A Rent in Their Opinions

In response to Laurie Winer’s challenge, I vote nay on “Rent” (“Another High-’Rent’ District,” Sept. 30). After purchasing tickets months ago, I eagerly awaited the performance. Several Tony awards. How bad could it be?

Thin story line, undeveloped, unsympathetic characters, unmusical, unmemorable score for starters. On the positive side, the production has energy. The actors do, indeed, try. This is a show that might have worked with a more polished script and real music. “When they start singing, they rip your heart out” writes Winer. More like when they start, they blast your eardrums out. I did manage to understand the dialogue. The lyrics were quite another matter.

The comparison to “Hair” has often been made. Well, 20 some years after “Hair,” I can still hum several of the songs. Less than five minutes after the final curtain came down on “Rent,” I found it impossible to recall a single melody.

I’ve come to the conclusion that Winer has failed to see that the emperor has no clothes.

F. YARIV

San Marino