NJPAC/ New Jersey Youth Theatre production of Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer Prize winning, Tony Award- winning musical Rent is a well-acted (and well-cast) show. The set – a combination of industrial loft, outdoor space, fire escape, and a few other outdoor and indoor settings was imaginative, gritty, and edgy, just as one would hope. Nestled in the set was the orchestra whose members were right-on, serving both the actors and the audience as they kept up with the actors nuances and engaged the audience’s emotions as only a layer of fine musicianship can do. The sound was good, although there were some glitches, but I hasten to add: the glitches did not take away from the actor’s performances, nor did they affect the flow of the storyline. In fact, the show segued from scene–to-scene practically flawlessly.
(l to r, Mark and Mimi, played by Shayne Kennon and Chelsea Cortes)
The chemistry between the actors who played Tom (Aaron Boykin of New Brunswick, NJ) and Angel (M.J. Rodriguez of Newark NJ) was palpable making their relationship a thing of pure joy to behold. And, the voice of the actor who played Roger (Shayne Kennon) was simply gorgeous. Mike Zimmerman of Somerville, NJ, Chelsea Cortes of Hamilton, NJ, Derrick Hicks of New Brunswick, NJ, Lauren Campbell of Cranford, NJ, and Te La Curtis of North Brunswick, NJ played the roles of Mark, Mimi, Benny, Maureen, and Joanne beautifully. All in all, the musical lived up to its somber messages of premature-death during the early years of the aids crisis, friends coping with tragedy and poverty and differences, and the plight of the artist and others in a big city, and relationships, but, by the end, Rent seemed to affect the audience with its other messages – those of love and hope and connectedness. Love is the answer, and the best we can do is stay hopeful and try to live our lives in the moment as we connect with others. Rent is an emotional show to see and, of course, I cried. When I mentioned the amount of tissues I used during the performance, Chris Cordero (one of the young actors) replied: “Well, then, we did our job.” Job, well done, all!
The production’s NJPAC Victoria Theatre run is over, but you can still catch performances at the Algonquin Theatre in Manasquan, NJ where it will run from Friday, July 30 to Sunday, August 8. Tickets are available at Algonquinarts.org or by calling 732-528-9211.
by P. Erdmann, photo credit: Warren Westura
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