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Angel Dumott Schunard is a character in the Broadway rock musical RENT and in its film adaptation.

Character biography

Angel Dumott Schunard is a transgendered street drummer who is afflicted with AIDS. Jonathan Larson, the creator of the original musical, based Angel's character on one of his childhood friends.<ref>Momphard, David. This space is for 'Rent', Taipei Times, January 20, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2007.</ref>

In the play and movie, Angel meets Tom Collins, a professor, after he has been mugged. He helps Collins get to safety and the two subsequently enter into a relationship. Towards the end of the musical, Angel succumbs to his illness and dies.<ref name="oasis"> Angel in America, Oasis Magazine, August 1, 1997. Retrieved August 10, 2007.</ref>

Angel corresponds to Schaunard in the opera La Boheme, on which Rent is based. In La Boheme, Schaunard recounts how an Englishman offered him money to kill a parrot by playing music until it died of annoyance. Similarly, in the musical and film, a rich woman offers Angel money if he would drive her neighbor's Akita to suicide by loudly playing his drums.<ref>Portantiere, Michael. Bohemia, Bohemia, Theatermania, November 29, 2005. Retrieved August 10, 2007.</ref>

Angel's character, in the musical and film, has been praised by cast members and fans for providing a positive portrayal of people with AIDS. The South African lesbian publication Mambagirl praised the musical, and Angel's character in particular, as "groundbreaking".<ref>Igual, Roberto. Rent: A Musical Phenomenon, Mambagirl, June 19, 2007. Retrieved August 10, 2007.</ref> Anthony Rapp, who originated Mark, stated: "Even though Angel and Tom's relationship is colored by AIDS, its purity is not tainted by it. It's really important for that to be out there."<ref>Avery, Dan. 'Rent' control, PrideSource, November 24, 2005. Retrieved August 10, 2007.</ref> Wilson Cruz, who played Angel on Broadway, identified his character as the "heart of the play" and someone who, in his words, "represents anyone who's ever been lost to [AIDS]".<ref name="oasis"/> Some LGBT reviewers, however, criticized Angel and Collins' relationship for being portrayed as too "chaste".<ref>Butler, Tray. Bohemian travesty, Express Gay News, November 25, 2005. Retrieved August 10, 2007.</ref> Actor Wilson Jermaine Heredia defended this aspect of the relationship in an interview with the New York Blade, stressing that their love was more important.<ref name="blade"> Send me an Angel, New York Blade, November 18, 2005. Retrieved August 18, 2005.</ref>

Portrayals

Wilson Jermaine Heredia originated the role on Broadway and won a 1996 Tony Award.<ref>Tommasini, Anthony. ekWzxRORyiDqqxvQ27A Another Season of Love: The Original Cast Reassembles for a 'Rent' Anniversary, The New York Times, April 27, 2006. Retrieved August 10, 2007.</ref> Other notable actors to play the role include Jai Rodriguez (Queer Eye for the Straight Guy), Wilson Cruz (My So-Called Life), and Miguel Ayesa.<ref> Rent Movie - Characters: Angel, Broadway.com. Retrieved August 10, 2007.</ref>

In other media

Forbidden Broadway spoofed Angel's character in Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back, most specifically in the song "Too Gay for You, Too Het'ro for Me", a direct parody of Angel's song "Today for You, Tomorrow for Me".<ref> Forbidden Broadway Vol. 4: Forbidden Broadway Strikes Back! Tracklisting. Retrieved August 10, 2007.</ref>

Angel Schunard was referenced in the Off-Broadway musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.<ref name="blade"/>

Notes