'Rent' too uncomfortable for Monrovia school officials

When Monrovia High school's drama teacher wanted the students to produce "Rent," the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical with a cult following that deals with AIDS and homosexuality, the principal asked to see the script. The superintendent of the district got involved, and teacher Marc Segal was told "no." From Monrovia Patch:

"There's no swearing in it; one song was taken out that was questionable, so I can't imagine what the problem is," Segal said.

[Supt. Linda] Wagner said in a brief interview with Patch Tuesday that she had concerns about the subject matter that Rent deals with. She said that some students and parents wouldn't be comfortable performing in the play and cited a stripping scene and a prostitute character as her main concerns.

"We need to consider all of our constituents," Wagner said. "If some parents/students don't feel comfortable with being in a play, where do we draw the line?...I want every child and every parent to find [a play] to be acceptable." 

No one can ever be uncomfortable with any artistic material? Oh boy. Meanwhile, nearby South El Monte is due to produce the musical in February — one of 23 U.S. schools doing "Rent."

Also in the San Gabriel Valley: Developer Rick Caruso said Monday he's in the process of finalizing a new deal with Santa Anita Park's owners to build an outdoor mall at the racetrack's south parking lot. SGV Tribune