RENT 11/21 8PM

[steven22]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 9:09am

I was a big big fan of the broadway production and practically knew every lyric, movement, and piece of the show. I was especially attached to the cast members of the broadway production (Karmine Alers, Matt Caplan, etc.). I always loved their interpretations of the roles. Always loved the original broadway set and the simplicity of it.

I went into this new off broadway production wanting to hate it. I walked into the theater (on a side note, I love New World Stages) and said to my friend, "What is this set?, it looks terrible." The show started. Matt and Adam came on and immediately after the first few songs I was in awe.

Matt Shingledecker- This guy plays such a layered Roger. His character isn't just angry or upset. Definitely a quality actor and vocalist. He was by far one of my favorites. On a side note, he totally screwed up a line during La Vie Boheme about Mark's inability to...on the high holy days. Matt and Adam couldn't stop laughing. Doubt anyone else noticed it though. His One Song Glory was fierce! Matt should have a nice future ahead after Rent.

Adam Chanler-Berat-I really loved him in NEXT TO NORMAL. At the beginning I didn't like his interpretation of Mark, BUT as the show progressed he grew on me. He had great chemistry with the rest of the cast. Would love to see him transfer with Peter and the Starcatcher.

Morgan Weed- She was on as Maureen. Originally I was upset that Annaleigh Ashford was out, BUT the moment Morgan opened her mouth I forgot that she was an understudy. What a set of pipes she has. She added a lot of little nuances to the role which I loved. One of the stand-outs for sure.

Ben Thompson- He was on for Collins. At first I was thinking, a white Collins? BUT he really did a phenomenal job. What a voice. And his chemistry with Angel with amazing.

MJ Rodriguez- His Angel was great. I was disappointed to see that they don't have Angel hit the empty can during Today 4 U, they have ensembles members do it up higher on the set.

Arianda Fernandez- By far my favorite performer. What a steller voice. Very raspy, but very deep and a great belt. Her Out Tonight and Ligt My Candle were amazing. She looks the role and is close enough to the age where her acting choices worked completely. She had great chemistry with Matt as Roger.

Corbin Reid- I heard great things about her as Joann. I really wanted to like her. There's nothing really wrong BUT i feel she wasn't giving it her all. Maybe it was an off night, BUT it seemed like she was holding back. She had a few great moments during Take Me or Leave Me though.

The rest of the cast was great. The ensembles really does a great job of holding the show together. Shout out to Marcus Paul James who rocks whenever he opens his mouth (loved him in the broadway version as well and in In The Heights). Also, to the SEASONS soloist. I don't remember her name but she was great. And lastly, to Tracy McDowell who was covering Morgan's track as Mark's Mom, etc.

The set. The first thing I could say was RENT clashed with NEXT TO NORMAL. Surely enough, Mark Wedeland designed the set for this production of RENT and the broadway production of NEXT TO NORMAL. I really liked how the set was used. Loved Out Tonight. I thought I would miss the railing and steps from the broadway production but it was fine.

Finally, this show is refreshed and slightly re-imagined. The cast is on fire and I hope it continues so more people can experience RENT again.

[Patronus]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 9:23am

I was especially attached to the cast members of the broadway production (Karmine Alers, Matt Caplan, etc.)

That line made me very, very sad.

[steven22]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 9:37am

I know a lot of people disliked Matt and Karmine but I thought they were great back in the day (when they started in RENT)

[LayerBoy4]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 10:53am

Lovely review! Glad to hear they gave you a solid show last night. I've been back a few times and I find, as is to be expected getting paid what they do, that the show has its on and off days. Good to hear that the understudies were solid though, and that the production was able to bring you onto its side. Good stuff!

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 11:02am

Tamika Sonja Lawrence is the Seasons of Love soloist. I love how she does that thing with her voice on the word "how" when she is singing "how do you measure the life..."

[paphillyguy]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 11:11am

I saw this 2 weeks ago. I am a huge fan of the show. I found the performance I saw to be good but not up to the caliber of the broadway version. I thought all in all the cast was good. The only understudy we had was Morgan for Annaleigh (has she been out a lot?). I really thought MJ Rodiquez was excellent as Angel. I did not care for Matt Shingledecker or Arianda. I found them to be boring and really not giving it their all. I loved the new staging for Contact, I thought it was a big improvement.

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 11:21am

My understanding is that Annaleigh has been out due to filming something. I think she is back this week. I have heard a lot of people say they don't care for Arianda. I really like her Mimi. She looks more like what I think Mimi looks like in my mind and I have seen 2 people play the part in the past. I really enjoy her "Without You" and that moment when The Man dangles the drugs in front of her and she goes to grab it.

[Zinone]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 11:32am

Matt Shingledecker messed up Light My Candle when I saw it earlier this month, leaving the understudy Mimi to pick up the song at "Bah humbug", which came out of nowhere.

Again, he just laughed... professional. As I said at the time, Off-Off-Broadway beckons.

Updated On: 11/22/11 at 11:32 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 11:36am

I have seen lines flubbed in a number of shows on and off-Broadway. It happens.

[steven22]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 12:07pm

Papphillyguy,

Did you like Morgan as Maureen?

[paphillyguy]

Posted: 11/22/11 at 1:52pm

I did I thought she was great. I really wanted to see annaleigh but I was not disappointed by Morgan thought she was great and had great energy. I liked Corbin and thought she was great but I too felt she was holding back maybe just a choice she is making.