REVIEW: Regional Premiere of RENT Rocks Long Beach (ends 12/20)

LONG BEACH, CA-Just a little over two months after RENT's current Broadway National Tour made a tour stop in nearby Costa Mesa (read that review HERE), Musical Theater West debuts the first L.A.-area professional regional production of RENT at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts. Their production of the multiple Tony® Award-winning musical, which continues for two weeks until December 20, stars former Queer Eye for the Straight Guy lifestyle guru Jai Rodriguez in the role of Angel, a role he also stepped into sometime during the middle half of the groundbreaking, Pulitzer prize-winning show's 12 year run on Broadway. The material (based loosely on Puccini's La Bohème) is extremely familiar to many of the show's rabid fans. And, as evidenced by the opening night's capacity audience, "RENT-heads" (as fanatics of the show are lovingly called) come in droves to see and hear this popular musical (even in the pouring rain-a rarity here in Southern California).

Since this is the first professional regional theater in the area to tackle a full-scale mounting of Jonathan Larson's famed musical, one can't help but want to root for its success. Here's what hasn't changed: the story of New York City bohemian artists struggling with poverty, love and inspiration in the age of AIDS and the powerful rock score that boasts one of the most significant classic songs in theater ("Seasons of Love"). The changes to the Musical Theater West's version are subtle and unobtrusive. Minus a few opening night hiccups, it is certainly comparable to the national tour production that recently played at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, which is currently traveling the country with original cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp.

Right from the start, there is a palpable freshness and energy in the hands of this eager cast, under the direction of Nick DeGruccio. Thanks to a larger stage, the set is sprawling with stuff, giving it a newer take on the neighborhood they are supposedly squatting. As leads Mark and Roger, Beau Hirshfield and P.J. Griffith, respectively, give admirable performances of their iconic characters. Missed lyrics aside, the two lead actors are talented singers. It's an interesting switcheroo here: most actors that play Mark portray him more as manic and devilishly snarky, while most actors that play Roger tend to be more closed-in, contemplative and introverted. In this version, Griffith plays Roger like an overly-emotional, über-sensitive torn man, crossing downstage quite often to deliver his pain and anguish for all to see. This Roger certainly wears his emotions on his sleeve. Hirshfield's Mark is less of a stage explorer than his roommate Roger is in this version, and his snarky lines are delivered more like hushed asides.

Perhaps because of opening night jitters, the company seemed a bit, in the beginning, timid and hesitant. Even Rodriguez's first appearance in full fabulousness as Angel in "Today 4 U" didn't seem as full-out, knock-down as it could have been-though he proves to be quite an impressive dancer, even in heels! His shared duet with lover Collins (Mel Robert) is cute, but didn't quite have the right amount of chemistry to really highlight the romance. Unfortunately it is not until the tragic second act when we really see Angel's importance in Collin's life. As Benny the boys' former roommate and current landlord, Andrew Johnson is terrifically snide and sings with a nice, soulful voice.

Sabrina Sloan, as Mimi, injects her role with equal doses of vulnerability and sexiness, with an amazing vocal prowess to go with them. Her singing in "Without You" and "Out Tonight" is incredible. The biggest scene-stealer is Callie Carson, who plays Maureen. Carson's solo work in Maureen's performance piece "Over the Moon" is perhaps one of the better versions this reviewer has seen in the various productions over the years. Fearless and uninhibited, she provided the necessary jolt the show needed as it transitioned over to the rousing first act closer "La Vie Bohème." With this latter number, the cast finally felt like they were in the zone. Letting go of their initial nervousness, the cast sang with deliberate purpose and joy, enhanced further by the choreography of Alisan Porter. When performing together as a cohesive ensemble (as they do in "Seasons of Love," "Will I?" and the heart-wrenching "I'll Cover You Reprise") the cast brims with emotional strength and wonderful harmonies.

RENT itself, despite this fresh take, still has flaws, especially in the second act-a small, blight in an otherwise challenging crowd-pleaser. This production, however, manages to eschew those flaws by distracting the audience with a cast of valiant players so set in bringing this musical to an appreciated regional audience, that you have to admire their tenacity, obvious talents, and well-placed efforts. There are far more things to admire in the production than toppled props, missed lyrics and the occasional stray note. It's the excitement that comes with live theater, especially in a piece like RENT where the mood of the audience can dictate the performances on stage. And with this much love, there is no denying the power and emotion this musical elicits even today. Musical Theater West's production of RENT certainly deserves an A for effort, but officially, it gets a....

Grade: B

Photos by Alysa Brennan: Top - Jai Rodriguez as Angel. Middle - The Musical Theater West cast of RENT.

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RENT is being offered as a bonus special engagement in Musical Theater West's 2009-2010 Season. MTW is the first regional theatre to produce this show in the Los Angeles area.
Remaining RENT performance dates and times are as follows: Sunday, December 13 – 2:00 PM; Sunday, December 13 – 7:00 PM; Thursday, December 17 – 8:00 PM; Friday, December 18 – 8:00 PM; Saturday, December 19 – 2:00 PM; Saturday, December 19 – 8:00 PM; Sunday, December 20 – 2:00 PM.

All performances will be shown at the Richard and Karen Carpenter Center located at 6200 Atherton Street in Long Beach (on the campus of Cal. State Long Beach). Ticket prices are $30 (rows U & V), $60 (rows A-T), and $80 (Premium Seating in rows A-M center). However, this is a limited offer; ticket prices go up on July 1st and will range from $30-$80. All tickets are available by calling the Box Office at (562) 856-1999 x4, in person at 4350 E. 7th Street, Long Beach (corner of Ximeno Avenue), or online at www.musical.org.

Visit www.musical.org for more information and showtimes.

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