Rent

Rent is a rock musical loosely based on Puccini’s La Boheme, and narrates the story of impoverished artists living in the Village of New York during the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. The show’s book, music, and lyrics creator, Jonathon Larson, died suddenly the night before its off-Broadway opening in 1996. The show ran for twelve years and has continued to run as a touring and international show since.

Rent was a groundbreaking musical and follows a year in the lives of a group of young artists as they struggle with poverty, illness, love, and the search for meaning.

Rent is an oft-performed musical in community theatre circles, with its low production costs, ensemble cast, and options for interesting creative variations. Its themes of marginalised communities and the importance of life and love are as relevant today as they were in the 1990s. As Cody Riker, the Director of this ASPECT production, says, “Rent is a show about life, not death; love, not loss. It teaches us to live for today and to love fiercely and unconditionally.” Cody is an experienced and highly awarded director. Hailing from the USA, he is no stranger to Rent, as this is his third involvement in the show. His experience was evident in this production. The cast understood their characters exceptionally well, and the production was remarkably cohesive. His team of Manda Rozen-Flannery as Assistant Director and Choreographer, Jessica West as Musical Director, and Charlotte Greenslade as Interim Musical Director obviously all worked well together.

The set for Rent is almost always a simple fixed set, taking the audience into a low socio-economic bohemian Village of New York, and this set by Sam Forsythe fulfilled this requirement. Costume design by Cas Cooper King was effective with the majority of characters, homeless artists. Sam Victoria designed the lighting, sound, and projections. Lighting was moody and suitable for the show's vision and New York of the time. Some cast occasionally missed their lighting cues on the prompt side. Sound can be awkward at the Shirley Burke, but Sam did exceptionally well, especially as the band (Keys 1 & 2, Drums, Bass and Guitar 1 & 2) were backstage near the exit door. I hope the musicians rugged up in the cold Melbourne winter weather. Quick call out to the backstage crew. Set pieces were moved by the cast quickly and effectively, not always easy with the small wings at the Shirley Burke theatre.

Critiquing the cast is challenging because everyone did well, including the leads and the ensemble. Josh Direen, who played Roger, had a charismatic presence and lived the role every moment. His strong rock voice is perfect for the role. He worked well with Mathew Arter as Mark and Sienna Levy as Mimi.

Rosanna Hewson burst onto the stage in the role of Maureen. Their performance was mesmerising, full of energy and conceit, which is perfect for the role. They drove and led “Over the Moon” strongly. Rosanna and Michelle McCann-Smith as Joanne, did well in their pivotal duet, “Take Me or Leave Me”.

I first saw Bradley Marshall play the lead in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat with ASPECT many years ago. As Tom Collins, he sang and acted brilliantly, and I am glad he has returned to the theatre after a break. He and Kynen Cogan as Angel made a great pairing, and emotions during “I’ll Cover You” were beautiful.

Rent is semi-autobiographical as Larson lived for some time in the Village. It’s sad to know that Jonathon Larson would not see the success Rent would achieve, but no doubt he would be thrilled by how it has become an important cultural artifact.

Well done, creative, cast, and crew of ASPECT Theatre for your production of Rent.

Jane Court

Synopsis

Act 1 begins on Christmas Eve and spans the following few weeks. Mark, a filmmaker and Roger, a musician face eviction from their industrial loft by their former friend turned landlord, Benny. They are soon joined by others in their community Mimi, a dancer, Collins, a professor, Angel, a free-spirited drag performer, Maureen, Mark’s ex-girlfriend, and Joanne, Maureen’s new partner. The group navigates artistic pursuits, complicated relationship and the threat of loss.

Act II picks up on New Year’s Eve and unfolds over the next eleven months, culminating the following Christmas Eve. The group face deepening struggles – illness, heartbreak and the looming reality of death – but also moments of reconciliation, and hope.