What is the context of Larson's songs in this show and why might they be seen as "eclectic"?
While studying at Adelphi University, Larson quickly became involved with the Cabaret, a student-produced, Saturday Night Live-esque showcase. He frequently wrote for the Cabarets, which is where he gained confidence as a composer and lyricist. These opportunities also tested his ability to write quickly. The turnaround time for these shows were around 2 weeks, meaning he got very skilled at writing a plethora of song options swiftly. He was notorious for switching out songs hours before curtain.
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This practice continued with his professional work. During the creation of RENT, he wrote upwards of 100 songs, switching out options until he reached a product he was satisfied with!
In the 1990s, what button would've been pressed by an individual to switch calls?
Depending on the model of the phone, there was most likely a "flash" button located somewhere either on the handset or the phone base. This allowed users to switch between calls.
Poster of a 2018 production of The Steak Tartare Caper or Behind Every Moan is a Woman, a cabaret written by Larson.
How quickly did Michale climb the corporate ladder?
This question is one of depth. On a surface level, we learn that Michael is in market research. This was one of the many job types that upheld the corporate structure. Based on his attitude towards work as well as his general drive to keep moving, we can estimate that he climbed to this position in about 4-5 years, starting entry level and building up to an executive
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On another level, Michael's rise through the ranks can also be assessed based on his relationship with his sexuality. In the play, we learn Michael is gay. In the 1980s and 1990s, members of the LGBTQ+ community faced prejudice and negative bias. In order to be seen as neutral, some LGBTQ+ people carved out their own paths. The new goal became to be seen as normal, or a "good gay". "Good gays" contributed to the economy, owned property, led respectable careers, and were quiet about their personal lives. Because of this, turning to the corporate world for stability was common.
How much would Michael's BMW have costed in 1990?
Depending on the year Michael purchased his car, it would've costed him somewhere around $70,000. Based on the features of the car mentioned in the script such as the heated seats and 12 fuel cylinders, we can say the model was most likely the BMW 7 Series (E32).
How much would it have cost to get an apartment in Victory Towers in 1990?
Although Victory Towers is a fictional apartment complex, rent on Madison Avenue ranged from $175 to $325 a square foot from 61st to 72nd Street, with 51st to 59th Street commanding higher prices from $250 to $500 a square foot.
How much would a Gucci belt cost in 1990?
The signature Gucci belt was seen as the first purchase when stepping into the luxury world. In 1990, one belt would've cost upward of $350.