You can produce 'RENT' with an all-white cast, but why would you?

Original cast of ‘RENT’

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

I was recently alerted to two local productions of the musical ‘RENT; both of which feature all-white casts. While there is nothing in the licensing that says the casts must feature diversity among its performers, given what the musical represents, it’s surprising that theatres would choose to produce it this way.

For those not familiar, ‘RENT’ is based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme, Jonathan Larson's iconic musical follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

Typically in most productions, the cast features a wide range of diversity - both in racial background and even gender identity. Which is why it was surprising to see two theatres, both in or near diverse regions, decided to move forward with productions with all-white casts.

But rather than focus on these theatres, I want to talk about the importance of making sure productions of ‘RENT’ continue to feature necessary diversity in its casts.

The first surrounds authenticity and representation. ‘RENT’ is set in the diverse and culturally rich neighborhoods of New York City's East Village, which has a history of being a melting pot of different ethnicities, cultures, and identities. By casting an all-white cast, a production would fail to accurately represent the racial and ethnic diversity of the setting, thereby erasing the experiences of BIPOC who have historically inhabited and contributed to these communities.

The show addresses issues such as poverty, LGBTQ+ rights, addiction, and HIV/AIDS, which disproportionately affect communities of color. An all-white cast in these roles may come across as cultural appropriation, as it potentially dilutes the impact and significance of these social issues by divorcing them from their real-world contexts.

And in the case with characters such as Mimi, attempting to portray characters of color with white actors may lead to harmful stereotypes or caricatures. This can reinforce harmful biases and perpetuate inaccurate depictions.

‘RENT’ was created during a time when discussions about diversity, inclusivity, and representation were gaining prominence - both within the story it tells and the theatre industry itself. The musical celebrates diversity and challenges societal norms. Disregarding this message by casting an all-white cast contradicts the intentions of the creators and the spirit of the work.

There are few musicals that have the power to truly educate, challenge, and provoke thought. ‘RENT’ is a standard-bearer when it comes to these things. An all-white cast could diminish the authenticity of the story and fail to connect with audience members who have personal experiences related to the themes of the musical.

But if you wanted to cast an all-white production of the show, could you? Yes. From what I’ve seen, there is nothing in the licensing agreements that mandate a diverse cast or cast roles as they were written to be portrayed. Shows like “Hairspray” and “Little Shop of Horrors” have such requirements. Many times shows leave out such requirements to allow for more licensing opportunities in less diverse areas.

If a theatre was having trouble finding a diverse pool of actors for these roles, there are many ways to perform proper outreach to ensure these roles are cast respectfully.

But in my opinion, casting ‘RENT’ with an all-white cast undermines the authenticity, representation, and social impact of the musical. To honor the spirit of the work of Jonathan Larson and respect the experiences of marginalized communities, it is crucial to cast actors who reflect the diversity of the characters and the setting, allowing the production to resonate more deeply with audiences and contribute positively to discussions about inclusivity and representation.