The mood, the twists and plots of the musical revolved around a group of friends, struggling young people in one of the most fast-paced city in the world — New York. They hold down numbing jobs to support their artistic dreams, while coping with life, survival, love, friendship, drugs, poverty, sexual confusion and AIDS.

Each had their moment — in high spirits, heartbreaking peril, victorious jiffy, what not. It is a 35-song score rock opera that loosely transposes the story of La Boheme to Manhattan’s present-day downtown bohemia, blending contemporary pop music with theater.

I personally thought it was something daring and experimental that broke the barriers of a typical Broadway play. It amazingly articulates the unspoken hopes and fears of society, moving audiences powerfully as they do with lyrics that make you wonder how one must value his time in this borrowed life.

The impact is so enormous ‘til this day that each time I hear the songs being played, it gives me the throat-choking feeling that takes me back to that breezy night in when I first saw the musical. It talks about how we measure the years in our life, how we put meaning to 525,600 minutes, an analysis on what the definition of time really is.

Upon seeing the opening act — a young, HIV positive punk rocker sings of how he lives only for “one song, one glory, before I go,” the whole thing prompted me to research on the life of it’s creator. Such is the yearning of its lyrics’ cry that it would induce chills and even greater throat-choking when I learned that its genius, a 35-year-old author-composer-lyricist by the name of Jonathan Larson, had not lived long enough to see Rent’s very first run.

On Jan. 25, 1996, when it was no more than an experiment scheduled for a limited Broadway run, Larson watched the final dress rehearsal, went home and unexpectedly died of an aortic aneurysm. Just imagine the throbbing amount of emotion the entire original cast and production staff dealt with on its opening day. It can only sum to painful triumph.

The unspeakable sad story of Larson’s death on the eve of the triumph for which he had hungered all his life gave even more meaning to the musical. With continued interest, I later on learned how he had sacrificed his life to his work, waiting on tables for years, writing for Sesame Street and Land Before Time at some point, sustaining himself with the “sunny thought” that his talent would one day lead to his breakthrough. It did, only he was gone.

As 2009 soon comes to an end, and a brand new year about to unfold, I come to realize that time is all about the capacity to love knowing that despite our borrowed moments, it’s really the size of our spirit and how we choose to spend it that matters.

For Jonathan Larson, there was a prophetic urgency to squeeze as much as possible into what time remained of him that he put so much value to it with the staying power of his ceaseless outpouring of melody and song. With lyrics that strikes like thousands of thunder volts, it lingers, refusing to let anyone who hears his voice pay no attention to time and abandon hope.

Rent is back in Manila! And for those who missed it or would like to experience this life-affirming musical all over, this is your chance! To be staged by 9 Works Theatrical and directed by theater veteran Robbie Guevarra, the February 2010 run is set on Feb. 5 to 28 at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater in RCBC Plaza.

The talented cast includes Gian Magdangal as songwriter Roger Davis, Fred Lo as filmmaker Mark Cohen, and Nicole Laurel Asensio and Cara Barredo alternating as dancer Mimi. The cast will also feature OJ Mariano as Tom Collins, Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Maureen Johnson, Noel Rayos as Benny Coffin, Job Bautista as Angel Schunard and Jenny Villegas as Joanne. Ensemble members include Guji Lorenzana, Johann dela Fuente, Raul Montesa, Gary Junsay, Ring Antonio, Peachy Atilano and Anna Santamaria.

To reserve for the opening matinee on Feb. 6, 2010, call 0920-9148175, 0917-7941984 and e-mail nodaybuttoday2010@gmail.com