This was the first time I’d ever seen the show, so here’s the rather detailed review I sent my friends. Alison, Karen and Gill were with me, and we had rush seats in the front row – a lot of fun!
The stage was not what I was expecting at all. The “orchestra” were on the left side and there was a “balcony” above them. In the middle of the stage were a couple of tables, and behind them a staircase, kind of like a fire escape. Off to the right was a large structure…just a pile of junk, basically. The whole thing looked a little out of place in the opulent Royal Alexandra Theatre. 🙂
Anyway, the show begins with Roger just walking in and sitting down…no music, no dimmed lights. You don’t even really realize that it’s starting. Then Mark comes in with his camera and addresses the audience. A few notes about both these performers. Chad Richardson as Mark was incredible. As much as I love Anthony Rapp on the Broadway recording, Chad was just about as good. Luther Creek as Roger was great as well, though he had a way of over-enunciating things that got a little annoying after a while.
Anyway, the first scene was really cool. I liked how they did the phone messages, although I don’t understand why the people needed to be standing in front of microphones when they already had their head mikes on. Oh, and when Mark “threw down the key” to Collins, it landed RIGHT in front of the girl next to me. If I’d been her, I would have kept it. 🙂
Then “Rent”. WOW! The energy on that stage was incredible. Both Mark and Roger looked like they were having a really good time singing this song. 🙂 This was the first time we saw Benny, and he was great as well. Originally, when I first heard the recording, that’s not how I pictured Benny to be, but Laurie had prepared me. 🙂 Anyway, it was fantastic. Very powerful.
Then Angel’s entrance. Jai Rodriguez as Angel was fabulous! I loved the way he said, “And I do not take no”. 🙂 Collins was also wonderful…the whole cast, really, was just great. But I like to point out specific people. 🙂
One Song Glory–my favourite song in the show, and Luther did it REALLY well. He has a very nice voice. There is very little movement during the song, but that’s pretty much how I pictured it.
Light My Candle– we had the Mimi understudy, Saskia Garel, and she was GREAT!! I thought it was really cute how she kept blowing the candle out…I mean, on the CD, you know she’s doing it, but I didn’t realize it would be quite so obvious. And I REALLY didn’t know that she was asking Roger to dance so that she could steal her drugs back from him! 🙂
Today 4U–interesting. 🙂 I was actually a little disappointed in this. I was expecting something more…don’t ask me what!! 🙂 But Jai was great again (lovely costume :-).
You’ll See–This was really good…I liked how Benny tried to convince them that he was right, and they kept pushing him away. I thought Damian Perkins did such a good job as Benny.
Tango: Maureen– AWESOME! I loved this scene. They both acted it so well and I loved when they actually danced! Chad was hilarious. 🙂
Life Support-this was up on the balcony part. It was gorgeous, as always. I just love that tune and they are such inspiring lyrics.
Out Tonight–She can definitely get herself into some interesting positions in this song. 🙂 The whole thing is sung on that fire-escape part on the back of the stage and she makes great use of all the railings. 🙂 But this is a HARD song to sing and she did it wonderfully.
Another Day–WOW! Again. 🙂 I really liked the interaction here between Roger and Mimi…they both acted their parts really well. And I have always adored at the end of this song, when she sings with the Life Support group and he does his part…”I can’t control…”/”Control your temper” and so on. 🙂
Will I?–absolutely gorgeous. Not much else can be said.
Santa Fe–really cool. Collins, Angel and Mark sounded great together, and just looked like they were really the best of friends. I just want to mention one thing in general…I thought it was interesting how most of the company is always on stage…there are hardly any times when the people singing are the only ones on stage. I’m not sure if I like that or not. 🙂
I’ll Cover You–okay, I’ve got to admit I’m a little biased against this song, since Jason used to say it was “our” song. But then again, he only said that ’cause he really liked it, not particularly ’cause I did!! Sorry, off topic there. 🙂 But I really did enjoy it here, ’cause Collins and Angel were both so great! I loved at the beginning, when Mark left, and Angel was like, “Alone at last!” The look on Collins’ face was so cute!! 🙂
We’re Okay–this was okay. 🙂 I found it a little hard to understand what she was saying at all times (besides the fact that I know the words, of course! :-).
