Reviews

The headline tour of “Rent” has finally arrived at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton.The much-anticipated tour, featuring three of the original Broadway cast members including the two lead roles of Roger (Adam Pascal) and Mark (Anthony Rapp), did not disappoint on Tuesday’s opening night.

The show, a brilliantly conceived update of Puccini’s opera La Boheme by the late Jonathan Larson, won several awards including a Tony and a Pulitzer Prize. The story centers on a group of young artists in the East Village in New York. Roger, a musician, has been struggling to cope with an AIDS diagnosis and the suicide of his girlfriend. His roommate, Mark, a filmmaker, narrates and ties the story together. Collins is a philosopher who falls in love with the gentle drag queen, Angel. Maureen, Mark’s former lover, stages a performance in protest of the clearing of a tent city filled with homeless people. Her new love is Joanne, a lawyer who is tired of putting up with Maureen’s drama. The “enemy of Avenue A” is Benny, a former member of this eclectic group of artists. It is he who tries to force Mark and Roger into stopping Maureen’s protest with threats of eviction, turning off their power and locking them out of the building.

Add to this the young girl from downstairs who is struggling to overcome a heroin addition, the scourge of AIDS in the 1980s and the loss of a generation of artists and you have the tragic and beautiful story of “Rent.”

The music in the show is as raw and beautiful as the storyline. A talented ensemble of musicians led by conductor David Truskinoff in the onstage “pit” is tight and powerful.

The cast, led by Pascal and Rapp, is also tight.

Anthony Rapp (Mark), who has performed on Broadway in several shows, in film and on television, is getting close to double the age of his character. You’d never guess it from his performance. Rapp’s voice continues to improve. His sound remains pure, with incredible strength. His training allows for spectacular vocal feats. But it is his energy and sincerity that truly makes this a standout performance. While he was obviously having fun onstage in songs such as “Tango Maureen,” his portrayal (which he originated with Jonathan Larson) completely embodies the spirit of the piece. His Mark is the real thing.

Regardless of any other reason, do not miss this man’s performance.

Bringing Roger back to life is Adam Pascal, who was singing in a rock band when he auditioned for the workshop of “Rent.” While his voice is a bit rougher, adding an edge to the character, the veracity of the work is still there. In fact, Pascal still cries onstage, almost choking out the lines at the most tragic moments. “Glory,” the tragic and wonderful epitaph for both Roger and his creator, Larson, was delivered with the same passion as years before when this writer first saw Pascal on Broadway in Elton John’s “Aida.”

The best moments of the show were when these two were onstage. The obvious love between them as actors and co-creators gave depth to their scenes, especially “What You Own.” The song was unbelievably powerful in both the acting and the vocals.

Another standout performer was Nicolette Hart as Maureen. She handled the taxing role better than most. She has developed a stronger sense of play compared to earlier in the tour. Hers is a definitive interpretation.

Justin Johnston is Angel, the role he played on Broadway in the closing cast. While his credits may not be as lengthy as some in the cast, he has no trouble balancing the work. Vocally, he runs the gamut from a stellar falsetto to a clean and lovely tenor. His Angel is the embodiment of love.

While Lexi Lawson had some slight vocal issues in the almost impossible “Out Tonight,” she was a rough-edged Mimi who could sing her way around the role. Her interpretation, looks and voice reminds one (without becoming a copy in any way) of the originator of the role and the obvious vision of the author/composer. She is one of the best Mimi’s to date.

Understudy Toby Blackwell stepped into the role of Tom Collins for the Appleton opening. His voice is rich. He did a fine job with the role.

No show is perfect. There were a couple of issues with the sound, the moment in “Light My Candle” when Mimi is displaying a certain body part was far overdone, and Haneefah Wood is showing some vocal fatigue in the role of Joanne.

Having seen this tour in Chicago several months ago, this writer can attest to the fact that the actors are still giving a fresh and present performance. There is no sense of “on the road.” For all the energy employed, this could be the very first leg of the tour.

Larson’s original vision cannot be more true to life. The music has power and potency (“La Vie Boheme” is beyond words — see it for one note that Rapp holds for an impossible length of time … then just sit back and let the cast carry you with them in this homage to the artist), and the storyline both onstage and behind the history of the show will break your heart.

This is a chance of a lifetime. There should never be an empty seat.

Read the full review at foxcitieshub.com.