“How do you measure a year? In daylights? In sunsets? In midnights? In cups of coffee? In inches? In miles? In laughter and strife? In 525,600 minutes?” Jonathan Larson’s epic rock opera “RENT” begs to answer these questions. And starting tonight, when the current national tour of “RENT” pulls into the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall, you too can try to answer them.
The current tour has crisscrossed the country since it has returned from hiatus in mid-September. Before the University of Massachusetts, the tour previously played in Georgia and Pennsylvania. It’s booked well into 2004, continuing on to future stops in Chicago, Los Angeles, St. Louis, Houston and Las Vegas. The show is identical to the one that plays nightly at the Nederlander Theater in New York – with one small exception. It’s a Non-Equity tour. However, all that means is that the cast is full of unknown actors, waiting to make their big break. They’ve had just as much experience as those on Broadway, sometimes even more; they’ve just never been in an Equity (professional) Broadway show. They have the same passion and intensity, and their performances are nothing less than stellar.
This tour boasts a talented young cast, lead by Brian Gligor as Mark, an aspiring film maker, and Collins, an HIV positive, computer pro, is played by Marcus Paul James. Constantine Maroulis tackles the role of Roger, a wanna-be rock star infected with HIV who’s trying to write one great song before he dies. HIV positive, S’M dancer Mimi (and Roger’s love interest) is played by Jamie Lee Kirchner. Also included in the vagabond army are Damien Deshaun Smith as Angel, a sassy drag queen with a heart of gold, Daryl C. Brown as Benny, an aspiring entrepreneur and former friend of Mark and Roger (also the landlord of their building) Leslie Diamond as Maureen, a lesbian performance artist and Mark’s ex-girlfriend and Joanne, a public interest lawyer and Maureen’s lover, played by Rebecca Jones. Rounding out the rest of the ensemble, who play various characters throughout the show, are Jahmal Adderly, Jeannette Bayardelle, Jeff Scot Carey, Dan Domenech, Joe Donohoe, Lesly Terrell Donald, Badia Farha, Erin Greiner, Genny Padilla, Daniel Shevlin and Suzanne Slade.
The original creative team repeats its duties on the road, under the sublime and superb direction of Michael Greif. Marlies Yearby duplicates her memorable choreography as well. Angela Wendt’s hip and audacious costumes are just as fabulous on the road as in New York, and Paul Clay’s abstract set and Blake Burba’s inventive lighting are brilliantly recreated.
The edgy subject matter and themes of sexuality, AIDS, class, hopes and dreams, preaching about facing an uncertain future with courage, humor, loyalty and love and aspiring to make it big have all helped “RENT” achieve acclaim. Having sharp, thought-provoking lyrics, a hot, sexy and freakishly talented young cast belting out a blazing score with a backbone in rock doesn’t hurt either.
“RENT” sets up shop at the Concert Hall for two performances on Wednesday and Thursday. Tickets cost $15 for Five College Students, and range from $15-$45 for the public. For more ticket information, call or visit the FAC box office, 413-545-2511.
In case you’ll miss it at UMass, the tour stops next at the Providence Performing Arts Center Friday and Saturday.
On the Net: www.siteforrent.com or www.rentthetour.com.
