Director Sheilah Mullen acknowledged that her latest musical features a number of sensitive topics.

Still, she said, it was important to bring such themes to the stage in Henry County.

“This is reality,” she said. “We can’t be afraid.”

The Henry Players will present Rent June 16-19 and June 23-26 at the Hood Street Arts Center. Times are 7:30 p.m., June 16-18 and June 23-25, and 2:30 p.m., June 19 and June 26.

Admission for the R-rated production is available for mature audiences only. Tickets are $18 for adults, and $15 for seniors ages 50 and older.

First-time Director Mullen began performing with the Players 12 years ago. She said she has worked for eight years to bring Rent to the stage locally.

“I feel really excited and honored to do the show,” said Mullen. “It was a play that I admired, with extraordinary characters and fascinating relationships.”

“Rent,” is a rock musical set in the mid-1980s in New York City, with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. The story, said Mullen, depicts “impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in the lower Manhattan East Village, in the shadow of HIV and AIDS.”

“It’s a rock ‘n’ roll opera based on La Boheme,” she said.

Characters in the play include roommates Mark and Roger – played by John Thacker and Josh Findley, respectively. During the story, the two friends have a hard time maintaining their living arrangements, said Mullen.

“They can’t pay their rent,” she said. “Their former roommate, Benny, reneged on a rent agreement that they could live there for free.”

Much of the play focuses on subjects including drug use, gender identity and homelessness, as well as other prevalent themes in today’s world. Such subjects, said Mullen, are difficult to talk about but must be addressed nonetheless.

“People are afraid to face the reality of what life really is,” said Mullen. “They feel like if you’re not seeing it or hearing it, the issue doesn’t exist.”

She said audiences will be able to empathize with certain characters in the production. One popular character in the play is Angel, a crossdressing street drummer who is HIV-positive.

Mullen said Angel, played by Sergio Javier – helps to convey a theme that is still “sadly relevant today.”

“It’s such a powerful message,” she said. “I didn’t want to just put a play out there. I wanted to send a message, too. We all have felt loss at one point, hoping in those moments that there can be light. People from different walks of life are struggling with life, love, addiction and their sexual identity. I think a lot of people can relate to these characters and their stories.”

To illustrate her point, Mullen pointed to a line from a song in Rent, titled “No Day But Today.” The song, she said, encourages listeners to “measure your life in love.”

Mullen said she values the diversity of the Rent cast and their “enormous talent.” The performers, she said, fit their characters “to a T.”

“Almost everyone in this production has said this has been their dream production, and their dream role and show to be in,” said Mullen. “Their voices and their characters are so powerful. You get lost in it. They’re able to make you feel their pain and their heartache.”

Mullen said the production has been helpful for her performers, following two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Cast members have said this production came along at the right time,” said Mullen. “Doing this show is like therapy for them. It’s been good for everyone.”

Mullen also credited her Co-Director, Adriana Beckner, Music Director Nick Edelstein and Choreographer Tammie Roper for their work on the production.

“I want to thank the Henry Players for their trust and support in allowing me to put this show on the stage,” said Mullen. “I get emotional every night during rehearsal.”

Beckner, a former president of the Henry Players, said Rent represents the fulfillment of a dream in her theater career. She relishes the opportunity to work on the play with Mullen.

“She has always been a huge volunteer for us and a great friend,” said Beckner.

Beckner echoed the director’s sentiments regarding the play and its message.

“This is a show that talks about the AIDS epidemic, but I realized that it’s more than that,” said Beckner. “It’s about life in general. No matter who you are, no matter your beliefs, you are worthy of love and acceptance.”

Tickets are available online or at the door of the Arts Center.

Discounts are available for seniors and groups.

For more information, visit www.henryplayers.com.