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REVIEW: Seizing the day in harmony in North Shore Music Theatre’s ‘Rent’

Posted on September 30 by The Sleepless Critic

Why do things happen the way they do?

Chance meetings and a string of random events bring a group of Bohemian artists together in profound ways as they struggle to survive in NYC. Spanning one year from 1989-1990, North Shore Music Theatre’s Rent reveals a striking and darker interpretation than previous versions I have witnessed. Perhaps it’s a reflection of our troubled times, but its powerful and optimistic message still remains that the best way to cope with suffering is by holding onto each other.

Directed poignantly yet hopefully with sharp choreography by Marcos Santana and vigorous music direction by Robert L. Rucinski, North Shore Music Theatre continued Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer prize-winning musical Rent live and in person at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts through Sunday, September 28. This rock musical has adult themes and ran two hours and 35 minutes with one 15 minute intermission. Click here for more information and here what is next in North Shore Music Theatre’s season.

The cast of “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

Having had phenomenal success as an acclaimed hit musical in the 90s and as one of the longest running shows on Broadway, Rent took the stage around the world and was adapted into a film of the same name in 2005. It recently celebrated its 30^th anniversary since its stage debut and it has been nearly 30 years since its Broadway debut. In 2021, Lin-Manuel Miranda also directed the acclaimed film adaptation of autobiographical musical, Tick Tick Boom, based on Rent creator Jonathan Larson’s life starring Andrew Garfield.

Based on Puccini’s world famous opera, La bohème , Rent is a daring, joyous, raw, and poignant musical about a group of 20-somethings living in New York City during the AIDS epidemic. It explores love, loss, hardships, dreams and realizations all while this group struggles to make the rent.

he cast of “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

A chalkboard graffiti-riddled floor, tattered rafters, scaffolding, glowing Christmas bulbs, street lights and a sporadically-lit and weathered neon sign illuminated by José Santiago’s vibrant lighting is just a portion of Jeffrey D. Kmiec’s industrial-inspired sliding set design depicting Mark and Roger’s East Village loft in Manhattan. Rent truly comes to life through video designer Beth Truax’s cinematic touch and Alex Berg’s bustling sound design.

Like nostalgia of the era displayed in North Shore Music Theatre’s previous production of Grease, Rent showcases its own remnants of 80s and 90s nostalgic flair in combat boots, flannels, pay phones, corded phones, amusing answering machine messages and newspapers.

After a quieter opening scene, Rent hits the ground running with fervor, urgency, and pulsing chorography in its title track. This theatre-in-the-round’s immersive experience featured various incidents of kindness and conflict occurring in several parts of the theatre and this trend continued several more times ranging from humor to frustration in building intensity.

Aaron Alcaraz (Mark Cohen) with the cast “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

Driven by powerful and edgy vocals, Rent’s characters are a combination of dreamers and those firmly planted in the present doing whatever it takes to get through everyday life. Aaron Alcarez depicts ambitious and determined Mark, an aspiring documentary filmmaker living with his contemplative and temperamental roommate Roger, portrayed movingly by Austin Turner. Roger is HIV-positive, a recovering drug addict and with guitar in hand, vows to write one amazing song before he passes demonstrated in rising triumph in One Song Glory. However, when Didi Romero as vivacious Mimi shows up at their apartment, life takes an unexpected turn demonstrated in a playful duet and instant chemistry with Turner in Will You Light My Candle and the sincere and tender, I Should Tell You.

Didi Romero as Mimi Marquez in “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

In fishnet tights and layered clothing, Romero is daring, charming and bold as free spirit Mimi fueled by Romero’s provocative and soaring vocals Out Tonight, possessing more than a passing resemblance to Idina Menzel who portrayed Mimi in the 2005 film. Robert Garcia approaches complex Angel with a self-assured kindness and less splashy demeanor in Are You Okay while Aaron Arnel Harrington warmly portrays Collins with a distinctive deep baritone.

Isaiah Rose Garcia (Angel Dumott Schunard) and Aaron Arnell Harrington (Tom Collins) in “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

A jumble of ostentatious ego, stubbornness and high maintenance, Cate Hayman puts gusto in Maureen, especially in a gutsy and unhinged rendition of Over the Moon. Level headed and hardnosed lawyer Joanne, portrayed with powerful vocals and a guttural growl by Kat Rodriguez, rocks in Take me or Leave Me, but one of the best moments of the musical occurs between Alcaraz and Rodriguez in a catchy, chiming and playful harmony in Tango: Maureen.

