RENT: Let message hit home

As a cast member in the Lake City Playhouse production of "RENT," I felt compelled to add my voice to the discussion on the merit of performing such a "scandalous" piece.

I would argue that now is the perfect time for a community, such as Coeur d'Alene, to be presenting this work. We are all aware of the vastly deteriorating conditions of our local homeless. The recent beatings in Spokane have made us vastly aware of the growing homophobia in our community. North Idaho is well known for its past intolerances based on irrational fears/racism/religious fanaticism.

Christmas is the time of year in which "RENT" begins and ends. The whole message of Christmas is that love is eternal and universal; love cannot be defeated and is something that is carried within all of us. Whether that love was born in a stable in Bethlehem or found between unlikely Bohemians in New York City, that love brings a community together, makes it stronger and improves the lives of everyone that it touches.

Our community includes those who are homeless, on drugs, lost, gay, straight, Christian and non-religious; and sometimes we need to see the other parts of our community so that they are not forgotten or ignored.

I think that I can speak on behalf of the cast when I say, we are excited for the opportunity to perform RENT for this community. Some of you will enjoy the show; others will not - that is simply the nature of theater.

HALEY COHEN

Coeur d'Alene