The Real Critics Editor/Publisher
It's Friday and I'm still singing songs from "Rent." I saw the show last Friday night at The Grove in Upland and moments of this production brought me, happily, back to Broadway.
Long before the film version came out I saw "Rent" in New York, front row. I was completely enmeshed in the La Bohem contemporization, and enamored with the characters whose choral message was to live every moment as if it were your last, wishing only to " celebrate, remember the year in the life of friends."
Director Richard Hochberg (and Scenic Designer Frank Dickson) obviously wanted to do the show that patrons expected; the set design and blocking were strongly influenced by the Broadway production. When a director tries to emulate a well known show they must either do the show that everyone knows (to a tee) or they must make it their own. Hochberg, Dickson (and Costume Designer Jeannete Capuano) did an excellent job of recreating the show that the audience knows, and wanted to see.Hochberg also did the piece justice simply by casting very talented vocalists. Though some actors may have lacked character, they made the show worth it with their voices.
Brandon Alpert (Mark Cohen) not only brought life and love to his character, but also has a truly beautiful voice. He and Josh Switzer (Roger Davis) had some amazing moments together -- "Tune Up" and "What You Own."
Mandy Tucci (Mimi) played up the sex kitten (though not nearly as much as she could have) and had a fabulous voice for all of her amazing songs -- "Out Tonight," "Another Day," and "Without You." But Tucci lacked something in her character that allowed the audience to feel any compassion for her. Getting the audience to feel for someone that is a stripper, and a junkie, is no easy task, but it is possible to bring empathy to the character.
Christen Dugger (Maureen) really struck home. "Over the Moon" is not the most engaging or melodic song of the show, but Dugger elicited laughter and love from the crowd. At Friday night's show everyone "Moo"-ed, on cue.
Adair Gilliam (Joanne) also had tremendous character, but her beautiful voice was often lost and her funny words could rarely be heard because of bad mics. This was a problem for a few actors in the show.
Miguel Cardenas (Tom Collins) showed great emotion, emotion that made the audience reel with him. The loss of his love was utterly felt by the audience and lovingly echoed by the ensemble.
Joseph Andreas (Angel Dumott Schnard) had an amazing voice (and some killer legs) for the ever popular numbers "Today For You," "La Vie Boheme," and "I'll Cover You." Though Andreas, as the sick and dying Angel, brought tears to the audiences' eyes, the spunky, lively Angel was rather lackluster. Yes, he was there for all the right moves, the right words and the right cues, but Andreas lacked that verve, that charisma, that the character really needs.
But the small pitfalls of these few actors did not really effect the overall quality of the show. I started this review saying that this show brought me back to Broadway, and with all of the above thoughts in mind, I could still feel the life of Braodway in these actors, in their voices and in the spectacle of the production. Well done.
"Rent" performs through Feb. 7 at The Grove in Upland. Visit www.grovetheatre.com for details.
