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 When
you find yourself humming the tunes of a show you’ve seen, while
picturing the scenes in your mind, for hours, days, weeks, and, in some
cases, months after you’ve seen it, the performance must have been
that good. This is how many young people today feel about Jonathan Larson’s
Broadway musical RENT, an ebullient and riveting show whose music, plot,
and performance are unforgettable.
RENT, a modern rock version of the 19th century Italian opera “La
Boheme,” is set in New York’s East Village, where young people
strive to make it in a world tinted a dingy gray by poverty, disease,
and drugs. Thrust into the real world, they struggle to achieve their
dreams, to battle AIDS, to find love, and even to pay their rent. As
soon as you enter the theatre (the Nederlander Theatre by Times Square),
and gaze at the stage, the plain, unadorned, street setting conveys
the message that the story does not provide any rose-colored view of
life. None of the characters has a perfect life story, except for maybe
Joanne Jefferson, a successful Harvard graduate unencumbered by a lack
of money or by AIDS. Pessimistic Roger, enthusiastic Angel, and troubled
Mimi are afflicted by this disease, which gathers dark clouds over them
while they strive to live for what they believe in: their dreams and
their loves. Mark, just dumped by ex-girlfriend Maureen who turns out
to be lesbian and leaves him for Joanne, is lost in the world, denying
his inner feelings of failure and loneliness.
However, the show is far from being one big sob story. Among the dark
problems, there are humorous and outright hilarious moments, as well
as scenes that make you smile, to balance the many emotions experienced
throughout the show. The uninhibited, exuberant nature of such characters
as Maureen and Angel, a male drag queen with a kind heart, keep the
audience entertained. In addition, there is that love-story flavor that
entreats the viewer’s compassion and deeper involvement in the
tale. At the close of many scenes, the uproar of applause and cheers
from the audience proves their satisfaction and enjoyment.
The plot rocks on towards a semi-tragic, yet unexpectedly heartwarming
and “good” ending, if one may call it that. The lasting memory
left in the minds of much of the audience is undoubtedly that of just
experiencing flawless acting, passionate singing, and a captivating
production of a meaningful story very applicable to life.
As for the best and worst of RENT, both involve the music. The skilled
vocals, especially of Karmine Alers (Mimi) and Sebastian Arcelus (Roger),
coupled with the  rock
and roll acoustics, give the show its unique liveliness and make you
feel, not just hear, the action and emotion. The only letdown of the
performance, and critics such as Jonathan Richards of the London Theatre,
as well as some audience members, agree, were its sometimes-messy musical
pieces. At intervals, the viewer finds it difficult to make out the
words of the songs or what exactly is going on and where because of
the quick and multi-layered action. But perhaps the purpose of this
is to create effect: with so many things going on at once and several
characters singing their own parts simultaneously, the audience feels
bombarded with all the action, as the director probably intended. However,
that doesn’t cast too big of a shadow, because one can still enjoy
the show with all the excitement.
RENT, proclaimed a smashing hit musical by many critics, has performed
all over the world and continues to enjoy international success and
fame. For all those ‘N’ Sync fans out there, beginning August
5th, Joey Fatone will play Mark on Broadway, which is a dream come true
for him.
For more information on this musical, tickets, and video and sound previews
of the show, be sure to visit RENT’s official website at: www.siteforrent.com.
Related
Links:
The
Main Site for Rent |
