A Broadway favorite landed in Syracuse as ‘Rent’ opened at Syracuse Stage Tuesday night. With millions of fans worldwide, a feature film and a score that anyone not living under a rock can recognize, ‘Rent’ seems like the perfect choice to light up the John D. Archbold Theatre for Syracuse Stage’s spring 2011 opener. The show plays until Feb. 13.

With such popular and idolized roles comes the chance of a lifetime for an actor to perform the words and lyrics of a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright. Many of the performances soared high into the balcony, but others fell into the orchestra.

The aesthetic elements of Syracuse Stage’s ‘Rent,’ including scenic and costume design, crafted by Troy Hourie and Jessica Ford, respectively, are what truly brought the tragic and enlightening story to life. The set, which remained the same throughout the entire show, appeared so convincing that it almost felt like a documentary recording a real apartment in shambles. The costumes for every performer onstage, primary and secondary, were meticulously thought out and put together, and each outfit made a different statement.

 ‘Rent’ debuted off-Broadway on Jan. 25, 1996, at the New York Theatre Workshop before moving to Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre, which is now synonymous with the hugely successful rock musical. The show won four Tony Awards in 1996, including Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical for Jonathan Larson, the musical’s fearless and innovative creator. In 2005, a feature film version of the Broadway musical, directed by Chris Columbus, was released to theaters worldwide, resulting in largely positive reviews.

Jonathan Larson conceived the original idea of ‘Rent,’ wrote the script, and composed the music and lyrics. The musical started as an interpretation of Giacomo Puccini’s opera ‘La Bohème,’ which Larson transformed into a commentary on the issues of a marginalized community. The musical’s storyline of near poverty and struggles in coping with AIDS were inspired by his friends’ real-life conflicts. Sadly, Larson did not live long enough to see his prized and enormously praised work come to fruition. He died the day ‘Rent’ was set to go into its Broadway previews.

It’s an honor that Syracuse Stage had the rare opportunity to produce ‘Rent’ with many stages around the nation vying to put on this groundbreaking show. ‘Rent’ features both professional actors and students from Syracuse University’s drama department in a co-production. It was directed and choreographed by SU associate drama professor Anthony Salatino. The vision Salatino had for the production was clear: He wanted the audience members to feel as though they were sitting one-on-one with each character to gain insight into his or her personal struggle, which Salatino greatly succeeded in executing. His intentions for each character conveyed the ideas of unity and perseverance that the musical aims to instill in its audience.

One of the most creative and inspiring performances came from Broadway-credited actress Hannah Shankman. She played the wild, free-spirited lesbian Maureen, whose activism is both endearing and consequential. Shankman presented a mature poise onstage and, although absent for most of the first act, stole the show and tore the house down with a challenging musical theatre favorite, ‘Over The Moon.’ The song, which is actually a monologue with added vocals, requires intense acting and singing ability, as well as dramatic and comedic timing — all of which Shankman displayed. When she wasn’t present, her presence was desired, and when she did appear, she poured her soul into every inflection and trait of her character.

Jose Sepulveda, another professional actor, brought a fresh burst of energy to the beloved and eyebrow-raising Angel, a transvestite who acts as the glue that brings the entire group together. While it’s easy to go completely over-the-top with this character, Sepulveda added a great amount of gentleness to the role, which added a more realistic dimension to Angel and made him/her more relatable to the audience.

Other notable professional performances included Rashidra Scott as Joanna, Maureen’s girlfriend. Scott moved the audience to tears with a special solo in the musical’s famous number ‘Seasons of Love.’ Jordan Barbour as Tom Collins, Angel’s lover and confidant to main characters Mark and Roger, and Ken Clark as Roger were also actors who pulled off their characters with believability.

The performance also featured 11 SU drama students as various ensemble characters. Surprisingly, the students outshined most of the main cast of seasoned professionals with consistently hilarious and believable cameos that tied the show together.

Some of the more disappointing performances included Jené Hernandez as Mimi, a tragic yet lovable dancer and drug addict. The performance unfortunately fell flat for a majority of the show. While her presence onstage was noticeable, the performers who were fully immersed in their characters’ lives overshadowed Hernandez. Stanley Bahorek, as unsuccessful documentary filmmaker Mark Cohen, had some moments during which he clicked with the cool and geeky nature of his character, whereas other moments came off as corny or forced.

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Published on January 18, 2011 at 12:00 pm

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