Rachel Koetje
Western Herald
February 10, 1999

From the moment the stage lights drew on the single filmmaker at center stage, audience members were drawn into the world of a generation in the midst of chaos.

"Rent," which received all major theater awards in 1996, including Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for writer Jonathon Larson, is a riveting rock opera with a hip, '90s twist.

The show takes place in an industrial park apartment, furnished with only bare necessities where the subjects of the story learn about love, faith and trust in a world that gives nothing back.

The filmmaker, Mark, played by Peter Matthew Smith, and his roommate, Roger, played by Christian Mena, give an awe-inspiring performance from the first moment they wonder how they will pay the rent to landlord and ex-roommate Benjamin, played by Carl Thornton.

As more characters are added, such as transvestite Angel, played by Pierre Angelo Bayuga, exotic dancer Mimi, played by Julia Santana, and Monique Daniels as public interest lawyer Joanne, the stage explodes with talent and energy. Daniels gives a commanding performance in "La Vie Boheme," and Bayuga takes on the role of drag queen with great zest in "Today 4 U."

"Rent" delves into the world of these friends, with the addition of Cristina Fadale as performance artist Maureen and Dwayne Clark as computer-age philosopher Tom Collins, and explores the problems of AIDS and drug abuse in a sometimes uncaring age. Through humor and heartache, the characters unfold through the course of a year and the actors leave the audience with memories of love and friendship prevailing over life's worst dilemmas.

"Rent," inspired by Puccini's classic, "La Boheme," was written and composed by Jonathon Larson, who died unexpectedly hours after final dress rehearsal for the show. The world he created gives Puccini's story a hip, funky twist ... call it "La Boheme" with attitude, beautiful and talented actors and the ability to tango through the pain.

The music itself leads the story throughout, with a faultless performance by the band, directed by Robert Sprayberry. Emotional and stirring, the songs transcend boundaries of rock, blues, reggae and salsa to another level of Broadway, the level left off by shows such as "Hair" and "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Even the set, complete with catwalk, is an instant monument to what the show represents. The steel simplicity of Roger and Mark's apartment brings a larger-than life appeal, as does each character.

The costumes, designed by Angela Wendt, are phenomenally bright and demanding attention, from Angel's entry as a drag queen Santa Claus to Mimi's shiny, blue vinyl pants.

As Benjamin, the landlord, reminds the group of artists and philosophers that Bohemia is, indeed, dead, the cast reminds us all that just waking in the morning is another reason to live the life we're supposed to live. The angst of youth is captured brilliantly in each character's cry for love, freedom and the chance to do the things they wish before their time is over. The problems they face are undeniably real. The message they send is undeniably true. After all, everybody's got to pay their rent.