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| The cast of RENT. Photo: Jacqueline Hubbard |
It Took a Couple of Decades, but Theater-Changer
Finally Pays Some RENT at Ivoryton
By Lauren Yarger
When Ivoryton Playhouse Artistic Director Jacqueline Hubbard
greeted the audience for the current production of RENT, she did more than welcome the crowd. She sort of made a
statement about how theater stays current.
This rock musical, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1996 and
forever changed the face of musicals, appeals to a younger crowd and represents
a bit of a gamble for Ivoryton, where the crowd is, like many smaller regional
theaters, shall we say with respect, not so young, and used to more happy-ending
type productions. It might have taken 20 years for the timing to feel right to
bring to quiet Connecticut this story of a bunch of Bohemian kids in New York’s
East Village who are trying to survive poverty and AIDS, but it seems to have
paid off. Audiences have been responding favorably to this well staged
production featuring a talented cast that is one of Ivoryton’s vocally
strongest to date. “Seasons of Love,” for example, one of the well known tunes
form the show, is a pleasure with Jamal Shuriah
and Sheniquah Denise Trotman, who wowed us as Effie in Ivoryton’s production of
Dreamgirls, nail their solos.
In a story by Jonathan Larson inspired by Puccini’s La Bohème
, some young people are squatters in a building (Set Design is by Martin Scott Marchitto), owned by former tenant
Benny (Collin Howard). Benny is demanding
back rent that the friends can’t pay. They are Mark (Tim Russell), a filmmaker whose girlfriend, Maureen (Stephanie Genito ),
just left him for Joann (Maritzaa Bostic), his roommate Roger, a musician, whose
AIDS-infected girlfriend committed suicide, and their friend, Tom Collins (a
beautifully voiced Patrick Clanton), who finds love with drag queen Angel (Jonny
Cortes). Roger might find a second chance at love with neighbor Mimi (Alyssa
Gomez), who also is HIV positive.
Maureen stages a protest
against plans to evict the building’s dwellers in a very funny “Over the Moon” avant-garde
presentation, but the building is padlocked when they return. Benny might have
a change of heart, however, if former girlfriend Mimi can influence him.
The story focuses on how these
young kids become a makeshift family of support and love – in contrast to their
biological families. Parents leave a number of voice messages for their kids,
but are clueless about “La Vie Bohème” and what they are going through as they
try to find their place in the world.
“Forget regret. Life is yours
to miss,” go the lyrics.
Hubbard’s attention to detail
helps tell the story as it plays out on multiple levels. There is a lot going
on, with the entire cast on stage throughout (costumed by Designer Lisa Bebey and
performing Choreography by Todd Underwood that puts us in mind of the original
production.). Hubbard effectively fills out background movement without
distracting from the main action. When Roger and Mimi are exploring their
feelings in “Another Day,” the spot light (design by Marcus Abbott)
appropriately is on them and the actors bring a full scale of emotions and
depth behind the words they are saying and the fear that encompasses them.
That duo also has one of the
show’s favorite tunes, “Without You” which was delivered with such raw emotion
(under the guidance of Musical Director Michael Morris) that the audience was
silent at its finish instead of bursting into applause, which somehow would
have seemed out of place in the touching moment.
RENT developed a cult
following, especially when its composer, Jonathan Larson, died the day before
the show opened in New York. It grabbed the hearts of a young generation and
won the Tony Award for best Musical. It went on to play more than 5,000
performances and is the seventh-longest running show in Broadway history.
“Rent Heads” were folks who
went back to see the show multiple times. It was one of the first shows to
offer “Rush” tickets – cheap seats in the front row – on the day of the
performance to make sure lower-income people had a chance to see live theater.
Following this tradition, Ivoryton Playhouse will save 20 seats for every
performance at a $25 price. Those seats will be available after 6 pm every show
day. If you are interested in helping to
support this program, call (860) 767-9520 ext 205.
Note: the show contains brief nudity.
RENT rocks out the Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St., Ivoryton, through Aug, 28. Performances are Wednesday and Sunday matinees at 2 pm. Evening performances are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm. Two additional Saturday matinee performances have been added Aug. 20 and 27, both at 2 pm. Tickets are $50 for adults; $45 for seniors; $22 for students and $17 for children. (860) 767-7318; ivorytonplayhouse.org.
Additional credits:
Sound Design by Tate R Burmeister, Costume Design by Lisa Bebey, Hair and Wig Design by Elizabeth Cipolina.
Full Cast:
Jamal Shuriah….Mr. Jefferson, Pastor, “Seasons of Love” Soloist 2
Sheniquah Denise Trotman…. Mrs. Jefferson, Coat Vendor, “Seasons of Love Soloist 1”
Collin Howard…. Benjamin Coffin III
Tim Russell…. Mark Cohen
Grant Benedict…. Gordon, Mr. Grey and others
Johnny Newcomb…. Roger Davis
Alyssa Gomez…. Mimi Marquez
Patrick Clanton…. Tom Collins
Jonny Cortes…. Angel Dumott Schunard
Maritzaa Bostic….Joann Jefferson
Stephanie Genito…. Maureen Johnson
Ronnie S. Bowman, Jr….. Paul, Police and others
Mac Cherny…. Steve, Squeegee Man, Waiter
Sandra Lee… Mrs. Cohen and others
Josephine Gottfried…. Alexi, Roger’s mom and others
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