Strollerderby

Pretty sure you've oversimplified, here.  Have you seen Rent?  It has a song that's an orgy.  I don't care if you're homosexual, heterosexual, or a rabbit.  High schoolers don't need to be in a musical that includes an orgy.

Oh, PS, I really like Rent and have seen it multiple times.  I'd let my high schooler see it, and I think it could be great for opening doors to new conversation.  But I think high schools are wise to choose what they put out there to the public and what they produce with their tax money and tuition money.

There is an orgy scene in the B'way production, but I agree- that's likely out of the School version.  I am curious to know what about homosexuality as portrayed here is offensive to these schools - is it that a gay relationship is the most loving one in the whole show?

I'm inclined to agree with the previous posters.  I don't think that homosexuality is the issue, I think the drug use and promiscuousness (regardless of who's diddling whom) is the issue.  Many high school students are mature enough to handle Rent, but I think it's a better idea that the parents introduce the mature themes then the schools.

When I was in elementary, a travelling group came to perform "Grease" at my school. My mom was MAD when she found out. I didn't understand why for quite a while, but now that I've seen it: Why in the world would a musical that deals with possible pregnancy be performed for kids age 10 and under? It was crazy. Even though the post is about high schools, I don't think that schools should invite groups that perform, or perform themselves, musicals that deal with such topics as "portrayals of homosexuality and theft, and...frank discussions of drug use and H.I.V." What about parents of the 17 year-old star who want to take the younger sibling to the play? Rent would be totally objectionable.

So, if you object to producing "Rent" in a high school you are automatically: "intolerant," "afraid," or simply having a knee-jerk reaction to feeling "uncomfortable."

I know nothing about this issue, but is it really impossible in your view to voice an intelligent, thought-out objection to this Broadway play, toned down though it may be?

When people disagree the other side is not always made up of ignorant, intolerant bigots, although it is easier to label them as such in order to shut them out of discussions.

The scene and subsequent song "Contact" is not an orgy, it is a metaphor.

i have done it .when it was being put together i was the lighting designer for it in Ma .it works .the story gets told and they didnt cut any of the charm and magic of the broadway version .there are people who just dont get that this is what is out there in the world and kids have to or have dealt with it

I think it's a good idea for schools to put on "safe" plays. Why?  Because cleaned up versions of good plays suck.  My HS put on a cleaned up version of Hair that just flat-out didn't make sense it was so sanitized.  Let the schools put on Our Town, and take the kids to see Rent.