#1
Posted: 1/21/08 at 12:26am
So tonight I saw RENT for the very first time. I got tickets for free from VFR closing, and I was surprised to find out that the seat was in the orchestra, row O seat 14 specifically. I did not realize the prime location of the theater. For some reason, I thought that the Nederlander was much farther from Times Square than it is. Inside the theater, I was slightly disappointed by how run-down it is, but it ...almsot... fit the style of the show. The set was great; I love that's it's minimalistic nature (if that's a word?) allows the focus of the show to be put on the acting and singing. The only set aspect I did not like was all of the clothes from Christmas Bells through the end of the first act. The band was awesome, but it bothered me that David Truskinoff wore this bright blue shirt while the rest of the band was wearing black. His conducting was OK. I liked the "2, 3, 4" towards the beginning of the show, but other than that, he was highly uninteresting. Reviews of the major songs/performances (and possible spoilers?) to follow:
"Rent" - A great opening to the show. I like the fact that everyone is onstage to start out.
"One Song Glory" - So here's my chance to talk about Declan Bennett. My feelings for him were lukewarm. At times, I loved what he did, including during this song. But at other times, I didn't enjoy his performance. I thought it was funny when his accent would start to slip, and you could catch the British tone to his voice. There seemed to be a few problems with mic volume with him, as he was too quiet at some parts. Overall, he certainly was not bad, but he definitely does not seem like the best Roger ever.
"Light My Candle" - One of my personal favorite songs, I had no complaints, and it was great to see Tamyra as Mimi for the first time in the show.
"Today for You" - I don't know how Justin, or any of the other Angels for that matter can do it. But they do, and I am amazed and humored every time I hear this song. The same went for seeing it live.
"You'll See" - I am a tenor, so I am very partial to tenor songs, including this one. Nothing unexpecting, but still great.
"Tango: Maureen" - Kenna J. Ramsey is not a bad a Joanne, although there were a few times I did not like her inflection/delivery. Her dancing with Harley was amusing, though it can't beat the movie, which is understandable considering it's live theater.
"Out Tonight" - I was floored by Tamyra's performance of this. It was absolutely superb. Her riffs were spot on, and it was definitely the best version of it I've heard.
"Christmas Bells" - I've already expressed my dislike for the scenery addition here. This is certainly a busy scene, but it works well. Matt Caplan was hilarious during the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer part. I also got the part where Collins sees his old coat for the first time tonight. It just never clicked before.
"Over the Moon" - My friend told me the Nicolette is an amazing Maureen, so when I saw that the role was being covered by Karmine Alers tonight, I was slightly upset. But, when that girl came on for the first time, all of my doubts were completely shattered. Her performance was so hysterical, it had some of the actors laughing on stage. Also, when she did the "Moo with me!" line, the audience shouted immediately. Obviously most of them must have seen the show before. I am actually glad I saw Karmine instead of Nicolette. She was a stand out of the show.
"La Vie Boheme" - How could you hate this song? Mark's flop onto the table almost freaked me out, but Harley was great during this, as was everyone. A great closing number for the first act.
"Seasons of Love" - The solos were both original, creative, and well sung, though the female soloist did seem to crack on the one note. Still, they both deserve props for their vocals.
"Take Me or Leave" - Great, as expected. I'm almost getting tired now of saying how excellent everything was.
"I'll Cover You Reprise" - I think this song got the most applause, other than at the end of the show. For some reason, people love this. I don't quite understand it. I like the ending, and it is touching, but I don't consider it the best song in the show. But whatever, I guess I'm part of the minority for thinking so.
"Goodbye, Love" - It went quicker than I thought it would, but Tamyra was heart-wrenching and absolutely wonderful.
"What You Own" - This is my absolute favorite song in the show. Yet, somehow, it seemed new even though I've listened to it many times before. Harley and Declan's rendition was refreshing, and very well sung.
"Finale" - I thought it was funny they only have one video, so Nicolette who was not in the show was still in the video. A minor detail, but other than that, the finale was a good uplifting end to an otherwise emotionally draining second act.