Kat Rodriguez (Joanne Jefferson) and Aaron Alcaraz (Mark Cohen) in “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

Grave issues such as homelessness, capitalism, promiscuity and drug addiction are often laid bare in Rent and is partially demonstrated in the bold La Vie Boehme. Romance in this musical makes an impact, but what far exceeds the romance is the incredible harmony and camaraderie this group creates together. Christmas Bells, Happy New Year, and Another Day soar, but nothing quite compares to the musical’s iconic number, Seasons of Love in which the audience shared a moment of stunned silence in awe of the stirring power of that moment.

Aaron Alcaraz (Mark Cohen), Aaron Arnell Harrington (Tom Collins), Austin Turner (Roger Davis), Didi Romero (Mimi Marquez), Cate Hayman (Maureen Johnson), and Kat Rodriguez (Joanne Jefferson) in “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre thru September 28. Photos © Paul Lyden

North Shore Music Theatre continued Jonathan Larson’s Pulitzer prize-winning musical Rent live and in person at North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts through Sunday, September 28. Click here for more information and here for here for what is next in North Shore Music Theatre’s season.

REVIEW: ‘Hadestown’ a soulful and eternally hopeful journey

Posted on April 26, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

In Hadestown, there is nothing quite like a song.

Though I’m not normally a fan of mythology, Hadestown has a universal appeal as a soulful journey through faith and love with idealistic expectations and earnestness of what could be. A dream awakened of a love not tethered to a world of capitalism and poverty. Pure and untarnished was Orpheus and Eurydice.

Will Mann, Amaya Braganza, J. Antonio Rodriguez and Company in ‘Hadestown’ North American Tour 2023 Photo by T Charles Erickson

Directed intuitively by Rachel Chavkin with pulsing and dynamic choreography by David Neumann and stirring music, lyrics and book by Anaïs Mitchell, Tony award-winning Hadestown continues at the Boch Center Wang Theatre in Boston, Massachusetts live and in person through Sunday, April 28. The production is two hours and 30 minutes including one intermission. Click here for more information and tickets and here for its next stop on its national tour.

Will Mann and company in ‘Hadestown’ North American Tour 2023 Photo by T Charles Erickson

Set in a New Orleans-style depression era with a steam punk vibe and fueled by Bradley King’s brilliant lighting, Hadestown explores a mystical world of gods, men, and the social divide of the haves and have nots. This world is dark in more ways than one, but King’s amazing lighting dances like the characters onstage through spotlights to glowing lanterns to strobe lights to illuminating headlights – fierce, occasionally harsh, luminous and lively. Accented with a wrought iron balcony, etchings and green walls, scenic designer Rachel Hauck infuses classic New Orleans finesse with hidden tunnels and functioning railroad whistle. A sparkling black umbrella is just a hint of the unique, Victorian, steam punk-inspired costumes by Michael Krass steeped in mostly black and white that emphasize vibrant bursts of color featuring pinstripes, metal, and leather.

J. Antonio Rodriguez and company in ‘Hadestown’ North American Tour 2023 Photo by T Charles Erickson

With a haunting horn and fiddle-infused soundtrack that blends folk, blues, and New Orleans-style jazz delivered by an intimate onstage band, Hadestown boasts a plethora of edgy, powerful and distinctive vocals unique to each character. Chant and Way Down Hadestown are especially catchy and inventive tracks in a unique collection of pops, clicks, and layered harmonies.

Will Mann in ‘Hadestown’ North American Tour 2023 Photo by T Charles Erickson

Narrator, advisor, and consoler Will Mann affably portrays Hermes with self aware warmth and an interactive hint of wistfulness skillfully drawing the audience into this multilayered tale. With soaring vocals and an exuberant yet tough exterior, Amaya Braganza glows as wanderer Eurydice. Sporting blue hair, ripped stockings, and black boots, Braganza as Eurydice is vibrant and helplessly taken by naïve, romantic, humble, and spontaneous musician Orpheus, depicted with endearing charm by J. Antonio Rodriguez. Together they perform a soothing and vulnerable rendition All I’ve Ever Known. High tenor Rodriguez has an angelic falsetto hitting notes that seem otherworldly for Doubt Comes In.

