Original cast members of 'Rent' bring down the house at PPAC performance

12/01/09 - Four years ago I saw "Rent" for the first time, on film. I have probably seen it approximately 10 times on film since then, but on Nov. 20, I saw Rent live for the first time at the Providence Performing Arts Center and I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed the live performance more than any time I have watched it on film.As a film minor, I immediately searched for cuts and angles but quickly realized during my first live show since "Into The Woods," when I was in elementary school, that this was a completely different world-a more intimate world, one where the crowd could take part by clapping along during "Seasons of Love," and one where the audience could interact with the actors after the final scene.

This was not the film world at all. This was the world to which the play belonged to begin with, and the world in which it should have remained.

It asks you to make believe that Angel is in heaven, and that he has been laid to rest in a graveyard, even though the graveyard and coffin are never actually seen.

At twenty minutes to eight, the seats started filling and chatter began to fill the auditorium, before the lights dimmed at 8:05p.m. It was then that characters Mark Cohen (Anthony Rapp) and Roger Davis (Adam Pascal) entered the stage. The two actors were the only original members to appear on this tour, and their presence was welcomed immediately. Rapp seemed to take over the entire show with his narration and his outstanding vocals stole the show during "La Vie Boheme"-one of the most upbeat songs through the entire musical. Pascal of course, also commanded the stage during scenes with Mimi (Lexi Lawson).

Of course there will always be comparisons made to the original cast, as a majority of the original cast was seen and heard in the film. However, notable performances include Michael McElroy's performance as Tom Collins, Jacques C. Smith's performance as Benjamin Coffin III, and Nicolette Hart's performance as Maureen. Hart seemed to hit every note and offered comic relief to the show. Other cast members included Haneefah Wood as Joanne Jefferson and Justin Johnston as Angel Schunard.

Rent, which is about a group of artists in New York City who are homeless, touches on issues still as relevant today as when the musical first hit the stage several years ago. Some of these issues include the use of drugs, the spreading of AIDS, living in a homosexual community and dealing with the people at the top of the economic ladder, who are making life hell for those at bottom.

After the show concluded, Rapp as well as other cast members took the stage to discuss several ways to donate to a special cause. One of the auctions included bids to meet the cast backstage. The bidding began at $200 and reached $1,500 before Rapp asked the person with the second highest bid of $1,400 if they would be willing to increase their bid to match the $1,500. The bidder agreed, bringing the grand total to $3,000. Both groups then got to meet the cast backstage. The $1,400 bidder agreed.

Overall, "Rent" was inviting and enticing, and made a night in Providence more than enjoyable for the audience who gave the cast a standing ovation at the end.