The story of Rent was something I wasn’t too fond of, with its strong overtones in homosexuality and drug abuse. The vitality and sheer energy of the cast as well as the great score certainly won me over, and overall the cast is very strong vocally.
Kevin Spencer who plays as Roger Davis- a rock musician, an ex-junkie and HIV+, gave an outstanding performance vocally as well as theatrically. His character is one who doesn’t get out much; he meets, and is immediately attracted to, his downstairs neighbor, Mimi (Krystal L. Washington). She knocks on his door because she needs a match to light a candle. Recognizing that she is a junkie, he at first resists her advances, although she is eventually more persuasive, at least from time to time. It subsequently develops that she is a dancer in an S&M bar, and HIV+ as well.
Mimi’s Character who is played by Krystal L.Washington is both brash and fragile as the heroin-dependent exotic dancer. She added credibility to the character with a strong voice, terrific dancing, and steaming sexiness that made a more complete image.
The cast of Rent brought professionalism to the table and for most of the cast it was there first play production. I believe the key to Rents success was the remarkable intensity and enthusiasm with which the young cast performed. There was this instance in the play where they had a dance number; the vibrant cast members were jumping around flying from one area of the stage to the next in a ballet like manner. The actors undoubtedly motivated the crowd to sing along while hitting their cues and projecting with the utmost clarity.
Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon and the New York Theatre Workshop produced the play. Rent features musical direction by Tim Weil, Tony Award-winning choreography by Marlies Yearby, set design by Paul Clay, costume design by Angela Wendt and lighting design by Blake Burba. Tony award winning should mean something to those of use who don’t frequent plays on a regular basis. The backdrop of the set looked like a drab, dark, and dungy apartment building. The costumes are on par with east village attire. The lighting highlighted Roger’s and Marks solos as well as made you feel that the speaker was talking to you. The lighting also played a part in the scene shifts. The stage would black out and a new character appeared on stage, appearing to be on the roof or on the street of avenue b in lower east village.
Michael Grief did an excellent job in directing the play. Although I never had the opportunity to see the original cast on Broadway, I believe in my heart the mostly predominant Canadian cast did justice to Larsons masterpiece. On the left side of the stage was the band. Now from having some background in music I must say that the band was amazing. Larsons Sondheim influenced score was performed to the T by the on stage rock band. . They had myself trying to sing along with the catchy tunes of Rent. On the right side of the stage was a makeshift steel Christmas tree with tiny candles all about. It wasn’t the ordinary Douglas fir with ornaments; it was a conglomerate of steel and iron towering above the cast. The props vibrant in color amidst a dreary backdrop added life to an already eventful stage.
The appeal that Rent has had is not surprising. The show hits many young people where they live. It would have been interesting to see what the show would be like had Jonathan Larson (Rent's creator) not died of an aortic aneurysm the night before the show's first Broadway preview. As for the audience at the Wilshire Theater, I can attest that most if not all walked out entertained and elated on the performance the cast gave.
Rent has made theatrical history, and it deserves most of the praise it has gotten, it is quite worth seeing this groundbreaking musical. You will learn something about yourself, if not you’ll have a fun time enjoying some really good performances. I walked out of the theater with a positive attitude towards the performing arts and will continue to enjoy the arts from here on out.
