My Review: Rent at Playhouse 22

I have always been a fan of the Broadway show, Rent. I was one of those kids who had the soundtrack (on cassette!) and listened to it so many times I could recite the musical by heart.

When I heard a local theater company, Playhouse 22,  was putting on their own production for the low cost of $22, I knew I had to check it out. I must say…I was blown away! The performance was incredible and if I had time I would want to go see it again.

If you’re unfamiliar with the show, it is a very heavy production dealing with AIDS , drugs and poverty. It centers around struggling filmmaker Mark and his depressed musician roommate Roger whose lives drastically change on Christmas Eve, when new friendships and relationships are formed.

One of the issues with the show itself is that it’s really hard to relate to the characters, and a lot of them are unlikeable. What was great about this production was I felt like the show was relatable, and characters which I disliked in other productions of the show I saw a different side of.

Michael Drake made the character of Mark his own. Mark was happy, Mark smiled, Mark loved to be around his friends. He wasn’t an angsty, whiney, or a tortured artist like I’ve seen him portrayed on Broadway. Since Mark is the story teller of the show he NEEDS to be likeable. He needs to make his friends likeable so we care about them when they’re sad, poor and dying. Mission accomplished!

Here are some  my favorite highlights:

– Michael Drake as Mark and Samantha Chase Kesterbaum as Joanne doing the “Tango Maureen”
– Melissa Javorek as Maureen singing “Over the Moon”. Her vocals were amazing and she was hilarious.
– The entire cast singing “La Vie Boheme”.
– “Seasons of Love” , especially lead vocalist Jessica Zorn. Her vocals were insane!
–  “I’ll Cover You”, sung Darius Delk. The most emotional scene of the show, made more emotional by Delk’s heartfelt singing.
– “Without You” sung by Mariella Klinger as Mimi and Steven Leshchanka as Roger. Incredible vocals!

Although every actor was incredible I also want to single out Jose Arroyo who was born to play the character of Angel. If Rent ever returned to Broadway I would love to see him cast.

Only a few more chances to see the show! Only playing until next Sunday, May 19th. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 3pm

To get tickets to see Rent click here

General Information

Located in the new East Brunswick Community Arts Center, Playhouse 22 and the East Brunswick Community Players present quality shows — both classic and new — for the residents and visitors of Middlesex County. Playhouse 22 is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization run by volunteers.

Address: 721 Cranbury Rd, East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Phone: (732) 254-3939
Email: info@playhouse22.org.

Click here to view their upcoming schedule
Like them on facebook and follow them on twitter @playhouse22