The show will go on according to students and parents about the controversial musical "Rent" in spite of AISD pulling $10,000 in funding it promised for the production.

"The specific quote, I believe, was that while Rent may be appropriate for some campus communities it is not appropriate for all communities," said Gregg Perry, a parent-sponsor referring to a memo from A.I.S.D. administrators sent in May.

The production features high school students from 6 area schools, all of whom had to audition in February for their spots.

For those unfamiliar, the musical "Rent" is set in the East Village of New York from the late eighties to early nineties.  It chronicles the struggles of young friends, many of whom are coping with mature subjects such as drugs, prostitution, homosexuality and A.I.D.S.

"I think a lot of people were basing their opinion off maybe the movie or maybe the full Broadway production, which does have some content that's beyond high school. But this script was edited very skillfully and I think it's totally appropriate for high school," said Rent director Nikki Staib.

Student performers must do without some of the fancier sets and props because of the school district's decision, but few of them seem deterred.

"It's kind of sad that the district thinks the issues in this play aren't real or aren’t suitable for other campuses other than McCallum, and I know the kids that don't go to McCallum that are in this show have loved it just as much as I have," said Rachel Barish, a McCallum High school junior who's performing in Rent.

"I was just surprised and shocked because Austin's logo is "Keep Austin Weird" but we couldn't do ‘Rent,’ just more shocked than mad," said Denise Manning, a performer who plays Jo Ann, a leading role in Rent.

The production of Rent is being held at McCallum High School from Thursday to Sunday.