RENT at Engeman Theater in Northport fantastic!!! See it!!

I wasn't sure if this was truly considered a Broadway topic since the show isn't on Bdway anymore, and I'm discussing a regional theater, but it didn't seem to fit in off topic either, so I'm putting it here.

I went to see RENT at the John Engeman Theater at Northport (in Long Island) last night, and it was FANTASTIC!!! I just wanted to urge any of you RENT fans who live locally to come see this production!!! The cast was fabulous (Mike Backes as Roger, Stanley Bahorek as Mark, Lakisha Anne Bowen as Mimi, Miles Johnson as Benny, Alan Mingo Jr. as Collins, Betsy Morgan as Maureen, Reymundo Santiago as Angel and Brit West as Joanne)

I was blown away by so many of the performances, and the directing and set were just unbelievable, and a true homage to the Broadway show. Alan Mingo was just incredible as Collins - I know he played the part on Bdway, and it showed. What a voice! And as much of an Idina Menzel fan that I am (and I am!!!), Betsy Morgan's Maureen outsang Idina a zillion times over!!! Holy crap - I couldn't believe the voice on that girl! Stanley Bahorek's Mark was spot on - he could have been Anthony Rapp - he was that good. He's only doing the part until 9/27, then Adam Hose takes over till they close on Nov 1.

Just a really great production - the whole cast was stellar. If you can, go see it!!

Updated On: 9/13/09 at 09:45 AM

Yes, it really was so amazing, wasn't it? I was a little nervous going in, being such a fan of the OBC, that it wouldn't live up to my love of the show, and just be a decent copy. I was so blown away - wow!!!

Oh, and if you go to the theater's website, they are doing a student rush ticket system, like they did for the Bdway show. 20 dollar tickets with a student id on a lottery system. Very cool!

I REALLY want to see this since I saw Mike Backes as Bob Gaudio and Stanley Bahorek as Leaf Coneybear... but it's not gonna happen.

I saw Alan Mingo as Collins about 10 years ago. Ha!

Glad this production sounds like a good one.

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That theater is quite nice and they usually do good work. I saw a great production of THE ODD COUPLE starring Michael McGrath there back in May.

Ok, so my thoughts...since one person who's not a shill for the show should say something.

It's a really, really, really well done production that probably exceeds Grief's staging in terms of believability and character intention. I also thought the strikingly realistic set helped clarify the material. It was the first time where I actually knew what was going on at all times.

yankeefan, what were some of the staging changes that you liked so much? Yes, I am living vicariously through you.

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You also JUST joined.

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Oh, I didn't know I wasn't supposed to post a review about a show I loved here if I just joined! Actually, I've been a frequent lurker here, and I was a member a few years back before my second child was born, but then we moved and got a new computer, and I never rejoined. But I just loved this show so much, and knew there were articles about the casting about this production on this site, so I figured the members of this board might be interested in coming to see this, since it's so close to the city, so I joined again. I hope I didn't offend anyone by posting today. I really just wanted to spread the word about a great production of RENT that is within a driving distance of NYC. Hope you get to see it.