Rent at the Pantages Theatre
WESTSIDE L.A. - Welcome back to the 90s. Not the boy band/Britney Spears 90s, but the Kurt Cobain, grunge, living-on-the-edge 90s. You know what I’m talking about. And if you don’t, then a trip down memory lane to see the latest revival of Rent at the Pantages Theatre is probably not going to woo you.
However, it certainly wooed thousands upon thousands of screaming fans, who packed the theatre to the rafters on opening night of the touring production of this 90s musical loosely based on the Puccini opera La Boheme, about life, love, the pursuit of individual happiness… and AIDS.
It was an eclectic mix of old and young who shrieked en masse and applauded wildly as soon as they heard the first beats of any number of the familiar songs. More rock concert than rock musical, Rent was packed with what I’m told are ‘Rentheads’ – many of whom were probably in diapers when the show debuted on Broadway 12 year ago.
The plot – and it’s an incredibly flimsy one at that – follows the lives of a young group of artists, junkies and transvestites squatting in a building in New York’s East Village, and their efforts to resist eviction by a former roommate who is now their landlord. Struggling with their own personal lives and where they fit in, the characters hook up, break up and get back together in a myriad of iterations: straight couples, homosexual couples, lesbian couples, and everything in between.
Amidst their day-to-day struggles, we learn a little about the characters’ personal lives, but not really enough to connect with them as individuals. The production is fast-paced and frenetic, shifting effortlessly from scene to scene, accompanied by an onstage band, a delightful addition to the rough and tumble tenement-style set. It’s clear that the musicians are having as much fun as the performers, perhaps even more so.
At times, it’s impossible to follow the lyrics or the plot, but if you’re not a stickler for knowing what’s going on, then try reading the synopsis ahead of schedule, listen to the soundtrack a few dozen times, and then just sit back and enjoy the explosion of color, light and amped up energy.
Michael Grief’s direction is so fast paced that he doesn’t allow enough time for important moments of connection, particularly between the two main lovers - the young junkie and HIV positive Mimi Marquez (played by Lexi Lawson) - and Roger Davis (Adam Pascal, reprising his original Broadway and film role). It’s a shame because Lawson brings a real poignancy to her role and has a powerhouse voice that belies her tiny frame.
Pascal is starting to look a little long in the tooth for the role these days, and his energy was flagging towards the end of the production. However, Anthony Rapp (also reprising his original Broadway role as Mark) didn’t disappoint. His nerdy, Jewish filmmaker trying to please everyone (including his parents) could so easily be a parody, but he fleshes out his character’s angst and forms a beautiful bond with the character of Joanne Jefferson (played by Haneefah Wood). Their scenes together (and apart) are some of the best moments in the show.
Other standouts are Michael McElroy and Justin Johnston as the doomed lovers Tom Collins and transvestite Angel Schunard, whose love, hopefully, provides the right kick-in-the-pants to the self-absorbed, self-obsessed “me, me, me” group of misfits who round out the rest of the cast.
Kudos to set designer Paul Clay who has managed to take a cavernous stage and turn it into an intimate space. Brick walls and metal railings that work both horizontally and vertically capture the grime and grunge of the East Village, pushing the characters into tight corners and intimate spaces and forcing them to confront themselves and each other.
On opening night, there were clearly some lighting issues, but hopefully as the run continues, the dim lights won’t be so dim and the follow spot will hit its’ mark.
Nonetheless, whether it’s the music, the misfits, or the subsequent movie that was made from this Broadway show, apparently there’s still a place onstage for personal growth, existential angst, and the need to connect. And there are always going to be kids who need to find a way to pay the rent.
Rent is on at the Pantages through March 8. For information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayLA.org or call 213-365-3500
However, it certainly wooed thousands upon thousands of screaming fans, who packed the theatre to the rafters on opening night of the touring production of this 90s musical loosely based on the Puccini opera La Boheme, about life, love, the pursuit of individual happiness… and AIDS.
It was an eclectic mix of old and young who shrieked en masse and applauded wildly as soon as they heard the first beats of any number of the familiar songs. More rock concert than rock musical, Rent was packed with what I’m told are ‘Rentheads’ – many of whom were probably in diapers when the show debuted on Broadway 12 year ago.
The plot – and it’s an incredibly flimsy one at that – follows the lives of a young group of artists, junkies and transvestites squatting in a building in New York’s East Village, and their efforts to resist eviction by a former roommate who is now their landlord. Struggling with their own personal lives and where they fit in, the characters hook up, break up and get back together in a myriad of iterations: straight couples, homosexual couples, lesbian couples, and everything in between.
Amidst their day-to-day struggles, we learn a little about the characters’ personal lives, but not really enough to connect with them as individuals. The production is fast-paced and frenetic, shifting effortlessly from scene to scene, accompanied by an onstage band, a delightful addition to the rough and tumble tenement-style set. It’s clear that the musicians are having as much fun as the performers, perhaps even more so.
At times, it’s impossible to follow the lyrics or the plot, but if you’re not a stickler for knowing what’s going on, then try reading the synopsis ahead of schedule, listen to the soundtrack a few dozen times, and then just sit back and enjoy the explosion of color, light and amped up energy.
Michael Grief’s direction is so fast paced that he doesn’t allow enough time for important moments of connection, particularly between the two main lovers - the young junkie and HIV positive Mimi Marquez (played by Lexi Lawson) - and Roger Davis (Adam Pascal, reprising his original Broadway and film role). It’s a shame because Lawson brings a real poignancy to her role and has a powerhouse voice that belies her tiny frame.
Pascal is starting to look a little long in the tooth for the role these days, and his energy was flagging towards the end of the production. However, Anthony Rapp (also reprising his original Broadway role as Mark) didn’t disappoint. His nerdy, Jewish filmmaker trying to please everyone (including his parents) could so easily be a parody, but he fleshes out his character’s angst and forms a beautiful bond with the character of Joanne Jefferson (played by Haneefah Wood). Their scenes together (and apart) are some of the best moments in the show.
Other standouts are Michael McElroy and Justin Johnston as the doomed lovers Tom Collins and transvestite Angel Schunard, whose love, hopefully, provides the right kick-in-the-pants to the self-absorbed, self-obsessed “me, me, me” group of misfits who round out the rest of the cast.
Kudos to set designer Paul Clay who has managed to take a cavernous stage and turn it into an intimate space. Brick walls and metal railings that work both horizontally and vertically capture the grime and grunge of the East Village, pushing the characters into tight corners and intimate spaces and forcing them to confront themselves and each other.
On opening night, there were clearly some lighting issues, but hopefully as the run continues, the dim lights won’t be so dim and the follow spot will hit its’ mark.
Nonetheless, whether it’s the music, the misfits, or the subsequent movie that was made from this Broadway show, apparently there’s still a place onstage for personal growth, existential angst, and the need to connect. And there are always going to be kids who need to find a way to pay the rent.
Rent is on at the Pantages through March 8. For information and tickets, visit www.BroadwayLA.org or call 213-365-3500
Photo credit: All photos by Joan Marcus
Light my candle: Adam Pascal as Roger and Lexi Lawson as Mimi share a moment.
La Vie Boheme: The cast of Rent celebrate
An unlikely couple: Michael McElroy as Tom and Justin Johnston as Angel, share a moment.
Filming it all for posterity. Anthony Rapp as Mark.
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