Some standout performances highlight The Muny's uneven “Rent”

By Joanne Fistere

The rock musical “Rent”, with music, lyrics, and book by Jonathon Larson, opened on Broadway in 1996 winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Musical. Loosely based on Puccini’s opera “La Bohème”, it tells the story of a group of struggling young artists trying to survive and create a life in Lower Manhattan's East Village in the heyday of bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

The complex couplings in “Rent” are what make it beautifully human and relatable. Roommates Mark and Roger capture all the nuances of impoverished artists plodding along hoping for their big break. New loves Tom and Angel stunningly depict romance at first sight and the ultimate heartbreak of loss. The angst-ridden pair of Joanne and Maureen are written with every marital spat in mind. And the “come here, come here, go away, go away” push/pull of Roger and Mimi is eye-rollingly picture perfect. Well deserving of all the awards, “Rent” is a brilliantly written story. When these couples are cast with charismatic players the result can be an off the charts theatrical event.

Unfortunately, the cast of The Muny’s debut production of “Rent” doesn’t quite rise to that level. There are some standouts however: Lindsay Heather Pearce and Anastacia McCleskey are excellent as Maureen and Joanne and their friction and passion are convincing. Evan Tyrone Martin and Adrian Villegas are especially endearing as Tom and Angel and they make us all fall in love a little bit too. Sadly, Lincoln Clauss as Mark is not compelling enough to be our narrator; Vincent Kempski and Ashley De La Rosa as Roger and Mimi come across as annoying more than flirtatious; and Clauss and Kempski never really have any sort of roommate connection to speak of, until they are joined with Martin as Tom Collins.

Some stellar voices show off the award-winning score. Kempski’s version of “One Song Glory” is a rock n roll anthem worthy of Bruce Springsteen. Martin’s vocals in “Santa Fe” and “I’ll Cover You” are buttery smooth. Pearce is Joan Jett, Carla Gugino, and standup comic all rolled into one in “Over the Moon”.

As always top-notch design features abound. Arnel Sancianco’s sets serve the production well using the turntable efficiently depicting the interior of Mark and Roger’s down-and-out flat nicely on one side and the exteriors of Alphabet City on the other. Heather Gilbert’s lights also lend a sense of despair and poverty to the landscape. For the most part, the projections by video designer Paul Deziel enhance the show until the musical number “What You Own” in act two when they somehow take over and become something out of a country western song with a giant American flag waving in the sky that completely distracts from the tone of the scene.

The entire company singing “La Vie Boheme” in the Chinese restaurant at the end of act one with choreographed cups is a definite highlight. That and the opening of act two with the ensemble singing “Seasons Of Love” are both worth the price of admission. Although it might not be a GREAT version of “Rent” it is still “Rent” after all. And if you are a fan of this particular rock musical you will enjoy it.

“Rent” at the Muny runs through August 10th. For tickets and information go the Muny website.