Review: 'Rent' - The Broadway Tour Hits Toronto

 

When Toronto had its first look at Rent in December 1997, there was considerable confusion amongst theatre reviewers and some audience members. Could this be the same show that had set the Broadway theatre scene on its ear, wining four Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize? It was, but despite a strong cast something seemed to be missing.

 

That missing link is at least partially filled in by the Broadway tour of Rent playing at the Canon Theatre until January 24. This production features original cast members Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Gwen Stewart as well as many performers from the final New York company, in a faithful recreation of Michael Greif’s original staging.

 

So, what you see on stage at the Canon is as close a facsimile of the Broadway production as we will ever likely see.  The show’s many fans will be near delirium, of course, but others may still wonder what all the fuss is about. Mainly because Rent was never really finished, thanks to Jonathan Larson’s sudden and untimely death before the first preview. Had he lived he no doubt would have made considerable revisions, but in the wake of the tragedy no one wanted touch it.

 

The show is now so iconic that anyone making changes runs the risk of engendering the wrath of the Rentheads. Just ask Chris Columbus who directed the very fine film version in 2005. Though the film got generally good reviews, the fans spread the word that he had dared to tamper with success, and it ultimately failed at the box office.

 

Truth be told, Rent could stand with some tampering. The first act is long and meandering, some of the lyrics are overly verbose to the point where far too many pertinent words are lost, while others are underwritten and repetitive. But just when your patience is at the breaking point out comes a touchingly tuneful melody or a sweetly succinct lyric that reveals the true talent at work here, and it hurts to be reminded that we were robbed of any future shows by Larson. That gives an added layer of subtext to a show that deals so directly with death.

 

Time is running out for many of these characters, and their desperation fueled by poverty and oppression makes this modern retelling of Puccini’s La Boheme relevant for modern audiences. Unfortunately the show’s rabid fans (many of whom have never seen a musical before) have arrived at the decision that this is how all musicals should be. For years after the premiere they greeted every new show with the lament “It isn’t another Rent!”

 

Well, for good or ill, we already have a Rent and this tour, which will be ending in Sacramento next month, remains fresh and vibrant. Anthony Rapp still has the boyish charm to make the perpetual observer Mark Cohen a sensitive soul with an artist’s eye, and fantastic voice.

 

On opening night Pascal’s voice seemed a bit raspy, which he used to great dramatic effect. Roger is after all sick, broken-hearted and suffering withdrawal. All of this subtext fuels a performance that gains particular power in the show’s final scenes.

 

There’s more that just these two star performances to drive the show. Gwen Stewart still has the pipes to maker her solo in “Seasons of Love” generate goose bumps.  Justin Johnston was a crowd favourite as the life-affirming Angel, and Lexi Lawson gives previous Mimi's a run for their money with her dramatically effective acting in the later scenes. If her “Out Tonight” is a pale carbon copy, she does bring a plaintive quality to “Light My Candle” that helps set up the show’s subsequent action.

 

Sadly a few of the supporting roles are not as well done. Nicolette Hart can’t make the admittedly underwritten role of Maureen into anything more than a caricature, and Merle Dandridge – a recent cast addition in the role of Joanne – often cannot be heard above the band.

 

Tim Weil’s musical direction infuses the performance with plenty of energy, which goes a long way towards making a problematic show pleasurable.

 

 

Rent plays at the Canon Theatre Tuesday thru Saturday at 8 pm, with matinees Saturday at 2 and Sunday at 1. The final Toronto performance will be at 6pm Sunday January 24. $25 student rush tickets will be available to purchase in-person at the box office with valid student ID, two hours before each performance. As with all other productions of Rent there are 18 seats available in the front row for $20 each via lottery two hours before each performance. Anyone may enter the lottery, but you must be present to win and will be asked to show photo ID to make a purchase.

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