Review: RENT Touring Production A Near Perfect Presentation

RENT is a rock musical with music, lyrics and book by Jonathan Larson. It won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize. The Broadway production closed on September 7, 2008 after a 12-year run of 5,123 performances, making it one of the longest running musicals of all time. The success of the show led to several national tours and numerous foreign productions and in 2005, it was adapted into a motion picture featuring most of the original cast members. This current touring production is the 20th anniversary production of Larson's re-imagining of Puccini's La Bohème. RENT follows an remarkable year in the lives of seven impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in New York City's East Village during the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City, while under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, RENT is a timeless celebration of friendship and creativity, and a reminder to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters-love.

On Christmas Eve, in Manhattan's East Village, two roommates-Mark (Sammy Ferber), a filmmaker, and Roger (Kaleb Wells), a rock musician-struggle to stay warm and produce their art. Mark's mother (Yael Reich) leaves him a voicemail wishing him a merry Christmas and trying to comfort him since his ex-girlfriend Maureen (Lyndie Moe) dumped him. Their friend Tom Collins (Aaron Harrington), a gay anarchist tutor, calls and plans to surprise them at their apartment, but is mugged before entering. At the same time, Mark and Roger's former roommate Benny (Marcus John), who has since become their harsh new landlord, has reneged on an earlier agreement and now demands last year's rent, before shutting down their electrical power. However, Mark and Roger rebel and pledge to not pay. Meanwhile, a cross-dressing street drummer named Angel (Aaron Alcaraz) finds Collins wounded in an alley and tends to him. The two are immediately attracted to each other, and learn that they are both HIV positive. Roger also has HIV which he contracted from his last girlfriend, who committed suicide, causing Roger to fall into a deep depression. Mark goes looking for Collins, while Roger wishes to write one last song to be remembered by before he dies. An exotic dancer, junkie, and neighbor, Mimi (Skyler Volpe), shows up to flirt with Roger, but he is clearly hesitant to start a new relationship. Meanwhile, Joanne (Jasmine Easler), a lawyer and Maureen's girlfriend, is setting up the sound for Maureen's protest performance.

The show contains very little dialogue and is mostly sung through. I had the privilege of seeing RENT with the original cast on Broadway and am happy to report that this current touring production is just as fine. Evan Ensign, directing based on the original staging by Michael Greif, keeps the production moving and achieves very thorough use of the playing space. The musical supervision by Tim Weil and Matthew DeMaria is excellent, achieving beautiful sound from this company with an emphasis on clarity that really pays off. The choreography by Marlies Yearby beautifully supports the action.

The tech is very good here, from Paul Clay's multipurpose scaffolding set to Jonathan Spencer's great mood enhancing lighting design. I also liked the wonderful period costumes of Angela Wendt.

This is a wonderful company that functions as a true ensemble. It's hard to pick out individuals from such a tightly functioning ensemble; however, I was very much impressed by the voices of Kaleb Wells, AaRon Harrington, Jasmine Easler, Skyler Volpe and Aaron Alcaraz. The entire cast is terrific and everyone has clearly defined characters that are presented believably.

This 20th Anniversary production of RENT is a glorious achievement and well worth your time. I give RENT my highest recommendation. Catch this one if you haven't seen this landmark game changing musical before!

RENT by Johnathan Larson
Running Time: Two Hours and Forty Minutes, including intermission
Please Note: RENT is a story which addresses adult themes and controversial issues. Parental guidance is suggested. It is not recommended for children under 13.

RENT, presented by Broadway in Austin at Bass Concert Hall (2350 Robert Dedman Drive) on the University of Texas campus.
Audiences need to be aware of some sweeping changes at Bass Concert Hall. Valet parking has increased to $28. You will also be submitted to wanding and asked to remove keys from your pockets. Purses are also subject to search and you will be asked to throw away anything edible.

Performances:
FRIDAY 10/13 8:00PM
SATURDAY 10/14 2:00PM
SATURDAY 10/14 8:00PM
SUNDAY 10/15 1:00PM
SUNDAY 10/15 7:00PM
Tickets: http://austin.broadway.com/shows/rentss/

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