Review: ‘RENT’ lives up to hype

The GCSU Theatre Department is the first in the state to perform the musical “RENT,” and if Jonathan Larson had lived to see it happen, I have no doubt the late composer would have been at a loss for words. From its colorful opening all the way to an emotional finale, “RENT” literally throws itself into the audience’s lap with a strong sense of admiration.

The story takes place in East Village, N.Y., where a bunch of young artists are struggling to succeed in their respective fields. Among them are a film director (Jordan Hale) and a guitarist (Marc Osborn) who can’t afford to pay rent to their nagging landlord (Scott Howard) as they battle illness and poverty among other social obstacles.

About 99 percent of the story is told through music, and it’s fair to assume that most viewers will come into the show already aware of how the plot unravels; so for that matter, I’m going to let the lyrics speak for themselves. The true power of this particular ensemble rests on a number of duets and individual efforts.

The first act plays out on a very cheerful note as we follow the entire cast through one Christmas Eve night. The spirit of the season would certainly explain the necessity of having a tall ladder draped in colored lights, but until you see Nic Marrone appear as a cross-dressing Santa Claus to woe the emotions of a gay philosopher (Bren Thomas), you haven’t even begun to feel the authenticity of who these characters are. I’m not even going to hint at the details of a special lap-dance that is bound to send the auditorium into an eruption of laughter.

Another notable duo that shines in the opening act is that of Roger (Marc Osborn) and Mimi (Hannah Schumacher). From the moment they first meet, Mimi is willing to do (or show) whatever it takes to “connect” with the depressed guitarist, and even when it requires her to grind her body on several pieces of the set, Schumacher plays every aspect perfectly like a predator of seduction. What a performance.

Before the lights dim on the happier side of the story, we are introduced to Maureen (Caleigh Allen); a bisexual character who remains only mentioned for much of the first hour. I have seen Allen in several different productions over the last few years, and while they were all great, I can honestly say that this is by far her shining moment as she stands tall under a swarm of pink and blue lights describing a dream. The music comes in small doses throughout the monologue, but the physical narration backed by Allen’s sharp tone just completely sets the stage on fire. By the time it’s over, you almost want to applaud the piece as she garners a roar of “moos” from the crowd. It is at this point that “RENT” achieves one of the golden rules of stage production: making the audience a part of the show.

The second act again opens strong with everyone on stage, but unlike the earlier segment that covered only one night, this one chronicles an entire year. A lot can happen over the course of one year, but the bigger story is the effect it leaves on the characters as things shift to a more serious mood.

While the plot may start to feel a little convoluted in the latter portion, it is still the performances that make the effort memorable. In reprising an earlier segment called “I’ll Cover You,” watch closely as Bren Thomas leads the entire cast into the rest of the piece. This actor has always had a gift for selling his roles by the mere expression on his face, and in just a matter of two minutes, one can see it in his eyes as he sinks deep into a more sensitive level.

By the time it reaches the finale, “RENT” showcases all of its glory by once again uniting the entire cast for one last song. Behind them is a projected culmination of what they have all worked hard for, and as we sing and clap along with the crew, we know that like every other production done in the GCSU department, this is one effort that truly came from the heart. In her program address, director Amy Pinney refers to the play as “a love letter.” Whether it be to victims of AIDS, or any community of outcasts who can relate to its themes, this is one letter that demands to be read.

And since we’re on the subject of love letters, I guess now’s as good a time as any to say that this here is my love letter to the cast and crew of “RENT,” and all the wonderful thespians in the theater department who will be truly missed next year. Well done guys!

Posted by Chris Moskaly on Feb 26 2010. Filed under Reviews. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry