In "Rent"...?

Question

why do all the couples break up at the end of the song "Contact"?

Answer 1

Roger/Mimi and MoJo (Maureen/Joanne)'s breakups are supposed to be slightly comedic - they're breaking it off because the s*x was bad, and obviously because of all the other problems (Mimi's drug use, Maureen's infidelity, etc). However, Angel and Collins don't really break up. Collins says "It's over," echoing all the other couples, but he says it meaning that it's over - Angel has died. :( It breaks my heart when he says that.