The amazing people I have met in line and at the theatre have quickly become true friends and I feel extremely lucky that my life has been blessed by them. Jonathan Larson gave us, the world, an incredible gift when he created the show. I am forever grateful to him for his determination, love and talent, and for sharing it with us. I hope that wherever he is he can see how much he achieved. As Cristina recently said to me, having performed Seasons of Love to an Italian audience, "It's magic Sel, all the people love that song, they want to know more... this is because Jonathan Larson wrote it with his heart... and that makes me believe in RENT with even more strength... see how it changed my life in a year".

If one person can reach out and touch so many then we can all make a difference, however big or small. I hope my personal input improves this world, and I know that my belief in the message RENT expresses will always remain close to my heart, whether the show is playing or not. Thank you Jonathan. You truly have made a difference. You succeeded.

RENT has been a part of my life now for what will be very nearly 18 months by the time it closes, and it has changed things for me quite substantially. It sounds melodramatic but it has, in so many ways, reached out to me at a time when I needed it the most and touched me in ways I could never express precisely. The first day I experienced the love, the talent and the sheer beauty and honesty of the show, it immediately made an impact. Part of me felt like I was less isolated and distant. It made me appreciate the positive and make a conscientious effort to overcome pain and fear. This black curtain I had been carrying around in my head began to rise and let the light in again. Over the past year I have been given an energy for life and the capacity to feel that I would never have dared to dream of. This coming from a person who had given up but was too cowardly to even do that right. RENT has given me so much goodness in my life and I try to pass that on. As Krysten (ex-Toronto, London & Broadway Mimi) would say,
"It's all about spreading the love".