A Review of tHE BROADWAY MUSICAL RENT

Editor's note: The long-running musical, Rent, is closing on September 7 of this year, after more than 12 years on Broadway. This rock musical, as well as its film version, has legions of fans, a large number of whom fell in love with it as teens. Check out this live show before it closes!

Set in New York's East Village, the musical Rent centers on a group of struggling artists, including roommates Mark and Roger, trying to survive and thrive artistically. The show begins with Mark, our narrator, filming Roger playing his guitar in the hopes of trying to find some inspiration for a documentary. Outside, their friend, former professor Tom Collins, comes for a visit, but is jumped by thugs before he makes it into the apartment. Luckily, Collins is found by Angel, a cross-dressing street drummer who comes to his rescue. Meanwhile, their former pal Benny, who married into money, has bought Mark and Roger's apartment building and the lot next door. He calls to break the news that he can no longer keep his promise to let them live in the apartment for free. We meet many other characters in this circle of friends, including neighbor Mimi, who has instant chemistry with the struggling musician Roger. Throughout the show, the clash between former friends, and new and old lovers sets in motion a year of discovery and growth for all of the characters as they deal with love, loss and AIDS.

In my opinion, the 2005 Movie of Rent didn't do it justice; many of the original songs from the musical were cut short, stripping away vital parts of the story. For those who enjoyed the movie, seeing it live beats the film any day-getting to feed off both the performers' and the crowd's energy and enthusiasm made the musical that much more enjoyable. The songs are catchy, with a mix of upbeat tempos and sad ballads, helping to pull the audience into the story, while understanding what each character is feeling at any given moment.

The outrageous costumes and funky hair styles onstage epitomize the free spirited, eclectic nature of those inhabiting the East Village in the 90s (and today!). The set initially looks as if trash has been piled up and forgotten, but on closer inspection, you see that it is giving homage to the former industrial, bohemian, messy East Village. For example, atop the pile of twisted metal and strung up Christmas lights on one side of the set, is the head of a female mannequin, decorating the metal sculpture as if it were the star on a Christmas tree. I highly recommend Rent to those who enjoy live music and dancing, but fair warning that it is sometimes difficult to understand all that is going on in the story without having some knowledge beforehand. Research aside, it is a captivating story that will have you humming the songs on the train ride home.

By the end, I had been put through an emotional rollercoaster with the rest of the audience; I felt as if we had bonded through the highs, and cried through the lows. We were all coming away from Rent having learned something new: Life is what you make of it, never live in your past but cherish the present, and look towards the future with hope in your heart, because there is "no day but today."

 

Rent by Jonathan Larson through June 1.o $20 lottery tickets two hours before performance. o Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41 St. www.siteforrent.com

 

A Review of tHE BROADWAY MUSICAL

 

BY Monikha Reyes, 9th grade
Halsey Junior High School

On a Friday in February the Play by Play writers all met each other for the first time when we headed over to watch the new Broadway musical In the Heights. The show follows the lives of four main characters: Usnavi, Benny, Vanessa and Nina, who are all just trying to make something of their lives. Usnavi owns the local bodega, and has a crush on Vanessa, who is trying hard to get away from the Washington Heights neighborhood. Nina has just returned from college and is trying to keep the fact that she dropped out a secret from everyone, including her parents. And Benny, a non-Hispanic, is just trying to fit in with the Latin community, while simultaneously winning Nina's heart. Family values and love seem to be most prominent in this beautifully unfolding tale.

I have been to Washington Heights many times in the past, so seeing it come to life on stage was almost like being there. If I wasn't already intrigued by what I saw, then what I heard-the music-definitely did the job. Latino flair mixed with rap and a little musical originality, the score made me want to get up and dance. The choreography is also well done, the dancers smoothly move across the stage. My favorite dance scene is with everyone in a club: The dancers move quickly without losing an ounce of elegance, then after a blackout, which leaves the stage in total darkness, the only source of light is... Well, you'll just have to see for yourself.

 

The acting is extraordinary, though I must admit at times the lines did seem a bit over-written, with some characters seeming to be just that: characters on a page. Still, the show is a clear success in my eyes. The story had me laughing, cheering, and at one point, misty-eyed. It brought out the true feeling of what it means to have immigrated to a new place with nothing, yet still to have built something.

If you're looking for a new musical that is full of originality, with music that leaves you wanting to buy the soundtrack, and characters you just fall in love with, I suggest you get over to In the Heights. You won't regret it!

 

In The Heights Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Book by Quiara Alegria Hudes o $26.50 lottery seats available, check website for times o Richard Rodgers Theatre. 226 W. 46 St. www.intheheights themusical.com