'RENT' at Seattle's Paramount Theatre

The Broadway Tour of Jonathan Larson's masterpiece, "Rent", starring original cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp has hit the Paramount and the show is still a powerhouse of all that's good about Musical Theater.  

First, let's get to the question that is on many people's minds.  "Are these two guys too old to be playing these parts?"  I mean, after all, we're talking about guys in their late 30's playing 20 something bohemians.  They originated these roles 13 years ago when they were 20 something bohemians.  So can they pull it off now?  I have to say, yes, but with some qualification.  The guys are showing a little bit of the age (make up can only do so much) and are a bit slower than the rest of the cast.  But, they both still look fabulous and age has been quite good for their strength as actors and singers.  Especially Pascal whose vocal chops have really matured and blossomed over the years.  And last night I got the impression that he was fighting a cold as well and yet he still sounded better than I have heard him sound before.  So if you are going to hear just what he recorded on the CD 13 years ago then you are in for a pleasant surprise, you're going to get so much more.  Plus, no matter how old these guys are now, it's something that you're willing to forgive in order to get to see the performers who originated these historic roles from the canon of musical theater.  Wouldn't you love to see Julie Andrews play Eliza again, or Chita Rivera as Anita, or Michael Crawford as the Phantom?  It's just a little glimpse back at iconic performances and well worth the extra willing suspension of disbelief. 

 And what of the rest of the cast?  This very ensemble show is, after all, billed as "Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp in Rent".  Has The Ensemble been gobbled up and over shadowed by these two members of the original cast?  Not in the slightest!  These performers are some of the best I have seen in a national tour in quite some time.  And a few of them I even recognized from the final Broadway performance that was filmed and released on DVD.  Both the actors who played Angel and Collins in the final Broadway production, Justin Johnson and Michael McElroy, are along for the tour and really shine in the roles.  They have wonderful chemistry together, really understand their characters, and have insanely good voices.  Especially stunning was McElroy who practically brought the entire audience to tears with the reprise of "I'll Cover You". 

Equally wonderful were performances by Jacques C. Smith as Benny, Lexi Lawson as Mimi, and notably, Haneefah Wood as Joanne and Nicolette Hart as Maureen.  Both Wood and Hart (as do all of the cast) bring their own spin on these characters rather than mimicking what has been done before and that spin is fresh and vibrant.  Never once did I feel I was seeing a rehash of the original show.  And in such a well known piece and featuring two of the original stars, that is not an easy feat.  Yet, this cast pulls it off with grace, humor, style and yes, TALENT!

So while the season of Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp may be more summer (or even fall) than spring, the Season of Love for this production is still very much alive.  Don't miss it!

"Rent" plays at the Paramount Theatre through June 21^st.  For tickets or information check out the Broadway Across America website at www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/Seattle or Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or order by phone at 206-292-ARTS (2787).