by Jules Becker
The Telegram/Gazette
April 13, 2001

It is hard to think of a recent musical that has done more to bring young people to theater than "Rent."

Focused on the lives, loves and concerns of young New Yorkers, the Tony Award-winning musical jumps with urban rhythms of fear and hope in a show that still pulsates with the energetic optimism of youth. If The Wang Theatre seems more suited to large-scale musicals, this third -- and best -- Boston visit by "Rent" more than compensates with knockout vocals and a finely harmonized ensemble.

The first tour, at The Shubert Theater five years ago, was affecting and tuneful, but not quite up to the hype that proclaimed the musical revolutionary and groundbreaking. The 1999 return was sharper in voice and performance, and made the show's singular notions of family and clarion call for understanding in the age of AIDS much more convincing. Now, the late Jonathan Larson's "La Boheme"-based musical proves that this tenancy has enough heart to burn the mortgage and establish ownership.

The solidarity of the show's tenants burned to a more intimate glow at the smaller Shubert. And newcomers to the heart-on-its-sleeve musical will be hard-pressed to experience the fullness of the characters' extended family ties from rear orchestra or balcony seats at the Wang. Nevertheless, the talented performers under Michael Grief's impassioned direction bring so much full-out singing and gusto to this odyssey of growth and caring that the intimacy and soulfulness somehow reach all the way to the back of the theater.

While earlier editions seemed to need either a little stronger singing (the first) or more finely realized acting (the second), this latest tour brings together a first-class group of actor-singers who clearly love the musical.

There are several standout performances here. Jeremy Kushnier belts out HIV-positive musician Roger's fiery spirit, especially on his signature "One-Song Glory," but also tenderly captures his deep angst about the drug addiction and vulnerability of his new love, Mimi. Dominique Roy smartly balances Mimi's sassy appeal on the flashy "Out Tonight" with remarkable thoughtfulness on the philosophical duet "Without You."

Shaun Earl, as the golden-hearted drag queen, Angel, and Mark Richard Ford as courageous HIV-positive philosophy teacher Tom Collins, bring great feeling to the couple's moving love duet, "I'll Cover You." Matt Caplan has the right edge as Roger's best friend and roommate, Mark. Also notable are Maggie Benjamin as strong-willed performance artist Maureen, and Jacqueline B. Arnold as plucky lesbian lawyer Joanne.

Puccini purists may dismiss the plot divergences of Larson's musical adaptation of "La Boheme" as watered-down opera. Desensitized detractors may point to the ensemble as disproportionately dominated by gays and people with HIV. Yet "Rent" boasts a score unashamed of its emotions and enough heart for a slew of musicals.