‘RENT’ takes over Blumenthal Theater

CHARLOTTE — “RENT” premiered its 25th anniversary farewell tour at the Blumenthal’s Belk Theater this past week. I attended their Saturday night performance.

Jonathan Larson’s “RENT” won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and the show has performed on tours ever since. The musical tells the story of a group of friends and struggling artists as they battle the increasing rent and homelessness crisis and the AIDS epidemic in Alphabet City, a part of the Lower Manhattan East Village in New York City. The story shares universal themes of love, bravery, grief, and sexuality as characters grapple with adulthood.

Evan Ensign re-stages the direction. The original choreographer, Marlies Yearby, and costume designer, Angela Wendt, join the crew. The lighting design is done by Jonathan Spencer, sound design by Keith Caggiano, music by Dave Pepin, Owen Johnson assists with choreography, and Matthew E. Maraffi adapted the original scenic design. The farewell tour is produced by Work Light Productions.

Chris Montalvo plays Mark Cohen, Lexi Greene plays Maureen Johnson, Carlina Parker plays Mimi Marquez, Coleman Cummings plays Roger Davis, Shafiq Hicks plays Tom Collins, Jarred Bedgood plays Benjamin Coffin III, Rayla Garske plays Joanne Jefferson, Javon King plays Angel Schunard, and Analise Rios and Makenzie Rivera play the other minor speaking parts.

I thought the musical was very beautiful and well-done. This was my first time getting to see the musical in person, so seeing both the farewell tour and an original “RENT” production was a dream come true.

The stage design was beautiful; they really succeeded at maintaining the bare, industrial look of their apartments and Alphabet City. The lighting was also very poignant. The music and acting were amazing. They hit their high notes perfectly and were such great singers. I especially liked Montalvo, Greene, Marquez, and Hicks’s singing. They really helped bring their characters to life.

The sound design was also great, so no wonder the cast gave the crew a round of applause at the end. Everyone was deserving of their standing ovation and props to them for a successful tour!

I’m really glad I was able to see their farewell rendition, and they all did a great job! They truly delivered more than “one song glory” and reminded the audience to “remember the love” this holiday season.