Rent
Written by Jonathan Larson
Directed by Jim Corti
at Paramount Theatre, Aurora, IL (map)
thru April 6 | tickets: $37-$50 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
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Steal a car if you must.
Paramount Theatre presents
Rent
Review by Catey Sullivan
A gorgeous score that goes from rock to gospel to funk and back again, an ensemble of unforgettable characters and a story that digs deep into the darkest and most inspiring aspects of the being alive here on planet earth. Jonathan Larson‘s Rent is a triple-threat musical, with all three of those elements firmly in place. And while you could quibble that the piece hasn’t aged particularly well (what with all those references to answering machines and AZT breaks), the loose transplant of La Boheme from 19th century Paris to 20th century New York City still edges toward sublime in its celebratory story of creativity, loss and love.
Rent centers on Roger (Adam Michaels), a struggling rock composer and his roommate/best friend Mark (Andrew M. Mueller), an aspiring filmmaker. Living in an Alphabet City warehouse with a jerry-rigged electrical system, no heat save for a fire place that’s actually a metal trash bin, and no way to pay the rent, Mark and Roger are at the core of a group of fellow Bohemians. The circle of friends is comprised of a wealth of complex, riveting characters struggling with poverty, AIDs and addiction while also absolutely wringing every last drop of joy from every last moment. Even in their most tear-stained moments, the group is the spirit of Carpe Diem personified.
Corti’s cast is uniformly fantastic, but even amid the superlative ensemble, Sawyer Smith stands out as Angel, the HIV positive transvestite with a heart of gold. With "Today 4 U", Smith is utterly electrifying , relaying the story of a bothersome dog, an unexpected cash windfall and the joy of a new love with an almost incandescent verve. It doesn’t hurt that Smith’s dance moves include a death drop that’s simply jaw-dropping. Angel is a challenge for any actor – he’s at once garishly showy and innately humble. Smith captures him in all his complexity, with charm, uniqueness, nerve and talent to spare. Rent isn’t eligible for the Jeffs, but if it were, Smith would be a major contender.
Angel may be the showstopper in the group, but the rest of the ensemble works with similar impact. Mueller and Michaels are a true dynamic duo as Mark and Roger, friends and antagonists whose relationship is founded on love and often fraught with frustration. Michaels radiates raw, jagged streaks of rage and passion throughout (and especially in the mesmerizing "One Song Glory") while Mueller deftly captures Mark’s use of his camera as a suit of armor to protect him from his own emotions.
As the heroin-hooked vixen upstairs, Adaeze’ Kelley smolders with a white-hot sexuality that, like Mark’s camera, serves as a facade covering the core of longing and confusion within. Andrea Prestinario and Meghan Murphy make a combustible pair of lovers as the bi-sexual performance artist Maureen and the obsessively organized attorney Joanne. Their duet "Take Me of Leave Me" is the vocal equivalent of dueling firecrackers – you can practically see the sparks ricocheting between them.
Evan Tyrone Martin ably captures the gentle anarchist philosopher in Tom Collins, bringing a sweetness to "I’ll Cover You" that’ll pull on your heartstrings. And as the Yuppie Bennie, Kevin Rolston Jr. delivers a seemingly hard-hearted landlord whose heart turns out to be in the right place after all.
Playing out on set designer Kevin Depinet‘s cavernous creation of urban decay and featuring the vibrant choreography of Katie Spelman, Rent sounds superb. Under the baton of musical director Shawn Stengel, the ensemble (accompanied by a five piece band that sounds significantly larger) rocks the rafters in the anthemic ode to joy “Seasons of Love” (listen for the walloping aria by Raven Monique Dockery) and soars with poignant aching in "Will I."
It doesn’t matter if you’re a Rentophile who has seen the show dozens of times or a newcomer to Larson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning musical. Steal a car if you must. The Paramount’s production is not to be missed.
Rating: ★★★★
Rent continues through April 6th at Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena, Aurora (map), with performances Wednesdays 1:30pm and 7:30pm, Thursdays 7:30pm, Fridays 8pm, Saturdays 3pm and 8pm, Sundays 1pm and 5:30pm. Tickets are $37-$50, and are available by phone (630-896-6666) or online through their website (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at ParamountAurora.com. (Running time: 2 hour 30 minutes, includes an intermission)
Photos by Liz Lauren
artists
cast
Andrew M. Mueller (Mark), Adaeze’ Kelley (Mimi), Adam Michaels (Roger), Evan Tyrone Martin (Tom Collins), Andrea Prestinario (Maureen), Kelvin Roston Jr. (Benny), Meghan Murphy (Joanne), Sawyer Smith (Angel), Kasey Alfonso, Aaron Conklin, Lillie Cummings, Josh A. Dawson, Erika Diehl, Raven Monique Dockery, Joyee Lin, Gannon O’Brien, Michael Potsic, Neil Stratman, Adrienne Walker (ensemble).
behind the scenes
Jim Corti (director), Shawn Stengel (music director, conductor), Kevin Depinet (set design), Jesse Klug (lighting design), Katie Spelman (choreography), Theresa Ham (costume design), Adam Rosenthal (sound design), Sarah E. Ross (props design), Dianne Morrisette (wig design), Mike Meyer (filmmaker), Rose Marie Packer (stage manager), Tim Rater (executive director), Liz Lauren (photos).
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