A local theatre group in Atlanta has made the “bold and artistically courageous'” decision to reimagine Rent as a nineteenth century opera. Fathom Montague, Executive Artistic Director of Peachtree Community Theatre Playhouse, explained, “Rent is a beloved jewel in the world of musical theatre. After thirty years, we thought that the jewel could use a little polishing.”
“We’ve presented Rent here four times over the past seven years,” Montague continued. “Inexplicably, attendence has dropped with each subsequent staging. Clearly audiences love Rent, but the diminishing attendence tells me that they want to see it in a new iteration.”
“As I watched the world participate in the Nineteenth Century Opera Challenge on TikTok, I realized that I had found the path forward for Rent. We will remove the late twentieth century trappings of synth rock and out of tune guitars,” Montague said. “In order to move Rent forward, we must move it back to the opulent days of nineteenth century France.”
“I majored in Operatic Studies at Juilliard. I’ve always been passionate about opera,” Montague continued. “After recently conducting extensive research on nineteenth century opera, I became reacquainted with the greatness of Rossini’s The Barber of Seville, Verdi’s Nabucco, and Wagner’s Das Rheingold. Those timeless works will shape our new vision for Rent.”
“I’ve been writing the new book, music, and lyrics for Rent. Audiences will be refreshed and enthralled by my take on the piece,” Montague explained. “Here’s the new synopsis: Mark and Roger are struggling barbers and singers. The story opens outside their barbershop as they make plans to woo their respective love interests, Angel and Maureen. The ladies are the popular comic duo Deux Frenchies, but what they really want to do is sing. In classic opera buffa tradition, the four would-be star-crossed lovers frantically run through the twenty squeaky doors of the merchants near the barbershop. As the chase ensues, the four sing the show stopping You Okay, Frenchies?”
“After hearing the raucous song, Mark and Roger’s landlord, Benny, appears on the barbershop’s roof,” Montague continued. “Angry after hearing their loud singing, he proceeds to throw rock-filled berets at the four would-be star-crossed lovers. After climbing off of the roof, Benny chases them through the aisles of the theatre, which will be a real hoot! Benny will then sing a rousing waltz called One Song Beret.”
“Next, we take a peek inside one of Angel and Maureen’s hilarious Duo Frenchie comedy routines as they perform the hilarious Stomp-inspired extravaganza Light My Baguettes,” Montague said. “Their drum sticks will be freshly prepared baguettes! At the end of the routine, their final and largest baguette drum sticks will be set ablaze! The show-used baguettes will be sliced into bite sized morsels and available for sale during intermission!”
“We next learn that the local opera house is in financial peril. Building owner Benny has been continuously raising the rent to pay for his eclair addiction. There’s only enough money for the opera house to operate for one more month, so opera executive director Tom decides to write a new opera as a fundraiser,” Montague explained. “At the casting call for singers to perform in the opera, Tom laments the lack of talent among the townspeople. Frustrated at the small number of people auditioning for the show, Tom changes costumes fifteen times as he plays all roles in the opera. Audiences will be tapping their toes to his hilarious song – Seasons of Opera.”
“After learning of Tom’s unsuccessful auditions, Mark, Roger, Angel, and Maureen, all show up at the opera house to audition for Tom. Because it’s a blind audition, Tom doesn’t realize that he’s hearing the voices of the four would-be star-crossed lovers,” Montague continued. “After the individual auditions, Tom blindly pairs Mark with Angel and Roger with Maureen as they all sing the show stopping ballad I’ll Lover You. Realizing he’s found the perfect leads, Tom announces that the new opera will open a week later.”
“Finally, or should I say finale, it’s opening night! The town is abuzz for the new opera and it’s a packed house,” Montague gushed. “The four would-be star-crossed lovers actually fall in love on opening night and the new opera proves to be immensely popular! After only four weeks, enough funds are raised to save the opera house. In a tribute to the precise amount of funds raised, the entire company sings the triumphant polka Five Hundred Twenty Five Thousand Six Hundred Dollars.”
“And – do you know the name of the opera that they perform?” Montague asked. “It’s called Les Rent! And that’s what our new version of Rent will be called ! It’s a show about producing a show! Theatre audiences love meta references!”
Not one to rest on his laurels, Montague already has his theatre’s next journey in his sights. “After Les Rent, we’ll be putting a new coat of paint on another classic,” he explained. “We’ll be taking My Fair Lady and removing all the songs. We’ll be stripping it down to it’s bare bones. It will be called My Poor Language.”
