BWW Interviews: 'No Day But Today!' Shepherd University Scene Stealers to Perform RENT

"No day but today", RENT, the popular 1996 musical, is opening this weekend in a unique location and will be produced and performed by Shepherd University students.

RENT is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. The show is a modernized version of the opera La Boheme and tells the story of a group of artists and musicians over the course of a year, struggling to survive and create their art in New York City in the early 90's while dealing with the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

"It's about being young and figuring out what you want out of life. It's about living with illness, or friends who are sick. For artists, it's about figuring out the shape your art is going to take, and how it's possible to pursue that while still being able to pay the rent. Mostly, it's about living in the moment and loving the people around you as best as you can" said director Hillary Crum.

"The show is about many different people and their own individual struggles. RENT is about community. It's about a group of individuals, living their lives, and doing what it takes to get by (whether that be with dance, music, film-making, law, teaching, etc.). RENT is about not taking any moment for granted and living every day as if it was the most important day of your life. The connections we make in life are so valuable that none should be overlooked, and we are never alone" said Joe Waeyaert, who plays Mark.

RENT is produced by the Shepherd University Scene Stealers, the student-run musical theater performance group. The show is entirely organized, rehearsed and run by students, which means students are responsible for scheduling and running rehearsals, obtaining props and costumes, confirming locations, advertising the show and many other duties. The Scene Stealers organization was founded in 2011 and this is the sixth full-length musical production the group has produced, and the largest production to date.

"This show is a lot bigger than any previous show Scene Stealers has attempted. RENT has a large cast of 17 people, which means a lot of schedules to keep track of. RENT is also much more of an ensemble piece. There are leads but, as we continuously stress in rehearsal, the ensemble is incredibly important to the story. In terms of rehearsing, that means we require a lot more dedication from the ensemble than what is typical for a musical." said Crum.

The community aspect of the production and the organization in general is especially important to this musical's theme and cast members.

"The cast is so close to each other! RENT is about community, and our cast really embraces that" said Shannen Banzhoff, who plays Mimi and is the Scene Stealers treasurer .

"The most interesting aspect [of rehearsals] is how close the cast has gotten in such a short amount of time" said ensemble member Candace Kenney.

"Scene Stealers is a community. There is a parallel because RENT revolves around a community of struggling artists, which is essentially what our group consists of. We are struggling bohemians, making our mark on the world. This show is also teaching us important life lessons, such as not taking others for granted, understanding a connection and living life to the fullest" said Paul Cabell, Scene Stealers President and music director.

A unique aspect of the musical RENT is that most of the show is sung-through, with little amounts of dialogue.

"RENT is essentially a rock-opera. So vocally, it's super demanding. It's a challenge for a lot of singers to get a correct sound stylistically without it being detrimental to the voice. Our music director, Paul Cabell, is doing a great job. He is coaching the entire cast on the correct style of the show while retaining a good technique while singing and it's super helpful." said Banzhoff

"Jonathan Larson, the composer, was striving to create a sound that blended the musicals he loved with the classic rock he grew up with. Mixing the styles of Stephen Sondheim with styles like the Who and Billy Joel results in a show like RENT. The music has a driving rock concert feel, while still managing to be background for the story" said Crum.

Another unique aspect of this production of RENT is the non-traditional performance space. RENT will be performed at the Shepherdstown Train Station. Though the station is used as a venue for live bands and entertainment, this is the first time an entire musical theater production will be performed in the space.

Meanwhile, the cast is eagerly rehearsing in preparation for opening night and cannot wait to share the message of the show with an audience.

"The show teaches you about celebrating life, love, and community. The cast is absolutely brilliant. They will give you chills, make you laugh, cry, and just love this production" said Cabell.

"RENT deals with a lot of difficult situations and emotions, and often times these things are uncomfortable to discuss or show to others. They are also things that human beings would rather avoid because they are painful, such as death, sickness, financial struggles, and loss in general. It's so real, and everyone can connect with this piece in some way, no matter how remote, as long as one keeps an open mind" said Waeyaert

RENT features Joe Waeyaert as Mark, Matt Rothenberg as Roger, Shannen Banzhoff as Mimi, Brian Nabors as Tom Collins, CorRay LaFleur as Angel, Madi Barnes as Maureen, Megan West as Joanne, Jeremy Spangler as Benny and Candace Kenney, Kaz White, Vanessa Furby, Henry DeBuchannane, Ryan Perry, Sierra Speight, Sydney Clark, Gabrielle M. Tokach and Yanira Diaz as various ensemble members. RENT is directed by Hillary Crum, musically directed by Paul Cabell and choreographed by Shannen Banzhoff.

RENT will run Nov. 22 and 23 at 8 pm and Nov. 24 at 3 pm at the Shepherdstown Train Station at 100 Audrey Egle Drive, Shepherdstown, WV. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for non-Shepherd students and $7 for Shepherd students with a valid Rambler I.D. Tickets can be purchased at the door or reserved in advance. To reserve tickets, please visit http://scenestealers.weebly.com/.

Photo Credit: Shepherd University Scene Stealers and TMH Photography

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