Curtain Call - I don't usually have much to say about this for most shows, but today I do. First, the fact that they went offstage, then came back on just seemed weird. Like they were faking us out. It kinda seemed dumb, but they did deserve the standing ovation. Secondly, Matt Caplan got a bow all by himself. He was the only one to get one. Why?! I undertand he was a lead in the show and came back, but that warrants a separate, special bow? That just seems strange to me.
Overall, the show was great, and I would definitely love to see it again, although I'm sure that won't happen since it's closing this summer. The show will be missed, and it truly is an excellent piece of contemporary theater, no matter what people say.
"Rent" - A great opening to the show. I like the fact that everyone is onstage to start out.
"One Song Glory" - So here's my chance to talk about Declan Bennett. My feelings for him were lukewarm. At times, I loved what he did, including during this song. But at other times, I didn't enjoy his performance. I thought it was funny when his accent would start to slip, and you could catch the British tone to his voice. There seemed to be a few problems with mic volume with him, as he was too quiet at some parts. Overall, he certainly was not bad, but he definitely does not seem like the best Roger ever.
"Light My Candle" - One of my personal favorite songs, I had no complaints, and it was great to see Tamyra as Mimi for the first time in the show.
"Today for You" - I don't know how Justin, or any of the other Angels for that matter can do it. But they do, and I am amazed and humored every time I hear this song. The same went for seeing it live.
"You'll See" - I am a tenor, so I am very partial to tenor songs, including this one. Nothing unexpecting, but still great.
"Tango: Maureen" - Kenna J. Ramsey is not a bad a Joanne, although there were a few times I did not like her inflection/delivery. Her dancing with Harley was amusing, though it can't beat the movie, which is understandable considering it's live theater.
"Out Tonight" - I was floored by Tamyra's performance of this. It was absolutely superb. Her riffs were spot on, and it was definitely the best version of it I've heard.
"Christmas Bells" - I've already expressed my dislike for the scenery addition here. This is certainly a busy scene, but it works well. Matt Caplan was hilarious during the Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer part. I also got the part where Collins sees his old coat for the first time tonight. It just never clicked before.
"Over the Moon" - My friend told me the Nicolette is an amazing Maureen, so when I saw that the role was being covered by Karmine Alers tonight, I was slightly upset. But, when that girl came on for the first time, all of my doubts were completely shattered. Her performance was so hysterical, it had some of the actors laughing on stage. Also, when she did the "Moo with me!" line, the audience shouted immediately. Obviously most of them must have seen the show before. I am actually glad I saw Karmine instead of Nicolette. She was a stand out of the show.
"La Vie Boheme" - How could you hate this song? Mark's flop onto the table almost freaked me out, but Harley was great during this, as was everyone. A great closing number for the first act.
"Seasons of Love" - The solos were both original, creative, and well sung, though the female soloist did seem to crack on the one note. Still, they both deserve props for their vocals.
"Take Me or Leave" - Great, as expected. I'm almost getting tired now of saying how excellent everything was.
"I'll Cover You Reprise" - I think this song got the most applause, other than at the end of the show. For some reason, people love this. I don't quite understand it. I like the ending, and it is touching, but I don't consider it the best song in the show. But whatever, I guess I'm part of the minority for thinking so.
"Goodbye, Love" - It went quicker than I thought it would, but Tamyra was heart-wrenching and absolutely wonderful.
"What You Own" - This is my absolute favorite song in the show. Yet, somehow, it seemed new even though I've listened to it many times before. Harley and Declan's rendition was refreshing, and very well sung.
"Finale" - I thought it was funny they only have one video, so Nicolette who was not in the show was still in the video. A minor detail, but other than that, the finale was a good uplifting end to an otherwise emotionally draining second act.
Curtain Call - I don't usually have much to say about this for most shows, but today I do. First, the fact that they went offstage, then came back on just seemed weird. Like they were faking us out. It kinda seemed dumb, but they did deserve the standing ovation. Secondly, Matt Caplan got a bow all by himself. He was the only one to get one. Why?! I undertand he was a lead in the show and came back, but that warrants a separate, special bow? That just seems strange to me.
Overall, the show was great, and I would definitely love to see it again, although I'm sure that won't happen since it's closing this summer. The show will be missed, and it truly is an excellent piece of contemporary theater, no matter what people say.
