CAST: (In Billing Order)
Roger - Heinz WincklerTom - Anwar Robinson
Mark - Dustin Brayley
Steve/Man with Squeegee - Joe Donohoe
Maureen - Christine Dwyer
Paul - Tim Erlich
Angel - Kristen-Alexander Griffith
Alexi - Jade Hicks
Gordon - Corey Joseph Mach
Joanne - Onyie Nwachukwu
Mimi - Jennifer Colby Talton
Benny - John Watson
Directed by Michael Greif
Written by Jonathan Larson
I recently returned from visiting in-laws in Minneapolis, Minnesota. While there we were able to see the current touring Broadway production of RENT on opening night at the Ordway theater in downtown St. Paul. This show was my official "RENT" cherry popping....yes, I am a RENT virgin. Let's get that out of the way right now. I am one of the many who saw the film version before the stage version. Shame on me. I was however, familiar with the music and concept of RENT long before I saw the theatrical release thanks to a certain Canadian friend of mine (Cough...cough....Diana V.)
The Ordway was packed to the rafters for opening night. I was lucky enough to have orchestra seats, stage right, about 12 rows back. Entering the theater, I could feel the excitement. The crowd was young and buzzing, the RENT shirts and mugs were on full display for a meager $40, the stage was dark and smokey and the band was on stage already playing a cover of Journey's "Don't Stop Believing". This was not your grandma's broadway show. It felt unlike any other show I've seen in my 28 years..more like waiting for a rock concert than a play.
Then another strange think happened. Before the show even started....Heinz Winckler (South African Idol winner!) came on stage and plugged in his guitar. Before a note was sung or a line spoke, the crowd erupted with applause. Cool. This was going to be fun. The next two hours was a whirlwind of cheering, clapping, laughter and tears (not mine, heh).
I mean, really, what can you say athat hasn't been said about RENT?? You either love it or you hate it. I did realize as I sat there watching it unfold that this play was written for a different generation. A few of the older folks seemed put off by the themes (Gays, lesbians, cross dressers, AIDS, etc.) However, the young, hip, totally non-homophobic Minnesotans embraced it with open arms. Without a doubt, Angel, who's amazing dancing and phenomenal voice stole the show, was the crowd favorite. In a city like Minnesota, with it's abundance of gay bars and drag queens, I would expect nothing less. That's not a bad thing, I find the town rather charming.
My only tiny problem was more with the building than the show. While stunningly beautiful visually, the acoustics at the Ordway seemed insufficient to handle the power that is "RENT". Ensemble pieces were drowned out and lost to the wind. Had I not known the lyrics beforehand, I'm sure I would be at least a little lost. In fact, several times I heard people around me asking "what did he/she just say?" Not good. I could tell though, that what WAS being sung was powerful, believable, and full of heart. My only other tiff was three girls seated directly behind me. They -like me- were also, very obviously, "RENT" virgins who had seen the movie first and then the play and while I can boast that I went into the stage play fully prepared for what I would see, I could tell they were not. I could count at least two dozen times where one of them whispered "Hey! That didn't happen in the movie!" It reminded me of the time I did a cover of the reprise of "All I Ask of You" from Phantom. I performed it as it is done on the stage. Following the Phantom's decree that they would "curse the day", I began a bit of maniacal laughter, which precedes the falling chandelier in the stage play. Upon posting the song for review, I was flooded with angry messages: "WTF WITH THE LAUGHING?? THERE SHOULD BE NO LAUGHTER...IT'S NOT FUNNY". Messages obviously from new-found "phans" who had just come from the theater and were now know-it-alls. I was so thankful when some true stage fans came to my rescue and ever-so-kindly corrected the noobs.
From my stage-right seat, I had the ability to watch the cast members off stage. It was amazing to see how happy they were, how excited to be doing this. There was a true joy there that you don't often see from actors. And what actors these were! By God! These people were on this night. Winckler sings "One Song Glory" as if his life depended on it, and his touching version of "Your Eyes" even got to me. Jennifer Colby Talton lit up the stage during "Out Tonight" much to the delight of the crowd, was fun and playful during "Light My Candle" and she also showed a tender warm stroke in "Another Day." Anwar Robinson (of American Idol fame) had a highlight moment in the soulful "I'll Cover You" reprise. Dwyer and Nwachukwu were explosive in "Take Me or Leave Me" while the former milked a lot of laughs (no pun intended) from the famous Maureen Monologue and the latter was fun in "Tango Maureen". Brayley kept the show going as Mark with his snappy sense of humor, interesting dance moves and total command of a very difficult role. His duet with Winckler ("What You Own") hit the spot.
However, each and every one of the paled in comparison to Griffith's turn as Angel. This guy could flat out perform and stole the stage every time he was on it. I've not heard of him (her? lol) before but I'm sure he/she/it? is heading for big things. I jest of course. This dude rocked, and the crown loved every minute of it. He could go from a psuedo girly voice to a manly growl and back again on a dime and not even stop to breathe. Truly an awe-inspiring performance. Oh...did I mention he could dance like a champion as well??
It's amazing for me to think that Jon Larson never really got to see his creation grow. I'm sure he would be proud that it has taken of like this. I've never been to a play where the crowd was so interactive and so ready to get other, newer audience members (read: ME!) involved. Three standing O's at the end may not have been enough to show how well put together this touring cast is. Sadly, I hear rent will be leaving Broadway in September. However, it will continue to tour (Originals Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp are slated for shows in '09) and I owuld encourage anyone reading this to click on the website link above or below with article to check for dates.
What else can you say? It's won a Tony Award. It's a phenomenon. It made a better film movie than Phantom could ever hope to (Phantom still remains my favorite stage play, with Les Mis running second and RENT now coming up the rear in a VERY close third). If you have the chance to see it, please do so. I don't think you will regret it. If you are all about living for today, not worrying about regret, and loving all there is to love in life, RENT might just be the medicine you need.
Peace and Love!
Jason
