Diluted ‘Rent’ given a reprise

The eviction notice for a production of “Rent” at Corona del Mar High School has been rescinded.

School principal Fal Asrani got a chance to review the “high school version” of the play and has signed off on it, according to district officials.

The play’s acceptance comes in the wake of controversy that made national news. Drama teacher Ron Martin has said he was told he could not stage the musical because of “objectionable content,” but school officials called it a timing issue. Martin could not get the script quickly enough for Asrani to review it in time to mount the show for the spring musical, district officials said.

Martin previously said he would stage another play, but changed his mind and was able to get a copy of the less-salacious version of the play aimed for high school students. Martin gave a copy of the script to Asrani on Monday and after she read it by Wednesday she approved it, Newport-Mesa Unified School District spokeswoman Laura Boss said.

Asrani established a policy of reviewing each student play after there were complaints about a production of “No Reservations,” Boss said.

“I never had a problem with the play selected by Mr. Martin,” Asrani said in a prepared statement released by the district. “The selection of our drama productions is his call. I just requested the opportunity to review the script before it was final. Administration received parent concerns from a previous play and I wanted to be able to ensure my commitment to the concerned parents as well as show my support of the student production without any reservation.”

Martin, who maintains that it was not his choice to cancel the show, applauded the decision to approve the script and said he thought the play could have a good effect on campus.

“‘Rent’ being allowed to be performed is the right thing,” Martin said. “My cast and I are going to have the opportunity to start some great dialogue on our campus concerning the rights of all in the human race.”

Supt. Jeffrey Hubbard also released a statement detailing what Corona del Mar High does to combat bigotry on campus, including: programs by the school’s Human Relations Council, recognitions by the Orange County Human Relations Council and Anti-Defamation League, a school “Appreciating Diversity Day” and other efforts. Martin had said he wanted to stage “Rent” because he was concerned about homophobia on campus.

“I have been extraordinarily disappointed that some media outlets chose to react to rumor as opposed to fact regarding both the production of the play ‘Rent’ and the reputation of Corona del Mar High School,” Hubbard said in his statement.

Reporter MICHAEL ALEXANDER may be reached at (714) 966-4618 or at michael. alexander@latimes.com. City Editor PAUL ANDERSON may be reached at (714) 966-4633 or at paul.anderson@latimes.com.