RENT
by Jonathan Larson
Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
Orlando, FL
December 1, 2009
What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this masterpiece. If you are reading this review and haven’t seen RENT, drop whatever it is you’re doing and get in line!
Written and composed by Jonathan Larson, RENT is a rock musical update of Giacomo Puccini’s beloved opera La Boheme. Larson enjoyed a glimpse of success during the eighties and early nineties. Larson notable productions include Superbia, a rock retelling of George Orwell’s book 1984, and the small and intimate "rock monologue" which later became known as tick, tick…BOOM! In 1994, Jonathan Larson produced the first incarnation of RENT at the New York Theatre Workshop for a short three week run. After a lukewarm response, Larson reworked a couple songs and dialogue into the production we know and love today. In late 1995, again with the help of the New York Theatre Workshop, Larson was able to see his life’s work before his eyes. Sadly, on the night of the first preview, Jonathan Larson was found dead in is apartment due to a misdiagnosed aortic aneurysm. Instead of packing in the production, the cast crew decided to continue Larson's message of living for the moment. After a short run off-Broadway, the cast moved to the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway for what became a remarkable twelve year run. RENT closed in late 2008 one of the most respected and successful american musicals of all time.
In 2005, after nine years of success on Broadway, RENT was produced into a feature film. Personally, I find the film to be easily digestible for the non-theatre type, yet anyone who wants to feel the power and emotion of how it was intended to be seen should put on their Sunday best and catch a show.
For the 2009 North American tour of RENT, audiences are once again graced by original cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp reprising their roles of roommates Roger Davis and Mark Cohen. Roger, an HIV positive musician who hopes to find his one great song and Mark, a bleeding heart filmmaker, echo Jonathan Larson’s sentiment of continuing their art in the face of harsh conditions. From the opening monologue through the blistering finale, RENT will keep you on the edge of your seat as you fall in love with the characters and learn how they live their lives trying to create with issues looming over each of them.
My only complaint about this production would have to be the acoustics of the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. Time and time again during the show I found myself struggling to hear some of the lyrics and dialogue. Granted, when the company sang together it was great. Special kudos and adoration goes out to Lexi Lawson with her portrayal of Mimi and Justin Johnston as Angel.
With songs “Light My Candle”, “Another Day”, “Will I”, “La Vie Boheme”, and the timeless “Seasons of Love” the cast of RENT will take you on a ride of love, loss, self-fulfillment and friendship. I wholeheartedly recommend this production to theatre goers and the curious alike. With the absence of over the top dance numbers, jazz squares, and set changes, the power of Larson’s message will overshadow it’s lack of “traditional” Broadway theatrics. With the cast’s cascading vocal arrangement in the finale earnestly stating “no day but today”, I guarantee you'll be on your feet joining the ovation.
RENT is currently playing at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in Orlando, FL. Located next to the Amway Arena, a stone's throw from I-4, the Bob Carr PAC is a short drive for a great show. For ticket information please click here. Tickets start at $34.00.
Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre
Orlando, FL
December 1, 2009
What can I say that hasn’t already been said about this masterpiece. If you are reading this review and haven’t seen RENT, drop whatever it is you’re doing and get in line!
Written and composed by Jonathan Larson, RENT is a rock musical update of Giacomo Puccini’s beloved opera La Boheme. Larson enjoyed a glimpse of success during the eighties and early nineties. Larson notable productions include Superbia, a rock retelling of George Orwell’s book 1984, and the small and intimate "rock monologue" which later became known as tick, tick…BOOM! In 1994, Jonathan Larson produced the first incarnation of RENT at the New York Theatre Workshop for a short three week run. After a lukewarm response, Larson reworked a couple songs and dialogue into the production we know and love today. In late 1995, again with the help of the New York Theatre Workshop, Larson was able to see his life’s work before his eyes. Sadly, on the night of the first preview, Jonathan Larson was found dead in is apartment due to a misdiagnosed aortic aneurysm. Instead of packing in the production, the cast crew decided to continue Larson's message of living for the moment. After a short run off-Broadway, the cast moved to the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway for what became a remarkable twelve year run. RENT closed in late 2008 one of the most respected and successful american musicals of all time.
In 2005, after nine years of success on Broadway, RENT was produced into a feature film. Personally, I find the film to be easily digestible for the non-theatre type, yet anyone who wants to feel the power and emotion of how it was intended to be seen should put on their Sunday best and catch a show.
For the 2009 North American tour of RENT, audiences are once again graced by original cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp reprising their roles of roommates Roger Davis and Mark Cohen. Roger, an HIV positive musician who hopes to find his one great song and Mark, a bleeding heart filmmaker, echo Jonathan Larson’s sentiment of continuing their art in the face of harsh conditions. From the opening monologue through the blistering finale, RENT will keep you on the edge of your seat as you fall in love with the characters and learn how they live their lives trying to create with issues looming over each of them.
My only complaint about this production would have to be the acoustics of the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre. Time and time again during the show I found myself struggling to hear some of the lyrics and dialogue. Granted, when the company sang together it was great. Special kudos and adoration goes out to Lexi Lawson with her portrayal of Mimi and Justin Johnston as Angel.
With songs “Light My Candle”, “Another Day”, “Will I”, “La Vie Boheme”, and the timeless “Seasons of Love” the cast of RENT will take you on a ride of love, loss, self-fulfillment and friendship. I wholeheartedly recommend this production to theatre goers and the curious alike. With the absence of over the top dance numbers, jazz squares, and set changes, the power of Larson’s message will overshadow it’s lack of “traditional” Broadway theatrics. With the cast’s cascading vocal arrangement in the finale earnestly stating “no day but today”, I guarantee you'll be on your feet joining the ovation.
RENT is currently playing at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre in Orlando, FL. Located next to the Amway Arena, a stone's throw from I-4, the Bob Carr PAC is a short drive for a great show. For ticket information please click here. Tickets start at $34.00.
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