J. Antonio Rodriguez and Amaya Braganza in ‘Hadestown’ North American Tour 2023. Photo by T Charles Erickson

With a rock star swagger and strut, Matthew Patrick Quinn breaths into Hades a rich and authoritative baritone and scene stealing wit behind thin dark shades. He wields the atmosphere driven by coal, capitalism, and soulless innovation especially prevalent in Quinn’s rendition of Why We Build a Wall. With electric blue eye shadow and a lustrous lime dress with florals, Lana Gordon is striking as Persephone with fervent vocals to match. Gordon performs a memorable duet with Quinn for How Long and navigates Our Lady of the Underground with a remarkable belt.

Lana Gordon and company in ‘Hadestown’ North American Tour 2023. Photo by T Charles Erickson

Marla Louissaint, Lizzie Markson, Hannah Schreer depict three mesmerizing and elusive Fates. They personify the conscience, the doubt, the fear, and the creeping proclamation of humanity’s shortcomings in a trio of chiming harmony. Burning into the psyche, their ascending vocal prowess is emphasized in an impressive and partially acapella rendition of Nothing Changes, soaring When the Chips are Down and in their role in Hadestown’s signature number Wait for Me.

J. Antonio Rodriguez, Marla Louissaint, Lizzie Markson and Hannah Schreer in ‘Hadestown’ North American Tour 2023 Photo by T Charles Erickson

Hadestown reflects the shortcomings of being human while the pettiness of the gods weighs in the balance of everyone’s fates culminating into a gripping finale. Eternally hopeful, Hadestown is a profound journey definitely worth the trip.

REVIEW: ‘34 Carmine Street,’ featured at the New York City Indie Film Festival, gets to the heart of small business

Posted on July 6, 2022 by The Sleepless Critic

You’ve Got Mail, a hit film starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, explores the virtues and survival of a small business bookstore up against a number of factors including corporate bookstore chains. Small bookstore owner Kathleen Kelly and her fictional Shop around the Corner is embraced by the community for its rich history, Kelly’s unique personality reflected in every aspect of her bookstore including the storefront, her handpicked books, and the selection of readers and performers that appear at her store. Every aspect is meticulously designed to make a particular impression for the customer. The Shop around the Corner’s small but knowledgeable staff would not only know each handpicked book by heart and personally assist you in making a selection, but probably knows most of their devoted customers not only by name, but as a friend.

Supporting small business has not only always been a prevalent topic, but has gained that much more significance in the last few years, especially during the height of the pandemic. Corporate business, rising real estate prices, the tough economy, and many other factors continuously impact the survival of small businesses and without more support, they often get left in the dust.

34 Carmine Street was part of the Documentary 14 series featured at the New York City Indie Film Festival that continued through June 19 in person at the Producers Club in New York City. Curated by Gerard van den Broek, Documentary 14 series also included documentary films Cinema and Sanctuary and Trash Day.

The New York City Indie Film Festival featured a variety of films from shorts to narratives to documentaries curated with common themes. Sleepless Critic had the opportunity to review screenings on music, small businesses, love and connection and much more.

Co-founded by Executive Director Dennis Cieri and Director Bonnie Rush, this renowned festival has screened thousands of films since it was first launched in 2010. Click here for more information, film submissions for next year, and click here to see what we had to say about NYC Indie Film Festival’s Narrative 14 series and here for what we had to say about the films in the Documentary 12 series.

Photo credit to the New York City Indie Film Festival

Directed insightfully by Beatriz Browne, renowned short documentary 34 Carmine Street makes a strong argument not only for the survival of a historic and strong minded Greenwich Village bookstore and other unique, longtime small businesses on that street, but encapsulates what makes small businesses an irreplaceable part of the community without being preachy or political. It digs deep into a part of Greenwich Village’s history where these small businesses have survived for decades while always having something significant to say about the world. It may also change your mind about where you shop next.

34 Carmine Street, Cinema and Sanctuary, and Trash Day were all part of Documentary 14 at the New York City Indie Film Festival which continued through June 19 in person at the Producers Club. Click here for more information on this annual festival and its winners.