Christmas Bells–there is sooooo much going on in this scene!! I’m going to have to see it again just so I can catch some of the other stuff. 🙂 I was watching Roger and Mark at the beginning, then I got distracted by Angel and Collins. 🙂 I missed the part where Roger introduces Mimi to Mark, which I had wanted to see! But you could actually REALLY hear Mark say “But I am over her”, when he’s talking to Mimi about Maureen. Anyway. 🙂 The whole scene was just really cool!!
Over the Moon–whoa. 🙂 It was great…I mean, I don’t really like listening to this part on the CD, but it was just great on stage. Besides the fact that those of us in the front row were getting rained on, of course. 🙂 Jennifer Aubry, who plays Maureen, was just incredible. And I’d just like to say that you wouldn’t be able to do this role if you were in the least bit modest. 🙂
Seasons of Love–very cool. They all came and stood at the front of the stage to sing it. I was trying to make eye contact with Chad Richardson, but he was way on the other end of the stage. 🙂 It’s just a beautiful song – I wanted to clap along, but I wasn’t sure if I should. The soloist’s voice was gorgeous!!
New Year’s Eve–cool. I LOVED Angel’s “Pussy Galore” costume. They used the table as the door that they broke down…that was neat! Benny coming was really good…I loved how he played to the camera.
Take Me or Leave Me–really good. They were both very strong. This is actually one of my least favourite songs from the show, though I couldn’t tell you quite why.
Without You– There were three tables on stage…each couple had a table, and there was different things going on…not quite like I was expecting! I was watching Angel and Collins most of the time, despite the fact that Roger and Mimi were singing. 🙂 But it was just so sad!! I loved the little way he waved. Mimi did a great job of showing her addiction, and Roger his jealousy. Just great acting all around.
Contact–I was always very curious about this song on stage. 🙂 They just took a big sheet and threw it over everyone on the tables and you could just see arms and legs going everywhere. It was really cool. 🙂
I’ll Cover You: Reprise–VERY moving. I was crying, and I had not expected to be crying at Rent!! It was just so sad, and the fact that Collins was actually crying too didn’t help matters much. 🙂
Halloween–I LOVED this. It is one of my favourite songs from the show. Roger did a great job of being angry (though I was scared when he started pushing the table!) and the effect of Collins’ arrival on everyone was done very well.
Goodbye Love–It was great…I loved the interaction between Benny and Mimi…in case I haven’t mentioned it already, I really liked the guy who played Benny. 🙂 I especially liked when he came back at the end to pay for the funeral. I always really liked it that we do actually get to see a decent side to the character.
What You Own–another of my favourite songs! 🙂 I thought it was great…they were both phenomenal (there’s that word, Alison! :-), and the harmony was just beautiful. It was so energetic…well, the whole show was, really, but this song in particular.
Finale–awesome! I didn’t know they actually showed Mark’s film…that was really neat. When Maureen called up that they had Mimi, Roger and Mark came to the edge of the stage to look, and they were looking right down at us! 🙂 Your Eyes was beautiful, and I was crying when Mimi “died”, even though I knew what would happen. The ending was very inspiring…almost like Les Mis in that way! Mark was playing the film out into the audience, which I thought was really cool. And at the very end Angel came back out! Something I thought was really interesting was that they all just bowed together…no individual bows. I suppose that kind of fits with the theme of the show.
“No, you may NOT have the key.”
Alison, as I looked longingly at the key “Mark” had thrown on the floor.
“Thanks for making me cry.”
Me, to Danny Blanco
The cast:
|
Roger Davis |
LUTHER CREEK |
|
Mark Cohen |
CHAD RICHARDSON |
|
Tom Collins |
DANNY BLANCO |
|
Benjamin Coffin III |
DAMIAN PERKINS |
|
Joanne Jefferson |
KAREN LEBLANC |
|
Angel Schunard |
JAI RODRIGUEZ |
|
Mimi Marquez |
SASKIA GAREL |
|
Maureen Johnson |
JENNIFER AUBRY |
|
Mark’s mom, and others |
CHRISTINE BANDELOW |
|
Christmas caroler, Mr. Jefferson, a pastor and others |
DAVID ST. LOUIS |
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Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bag and others |
DIVINE EARTH ESSENCE |
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Gordon, the man, Mr. Grey and others |
DEAN BALKWILL |
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Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter and others |
GAVIN HOPE |
|
Paul, a cop and others |
TOM ALLISON |
|
Alexi Darling, Roger’s mom and others |
TRICIA YOUNG |