By Claire DeMarco
Taking inspiration from the original “La Bohéme” opera by Giacomo Puccini about impoverished artists in 1890’s Paris, “RENT” brings us into the 1990’s in New York. The New York artists are also impoverished.
The underlying threat in 1890’s Paris more than poverty was tuberculosis. In New York in the 1990’s the cloud of HIV/AIDS hangs over our artists, either directly or indirectly.
Film maker Mark Cohen (Jeremy Poynton), a film maker is recording the lives of his friends and will do so for an entire year. He is one of the few members of the group who doesn’t have HIV/AIDS. He is an observer of life and not much of a participant. He sees life through the lens of his camera.
Roger Davis (Travis Myers-Arrigoni), a musician, is a depressed soul recovering from the suicide of his girlfriend.
Exotic dancer Mimi Marquez (Chelsea Davis) struggles with HIV/AIDS and drugs.
Angel Dumott-Schunard (Chris Russell) is gay and open about it, dressing most of the time as a drag Santa. He is the most loved member of the group.
Maureen Johnson (Richelle Szypulski) is the group’s more flamboyant and outrageous member.
Lawyer Joanne Jefferson (Randi Walker) is currently Johnson’s partner.
Tom Collins (Reed Verdesoto) dreams of life beyond New York, envisioning operating a restaurant in Santa Fe.
Former member of the group, Benjamin Coffin III (Allante Walker) married a wealthy woman whose family owns the building the group now occupies. He is pushing them to pay rent which is long overdue.
With all the handicaps and problems each member faces independently, they coalesce in their determination to fight Coffin and his attempt to collect rent (past due and current).
In spite of all their disparities, this group with all their problems and flaws love each other.
Considered a rock opera, “RENT” is almost completely performed through song.
In talented Davis we see the slow transition from a young girl full of life who reaches the depths of despair. Her movements and facial expressions change as her physical condition deteriorates. What a great rendition of “Out Tonight!”
Russell is dynamic as the effervescent Angel. He has great gymnastic moves and a wonderful singing voice. “You Okay, Honey” is a lovely duet with Verdesoto.
Myers-Arrigoni portrays musician Roger as sad and morose as he sings “One Song Glory.” He dreams of creating a hit song.
Poynton is observant and introspective as the film maker. He expresses his thoughts and concerns over the past year in “Halloween.”
More free-spirited than her cohorts, Szypulski speaks her mind and acts on her physical needs with complete abandon. Szypulski pulls off “Over the Moon,” a bizarre song that is both serious and at times funny.
Verdesoto’s support for Angel is endearing. His rendition of “I’ll Cover You” is beautifully done.
Randi Walker cleverly delivers “We’re Okay”, working with two phones while handling two conversations, one with her office, the other with Maureen.
Allante Walker plays the antagonist who now owns the building he once shared as a member of the group. There are strings attached with his rent demands.
The entire cast is superb and well-balanced!
Jeff Way’s set design is simplistic but effective. A white sheet hung at the beginning of Act I and Act II was used as a screen that showed original TV clips of the concern and general lack of knowledge everyone had about HIV/AIDS during the 1990’s.
“RENT,” a Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner, was written by Jonathan Larson.
Excellent direction by Nik Nemec.
Note from Stage 62: “RENT” contains mature themes and language that may be unsuitable for children. We encourage parental discretion.
-CED
“RENT” is a production of Stage 62. Performances run from July 18th – July 28th at the Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, Carnegie, PA.
Andrew Carnegie Free Library & Music Hall, 300 Beechwood Avenue, Carnegie, PA 15106
