If you've read my "
About Me" page or seen
that recent article in the Pioneer Press (or
my left forearm) you know that
RENT is not just my favorite musical, but one that will forever hold a special place in my heart. I can't explain why. Part of it is timing; I was in my early 20s when it premiered in 1996, just like the characters, living on my own for the first time and trying to figure out this thing called life (which I'm still trying to figure out). But more than that I just connected to the story, the emotions, and the message of the piece. A beautiful message of life, love, community, and light in the face of the darkness that surrounds us, one made even more poignant by the death of its creator
Jonathan Larson the night before
RENT's first performance off Broadway. I never tire of seeing it and never pass up an opportunity to see it - I've seen every tour that has come through the Twin Cities since the first national tour in 1997, I've seen it once on Broadway and once
off, and I've had the pleasure of seeing two
local productions. Now
RENT is on the road again with the 20th anniversary tour, a production filled with as much life, heart, and energy as ever. And it's
stopping in Minneapolis for just one week only. Whether it's your first, or 15th, or 100th time seeing it,
RENT is a joyful, moving, inspirational experience.
Jonathan Larson used the Puccini opera
La Boheme as a framework to tell a story about a community of young artists living in Manhattan's Lower East Side and dealing with issues of poverty, identity, creativity, relationships, and AIDS. It's a story he lived (several of the characters are named after friends of his who died from AIDS), which is perhaps why it feels so real and vital. At the center of
RENT are roommates Mark, a struggling filmmaker, and Roger, a rock musician still reeling from his recent HIV diagnosis. Into Roger's life comes Mimi, who convinces him that there is still life to live. Their friends include Mark's ex-girlfriend the performance artist Maureen, who is living with her new girlfriend, the lawyer Joanne; disgruntled college professor Collins; his new love the sweet transvestite Angel; and their old roommate Benny, who has sold out by marrying a rich woman and moving out and up. Over the course of a year these friends argue, love, break up, reunite, die, but most of all live. The characters in
RENT don't have easy lives, but they cling to that life and each other because it's the only thing they have. How can a piece about death, disease, poverty, and drug abuse be so uplifting and inspiring? Because it cuts through all of the pain to celebrate the joy of life; that's the genius of it.*
 |
| the cast of the 20th anniversary tour of RENT(photo by Carol Rosegg) |
This is basically the same show that played on Broadway for 12 years (currently the 11th
longest running musical on Broadway) and has toured the country for the last 20 years. Evan Ensign directs based on the original direction by Michael Greif (who also directed this year's smash hit
Dear Evan Hansen,
read more about how he "shaped musicals that define generations" here), with Marlies Yearby's original choreography. The original set and costume design are used, so the look is familiar to anyone who's seen the show. The set is refreshingly simple and motionless (no dropping chandeliers or rotating stages), with scaffolding and levels used in the same way, the only set pieces a couple of folding chairs and tables. And yes, Mark is still wearing that scarf, Roger is wearing the plaid pants and leather jacket, and Mimi in her familiar spandex. And I wouldn't have it any other way. If you're looking for a new and different interpretation of Jonathan Larson's Pulitzer Prize-winning work, you'll have to wait for a regional production (and I hope there will be many to come).
 |
Mark and Roger (Danny Harris Kornfeld and
Kaleb Wells, photo by Carol Rosegg) |
The cast of the 20th anniversary tour of
RENT is young, a bit inexperienced (many are making their tour or even professional debuts), and perhaps a bit green (this is a non-equity tour, for more information on the implications of that see the website
Ask If It's Equity), but they're brimming with raw talent and so much energy, passion, and heart. Touring the country with
RENT must be a dream job for a young musical theater artist, and it feels like every person on that stage knows how lucky they are and pours their heart and soul into their performance. Kaleb Wells has the angsty attitude and powerful rocker voice to play Roger (even if he is a bit too loud at times, but it's Roger so I didn't mind so much). Danny Harris Kornfeld is so charming as my favorite character Mark. Skyler Volpe beautifully portrays the tough exterior of Mimi hiding a vulnerable heart. Aaron Harrington brings a gorgeous deep voice and warm heart to the role of Collins, who gets me every time with the 2nd Act reprise of "I'll Cover You." David Merino is very sweet as Angel, the gentle soul of the group. Christian Thompson has all of the smarmy charm you want in a Benny. Jasmine Easler is a strong Joanne, and Katie Lamark is a delight as Maureen. All of them exactly fit the "type" for each character, yet bring their own individual personality to it.
For people who think that
RENT is dated or no longer relevant, consider this: there are currently
over a million people in the US living with (living with, living with, not dying from) HIV, with over 35,000 new cases every year. And the idea of living life to the fullest, being present in every moment, and loving the people around you, can never go out of style.*
RENT continues through June 11 only, with two performances on Saturday and Sunday.
Buy tickets here, or take your chances with the daily lottery, a
RENT tradition for 21 years (
more info here).
*Some text borrowed from what I wrote about
Lyric Arts' 2014 production.
