Musical RENT by Michael John Warren

Description

HELPFUL HINTS:
• An essay has the following elements:
o Atitle
o Anopeningparagraphthatincludesyourmainidea
o Supportingparagraphsorganizedintoevidencethatsupportsyourmainidea o Aclosingparagraphthatsummarizeshowyoucametoyourconclusion
• When answering the essay prompts, think beyond simple questions of plot details and dialogue. Many theatrical elements may be used to support your analysis of Miss Saigon in terms of character and plot development as well as the authenticity of the characters and the setting. Additional items to consider are costume design (especially when you compare the way characters with similar social status or occupations are dressed), set design, lighting, music, choreography, etc.
• You must give credit when you use anyone else’s words or ideas with MLA format (unless you specify another format).
• For all essays, offer specific evidence using at least THREE different characters, scenes, songs, or plot points from the show to support your argument.
Also please remember:
• The name of a book or show should be italicized.
• The name of a chapter, article, or song should be in “quotation marks.”

The Essay Prompt Question:

“Family” has multiple meanings in Rent. Why does this show need more than one definition of family?
A. Four of the five “Voice Mail” breaks include messages from the parents of Mark, Joanne, Roger, and Mimi. Based on the content of the messages, the fact that none of the messages generates
a call back, and we never see any of these family members on stage, how would you characterize these relationships? Refer to specific voicemail messages and contrast the characteristics of these relationships with the relationships between the main characters. Use specific evidence from at least THREE different scenes or songs from the show to support your argument. Your main idea must explain the relationship between the bullets you use….
B. In “Goodbye Love” (during the squabbling after Angel’s funeral), Collins sings “I can’t believe this family must die.” Is Collins right about this group being a family? Define “family” and use specific evidence from at least THREE different scenes or songs from the show to support your argument. Your main idea must explain the relationship between the bullets you use….