It\u2019s funny to think that Rent is now a twunk at 30 years old, but the songs and story still hit deep. Circle Theatre opened the iconic musical on April 23 and director Garret Storms\u2019 stewarded his cast into a striking production that felt as relevant today as ever. The cast and onstage band kept the grittiness of the original but bridged the gap making the struggle for mere dignity feel strikingly contemporary.<\/p>\n
In Circle\u2019s space, this Rent felt intimate without sacrificing the big energy of the songs or the high drama among the characters. Still, the cast utilizes the entire space from the stage to the aisles that gave the show a creative style while also adding a sense of urgency to the stakes at hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Based on the opera La boheme, the story centers on a group of 20-somethings creatives and progressives in New York. Lack of food, money, heat as well as living with AIDS and fighting gentrification\u00a0 are daily battles. The eight characters lean on each other heavily in such trying times before social media and cellphones.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What made this production successful was its dynamic of actors who embodied their characters fully. They conveyed an authentic camaraderie which lent to the emotional impact of the show.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The bromance between Roger and Mark was perfectly conveyed by Gideon Ethridge and Ryan Michael Friedman respectively. The actors seemed to have a read on each other that enhanced the characters\u2019 bond. Friedman brought a sensitive nature to Mark that contrasted Ethridge\u2019s swagger in Roger\u2019s imposter syndrome as a musician. Ethridge mixed Roger\u2019s confidence and doubt with a delicate touch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Raphael Agee and Landon Blanton played Tom and Angel who meet under almost-tragic circumstances. As their relationship blossomed, Agee and Blanton tapped into a charming wavelength of chemistry. Agee\u2019s performance was steadfast as Tom which established the character as the most stable of the bunch. Blanton was the colorful opposite as the drag artist Angel. Blanton tapped into a heartfelt strength that centered Angel as the heart of the show.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Karrington Sneed as Joanne and Lauren Teders as Maureen as a couple were another dynamic of contrasts. Joanne\u2019s Type A to Maureen\u2019s free spirit were oil and water and the actors succeeded in navigating both the differences and compatibility of the two.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Maria Shorunke was a revelation as Mimi. She delivered a mighty performance that was filled with heart and sensuality with a tender touch. As the proper professional of the bunch with an actual job, Benjamin was played with an appealing combo of snobbery and sympathy by Vincent Witherspoon.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The show moved at a brisk pace through Storms\u2019 direction but also Vicky Nooe\u2019s music direction. Her onstage band of four were as much a part of the action through their music or the occasional stand-in as a peripheral character or body. Nooe\u2019s work through the music and actors\u2019 performances provided the show\u2019s punch.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Amber Marie Flores\u2019 choreography was a fascinating work in body movement that added a compelling note to musical numbers. Costumes felt appropriately grungey to the era, but Murell Horton\u2019s work also had a timelessness through his selection of garments and ensembles that personalized each character to a tee.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As someone who is quite familiar with Rent and the songs, this production still had the power to draw a few tears. The emotional moments were all delivered with the spirit of a tight-knit chosen family. \u201cSeasons of Love\u201d drew an unsurprising sing-along which somehow connected me more to the characters rather than any sort of dissociation. And served to remind that connection is perhaps Rent\u2019s most important themd \u2013 well, that and looo\u2013ooo\u2013ooove.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The show runs through May 16.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u2013Rich Lopez<\/p>\n
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