Without You | The Sleepless Critic

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: Joy and grief co-exist in Anthony Rapp’s moving ‘Without You’

Posted on April 12, 2024 by The Sleepless Critic

Author Nancy Berns once reflected, ‘There is freedom in knowing you can carry joy and grief together.’

Joy and grief coexist in Without You, a one man production performed by award-winning actor and singer Anthony Rapp. Known for his performance in the Pulitzer prize-winning musical Rent, Rapp weaves together a deeply personal portrait of the story behind the hit musical, his experiences as an actor, and the love and losses in his life. Featuring a mix of original music and beloved songs from Rent and based on Rapp’s 2006 memoir Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss and the Musical Rent, Without You is a moving production for those who have seen Rent, but it is not necessary to see Rent in order to appreciate this production. It might encourage you to see it for the first time or revisit it after the production is over.

Seasons of Love

Directed conscientiously by Stephen Maler with insightful Music Direction by Daniel A. Weiss, ATG Colonial presents Anthony Rapp’s one man musical show Without You live and in person at the Calderwood Pavilion in Boston, Massachusetts through Sunday, April 14 and is also touring. This production is 90 without an intermission. Click here for more information and for tickets and here for the production’s tour schedule.

Anthony Rapp’s ‘Without You’ Photo by Russ Rowland

Rapp is contemplative of what he has been through privately and professionally with a variety of personal nuances to make it his own. With authentic scrapbook style flair by light and scene designer Eric Southern, a projected brick wall boasts a variety of Rapp’s taped newspaper clippings, vintage playbills, and weathered New York City landmark photographs, Rapp’s apartment, and even an touching handwritten note. The resplendent multicolor lighting and ambiance seem inspired by Rent itself. The production has a casual 90’s vibe with Rapp in a flannel shirt and sneakers by Angela Vesco and Rapp sets his own props during the production.

Having had phenomenal success as an acclaimed hit musical in the 90s that became one of the longest running shows on Broadway and gone one to be performed around the world as well as a film adaptation of the same name that also starred Anthony Rapp in 2005, it is amazing to think that Rent is closing in on its 30^th anniversary since Rapp’s first Rent audition. Rent is a daring, joyous, raw, and poignant musical about a group of 20-somethings living in New York City. It explores love, loss, hardships, dreams and realizations all while this group struggles to make the rent.

Anthony Rapp is speaking from personal experience as a struggling actor in New York City who worked at Starbucks to make ends meet as he embarked on auditions. Rapp’s mother encouraged his singing more than his acting recalling Rapp’s childhood roles as Snoopy and Oliver. With an innovative onstage band, Rapp tells an engaging and inspiring account recalling the invaluable friendships he made along the way including a beautiful event called the Peasant Feast. Rapp sings Seasons of Love wistfully, talks of his affinity for La Vie Bohème, hopeful Another Day, and a sweet rendition of Without You as well as the endearing original Carry Me Home, and the darkly quirky Wild Bill.

Having lost my father recently, Without You genuinely captures the sting and elusive solace of grief while Rapp immerses himself in mimicking the voice and mannerisms of each significant character in his heartfelt story including his mother, Rent creator Jonathan Larson and music director Michael Greif. Rapp’s warm, humorous, and spirited inflections were especially memorable in a stunning moment with Cy coaxing Rapp that the only way out is through.