Rave Review for ‘Rent’ Performed by Marin Musical Theatre Company

Performances thru April 10, 2022

After having been away from theaters for two long, turbulent years, it was fantastic to be back in a red plush padded seat in a full house. And because we’re not quite out of the woods yet, I was reassured at having to present my vaccine card for checking at the door. Be sure to bring yours, or be ready to present a doctor’s note or rapid test if not boosted. Sorry, unvaccinated not admitted. 

And what better way to welcome us all back than a production of Rent, a story of diversity, non-conformity, drug dependency, tolerance, inability to pay said rent and above all love in all its many forms.

Rent is a fast paced, well choreographed production, moving quickly from scene to scene.

Centered around a Christmas celebration involving an unconventional group of musicians and outsiders, celebrating an unprecedented alchemy, whilst living in the shadow of AIDS in ‘80s New York, this story follows the highs and lows of the central characters.

I’ll admit I went into Rent having no idea what the story was about, and came out amazed that such dark subject matter could be translated into an engaging musical. (Let’s not mention ‘Diana the Musical’ or ‘Cats the Movie,’ save to say smooth passage not always guaranteed)!

Yet Rent managed to be sexy and raunchy too, we have same sex kissing, a bare ass, drinking, smoking and drug use. This is definitely not one for the kids. That said, this was predominantly great entertainment. I’m a sucker for oppositional, non conformist stories, and Rent delivered. Strong performances from all the central characters with standouts from Stephen Kanaski as Angel Schunard and Shayla Lawler as Maureen Johnson. 

Stephen Kanaski played his part as a visionary cross dressing, gay man way ahead of his time, with heart and verve. And Shayla Lawler’s rendition of ‘Over the Moon,’ was just so wonderfully, upliftingly BONKERS, she stepped into the part of an ’80’s rebel with real gusto and joie de vie. Anna Vorperian complemented her as her down to earth girlfriend, social justice attorney Joanne, with a touch of humor and lots of practical bossy confidence.

Gary Stanford Jr. as Angel’s lover, Tom Collins, an MIT lecturer with an anarchistic world view was fine voiced and proved a solid complement to Kanaski. Nelson Brown and Trixie Aballa as the star crossed, volatile lovers were bold, and intriguing to watch. And we all love to hate a neatly trimmed landlord in an orange puffa jacket - booooo!! Arup Chakrabarti played his role of Benny, friend turned capitalist enemy with understated strength. 

Jake Gale as Mark Cohen the narrator, documentary maker and people pleaser, always seeming to be trying to maintain the faltering friendship momentum, played his part with confident assurance too. And kudos to the ensemble players. All great supporting characters. Their costumes and hair took me straight back to ’80’s London where I spent my student years. 

The set was appropriately grungy, the girders a nice industrial touch. There were a couple of jump downs that made me worried for the actor’s knees. Hat tip to Stephen Kanaski for climbing the girders in high heeled boots, my heart quickened for a moment. And good on Shayla Lawler for going even higher in chunky boots, yikes! (Last time I tried doing that was back in the ’80’s too, and I met with limited success and a grazed face)!

And I haven’t mentioned the band yet either. Oh my - live on stage - right there. Impressive, faultless accompaniment, drums, guitar, keyboard.

Despite some imperfect vocal pitches here and there, (the story is raw after all), this is a mighty fun production, directed and performed with great passion, it emphasizes the importance and outreach of community theater. Clambering out of the pandemic, Rent emphasizes our flawed and imperfect natures, but is also a celebration and endorsement of freedom and diversity, and serves as a timely reminder of why it’s important to keep fighting for it. A worthwhile, much needed night out!

Review written by Hannah Yurke, March 31st, 2021