When Warren Players presents Rent this week, it will do so in partnership with Warren County Pride.

“Rent shines a light on all the behavior society deems as sinful and shows us how to love regardless of our differences,” Director Jen Bailey said. “Many believe Rent is a show that glorifies sinful behaviors. I believe that Rent is a show about life.”

“So much of our lives revolve around trying to hide who we really are and what we have done,” Bailey said. “If we are being honest, none of us can throw the first stone. What would our world look like if instead of shame, we showed love? No one has ever been changed by shame but with love we could change the world.”

“Warren County Pride is excited to partner with the Warren Players and their production of Rent,” Fr. Matt Scott, speaking for Warren County Pride, said. “We are proud of our local theater group for bringing Rent to the Struthers Library Theatre and hope that our community will take the opportunity to experience this can’t miss production and its powerful message.”

“Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer-Prize winning musical was groundbreaking when it premiered, in part for prominently featuring LGBTQ characters and the challenges they faced in the mid 1990’s,” Scott said. “Rent continues to inspire and entertain audiences worldwide with its themes of life, love, and courageously living one’s full identity.”

“I was drawn to direct Rent because I am still working through the shame I have felt from society because of my past,” Bailey said. “We all have ‘sinful’ behaviors in our lives. Love saved me. Let’s love one another always.”

Information about Warren County Pride will be available at the performances – 7 p.m. Thursday, April 28, Friday, April 29, and Saturday, April 30, and 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1.

“Leaders of Warren County Pride will be in attendance at each performance offering more information about the Warren County Pride Rally on June 18 and selling Pride-related clothing,” Scott said. “As well, we hope to announce further partnerships and events that will add to our mission of advocating for the LGBTQ community in Warren and the region.”