RENT

My thoughts on RENT or…. lighting all the right candles.

Christmas bells are ringing, Christmas bells are ringing! Yes, it’s a wee bit early, but there is cause to celebrate now because Grand Prairie Arts Council has mounted a production of Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize winning play that is knock your socks off good. And don’t even try to find them as this phenomenal cast has knocked them so far off that they are probably somewhere near the Oklahoma border.

RENT is one of those plays that is near and dear to me. I was lucky to see the original cast twice and several of the NYC replacement casts as well as a few national tours. In DFW, I’ve seen some excellent RENTs but none compare to this wildly entertaining, moving, and joyful production helmed by Director Jayden Russell, Music Director Billy Veer, and Choreographers Danny Vanegas and Kara Price.

Director Russell has achieved a sense of community that permeates this RENT and enhances every aspect of the musical. These people are real, and I cared as never before for these bohemians as they fight the establishment, poverty, and the AIDS plague.

The physical aspects of GPAC’s RENT also help give the production a gritty realism. The scaffolding built by Matt Betz dominates the stage as the action takes place in front of, around, and on it. Simple set pieces travel on and off to establish the musical’s varied scenes. There’s excellent lighting from Allison Pope, sound from Ryan Brazil, and projection design by Mallory Roelke. Costumes by Grace Philipbar and Lillie Galvin have the 90’s counterculture vibe and define the characters. And, yes, Mark still has his famous scarf and Mimi’s got her fishnets.

One aspect of this RENT I really admire is the way Director Russell opens up the scenes and uses the “wow” of an ensemble constantly. Songs that are usually staged with only one or two people on stage are now populated by many. And that choreography! Danny Vanegas and Kara Price have RENT moving in new, inventive, and sometimes humorous ways that fill the stage with energy. The choreography also reinforces Russell’s theme of community.

Initially I was disappointed to find that RENT does not have a live band and still think it is the one element that keeps this RENT at 99 instead of 100. However, Music Director Billy Veer has the singers so fine-tuned that I didn’t notice the missing band by the end of Act I.

Dakota Britvich, an actor I have long admired, establishes himself as a leading man here with his portrayal of the budding filmmaker Mark Cohen, who also narrates the musical. Britvich captures all of Mark’s uneasiness and anxiety as he struggles to keep peace within his group of friends and has a powerful voice that soars when he duets with Joanne, the sensational Janette Robinson, to the “Tango Maureen” and especially with his co-lead Daniel Aaron Bryant as Roger.

This is my first time seeing Bryant perform and his rock star voice and “pretty boy front man” looks make him the perfect Roger, a wounded by love aspiring songwriter who is desperate to leave his mark before he succumbs to AIDS. Bryant’s “One Song Glory” is a stunner and his rapport with Mimi, played by Shahdae Willimas, makes the pair a convincing, if troubled, couple. Willimas is nothing short of thrilling as the young, heroin addicted Mimi. Willimas gives Mimi provocative catlike sexiness and delivers a blisteringly hot “Out Tonight” and turns on the tenderness to make “Goodbye Love” raise goosebumps. A winning and captivating performance.

Hailey Hatfield is a dynamic Maureen, Mark’s flirty, libidinous ex who is now involved with Joanne. Hatfield has one of those rousing, turn up the heat voices that is reminiscent of the great 80’s rock diva Pat Benatar. There’s a rawness to Hatfield’s Maureen that makes the egocentric character appealing. Very few of us would not want to go “Over the Moon” with this Maureen and when Hatfield vocally spars in “Take Me or Leave Me” with the equally dynamic Joanne of Janette Robinson, the audience is the winner.

One of the great stage couples in musical theater is college professor and activist Tom Collins and his drag queen lover, the adorable Angel Dumott Schunard. Joshua Flores as Angel and Javon Tcheco as Collins give this RENT its loving center. Flores, an instinctive actor with a terrific voice, won my heart as the generous, caring, and vivacious Angel. His every gesture and glance make this Angel heavenly and his “Today 4 U” is an early highlight of the show. Javon Tcheco’s Collins is the picture of gentle masculinity, kind and passionately in love with Angel. There is something in Tcheco’s demeanor as Collins that gives the character absolute credibility and a sincerity that is moving and his glorious “I’ll Cover You” remembering Angel had the auditorium filled with sniffles. The skillful Tcheco totally inhabits Collins making his performance poignant and powerful.

Every musical must have a bad guy and in RENT it’s the “yuppie scum” Benjamin Coffin III, a former roommate of Mark and Roger who is now a wealthy by marriage real estate developer. It’s hard to imagine the amiable and dapper Dalton Glover as a villain but he is an excellent Benny and it’s always great to see the character redeemed.

There are dozens of outstanding moments in this RENT but two that will live in my head forever are the breathtaking solos of Julian Rodriguez and Janette Robinson in “Seasons of Love” and the soul stirring voice of Cam Hayes in “Will I?” that turned me into a sobbing mess.

The backbone of GPAC’s RENT is its beyond talented ensemble that is filled with amazing actors many of whom I have seen as leads and featured players in other productions and many who serve as understudies here. They include Noelle Saul, Julian Rodriguez, Michael Valderas, Cammi Collins, Asaysha Hearns, Bryson Beavers, Shannon Davidson, Jessica Deskewies, Shania Guy, Cam Hayes, Brittany Holland, Jackson Loya, Ethan Melendez, Lee Mulupi, Troy Murray, Emily Pyburn, and Lisette Sandoval Perez.

Whether you are a Renthead like me or new to the musical, this RENT is not to be missed. Director Russell has fashioned a RENT that beams with the spirit of togetherness and community. And, Jonathan Larson, keep resting in peace knowing that these young people are keeping your legacy shining.

Thanks to Kris Ikejiri for the photos.