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Homosexuals and the homeless, AIDS and alcohol, drugs and drag queens — combine all that is socially taboo and you get something absolutely breathtaking: Rent, an electrically explosive play about friendship, love and life.
The Livingston Theatre Company, in its 12th season, presented Rent at the Crossroads Theatre in downtown New Brunswick. It ran from Nov. 5 to 8 with opening night completely sold out.
With its fist-pumping rebellious spirit, Rent challenged its audiences to re-evaluate prejudices and open their eyes to the shared human experience. At some points, it was absolutely shocking. The performers did things that left mouths agape in stunned surprise, since Rent involved some intimate caressing, dirty dancing and sexual innuendoes. Yet, the play was also deeply heartfelt. Its poignancy brought many of the audience members to tears.
Rent, a renowned Broadway masterpiece, chronicles the lives of poverty-line vagabonds on the streets of New York City. The musical begins on Christmas Eve, opening with Mark (Dave Destro), a freelance filmmaker, and his HIV-positive musician friend, Roger (Dave Seamon). Both grapple with heartbreak. Maureen (Annie Rutherford Lutz), Mark’s ex, recently dumped him for a woman, Joanne (Daphne Michelle Clark). Mimi (Sarah Esmi), an S&M dancer, becomes the new object of Roger’s affection. Meanwhile, Mark’s gay friend, Tom Collins (J. Aaron Boykin), starts a new relationship with a flamboyant cross-dresser Angel (Nick Cartusciello). Mark’s landlord Benny (Derrick L. Hicks) was a former friend who married for money and constantly demands rent from the loft-mates. Together, the friends endure harsh trials of love — forged and fallen. They are young men and women trying to find their place in the world — a story most Rutgers students can relate to. Rent’s liberality and rebellious spirit truly caters to the tastes of a college environment.
The complex roles of Rent calls for a multitalented cast — a challenge the Livingston Theatre Company matched with ease. The gifted performers danced, sang and acted with believable drama and angst.
The music, originally written by Jonathan Larson, was performed with a hauntingly sublime beauty. The cast delivered a tenderhearted rendition of the famous song “Seasons of Love.” A live pit orchestra played music from a dock behind stage, creating beautiful harmonies in a cacophonous world.
For rejoicing Broadway-fanatics, Rent is a true musical — hardly a word goes unsung. The Livingston Theatre Company delivered a poignant and unbelievably powerful performance. Rent, proving there is “no day but today,” is an experience that should not be missed.
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