#1
Posted: 9/26/08 at 2:16pm
I just got back from today's matinee. I also saw last night's show and I was really impressed! I wasn't expecting anyone to be able to pull this off, but lo and behold, Adelphi did!
Their interpretation of the play was refreshing and innovative. (Warning: SPOILERS AHEAD) Mark's camera is a live feed that it projected across the stage and on the walls. Other projections during Contact (phenomenal) and What You Own (a little cheesy for my taste) were used, as well.
The choreography for Tango: Maureen was astonishing. Mark and Joanne have their wrists in the tangled cables Joanne can't set up. Behind a sheet, we see a silhouette of Maureen acting as the puppeteer, jerking both her current and ex-lovers around.
Angel's death was fabulous as well. During the reprise of I'll Cover You, Angel lies dead on the stage. The cast goes to cover him with a blanket and the audience expects to see Angel's lifeless form underneath. Instead, the blanket lays flat on the ground, as Angel's disappeared.
Take Me or Leave Me was also imaginative. Maureen and Joanne have their spat as they get into bed, have a pillow fight and make up by the end of the song, jumping under the covers giggling as they say "Guess I'm leaving. I'm gone."
The ending was very well done, as well. As the finale is sun, a quilt comes down to cover the stage; each piece has the name of someone who died from AIDS, including all the characters in the show as well as Larson's friends (Gordon, Ally, Pam, Sue, etc.) along with their days of birth and death. Each character stood on their characters square to sing the final "No day but today." So moving!
Now, on to the cast.
Jim Kelly doesn't look like your typical Roger but his acting and singing were spot on. He is the quintessential Roger.
Joey Elrose's Mark was lovably quirky, yet he craftily managed to highlight Marks solitude even when on stage with others.
Katie Murphy as Mimi left much to be desired. She wasn't sexy or sultry. Her voice came in and out. She nailed the drug addict aspect but failed to deliver anything else. Her Out Tonight was more of a pathetic plea than a seduction.
Natalie Margiotta's Maureen was hysterical and her Over the Moon had me in stitches. She made it a very comical song, including accents and props.
Jennifer Susi was an amazing Joanne; I found her to be far better than Fredi Walker, herself. She has Joanne's austere confidence mixed with a sensitive soft side. Her voice was amazing, by far the best of the females. She blew her songs out of the water!
Chris Caron as Benny was a good choice, as well. Both his acting and singing were very smooth.
Ben Farha's Angel was incredible. His voice is deeper than it should be so the songs had to be changed up a bit, but it was fabulous! His death was poignant and wonderful. He really embodied the character.
Finally, Craig Fox as Collins stole the show. His rich voice captivated the audience and his acting was impeccable. His I'll Cover You Reprise had the entire theater in tears, and not just a wet eye. Nearly everyone was bawling. I've never cried so hard at RENT as I did when Craig sang that song. His Collins was lovable and compassionate and his performance was heart wrenching.
Over all, a fabulous job. The changes were clever and upheld the integrity of Larson’s original work. Stand outs in the cast were Craig Fox (Collins) and Jennifer Susi (Joanne). Congrats, guys! You did Jonathan proud!
Their interpretation of the play was refreshing and innovative. (Warning: SPOILERS AHEAD) Mark's camera is a live feed that it projected across the stage and on the walls. Other projections during Contact (phenomenal) and What You Own (a little cheesy for my taste) were used, as well.
The choreography for Tango: Maureen was astonishing. Mark and Joanne have their wrists in the tangled cables Joanne can't set up. Behind a sheet, we see a silhouette of Maureen acting as the puppeteer, jerking both her current and ex-lovers around.
Angel's death was fabulous as well. During the reprise of I'll Cover You, Angel lies dead on the stage. The cast goes to cover him with a blanket and the audience expects to see Angel's lifeless form underneath. Instead, the blanket lays flat on the ground, as Angel's disappeared.
Take Me or Leave Me was also imaginative. Maureen and Joanne have their spat as they get into bed, have a pillow fight and make up by the end of the song, jumping under the covers giggling as they say "Guess I'm leaving. I'm gone."
The ending was very well done, as well. As the finale is sun, a quilt comes down to cover the stage; each piece has the name of someone who died from AIDS, including all the characters in the show as well as Larson's friends (Gordon, Ally, Pam, Sue, etc.) along with their days of birth and death. Each character stood on their characters square to sing the final "No day but today." So moving!
Now, on to the cast.
Jim Kelly doesn't look like your typical Roger but his acting and singing were spot on. He is the quintessential Roger.
Joey Elrose's Mark was lovably quirky, yet he craftily managed to highlight Marks solitude even when on stage with others.
Katie Murphy as Mimi left much to be desired. She wasn't sexy or sultry. Her voice came in and out. She nailed the drug addict aspect but failed to deliver anything else. Her Out Tonight was more of a pathetic plea than a seduction.
Natalie Margiotta's Maureen was hysterical and her Over the Moon had me in stitches. She made it a very comical song, including accents and props.
Jennifer Susi was an amazing Joanne; I found her to be far better than Fredi Walker, herself. She has Joanne's austere confidence mixed with a sensitive soft side. Her voice was amazing, by far the best of the females. She blew her songs out of the water!
Chris Caron as Benny was a good choice, as well. Both his acting and singing were very smooth.
Ben Farha's Angel was incredible. His voice is deeper than it should be so the songs had to be changed up a bit, but it was fabulous! His death was poignant and wonderful. He really embodied the character.
Finally, Craig Fox as Collins stole the show. His rich voice captivated the audience and his acting was impeccable. His I'll Cover You Reprise had the entire theater in tears, and not just a wet eye. Nearly everyone was bawling. I've never cried so hard at RENT as I did when Craig sang that song. His Collins was lovable and compassionate and his performance was heart wrenching.
Over all, a fabulous job. The changes were clever and upheld the integrity of Larson’s original work. Stand outs in the cast were Craig Fox (Collins) and Jennifer Susi (Joanne). Congrats, guys! You did Jonathan proud!
Megan Mullally as Karen Walker on Will and Grace: "Tell me more. Tell me more. Like does he have a car?"
Updated On: 9/26/08 at 02:16 PM
Thanks so much for sharing.
