Theater Review: How Rent Continues to Be Relevant in 2024
We watched and compared two sets of casts.
(SPOT.ph) It’s been 31 years since Rent started off-Broadway and 28 years since its Broadway debut. While the American audience has come a long way since—some may even dismiss the material as outdated—for the Philippines, it’s a different tune. We’re a little behind on progressive issues, so the battle songs of Rent need to be turned on at full volume. For 9 Works Theatrical’s 2024 adaptation, these issues are placed front and center.
Also read: Making Rent, the Musical, Relevant in 2024
What is Rent about?
Loosely based on the 1896 opera La bohème by Giacomo Puccini, Luigi Illica, and Giuseppe Giacosa, Rent is a rock musical by Jonathan Larson, who also wrote the autobiographical musical, tick, tick… BOOM!. Unfortunately, Larson died of undiagnosed Marfan syndrome on the morning of January 26, 1996, the first preview show of Rent. In this work, Larson tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive in Alphabet City, East Village, back in the days of the New York bohemian culture, under the shadow of the HIV/AIDS crisis.
Rent has won multiple awards, such as the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and is one of the longest-running shows on Broadway. It was made into a movie in 2005, and has been adapted around the world, including London’s West End and Manila in 1999 and 2001 (Atlantis Productions) and 2010-2011 (9 Works Theatrical).
Mix and Match of Cast Members
Just like their previous production, tick, tick… BOOM!, 9 Works Theatrical’s 2024 Rent cast is a mix and match—meaning there are two alternating actors for each main role (except for Anthony Rosaldo who is the sole actor playing Roger Davis), giving you different cast permutations per show, tempting fans to watch at least two to catch their idols and compare the dynamics.
We watched two versions—press preview night on April 18th, and another two weeks after opening night. We were relieved to see that most of the issues during the press preview were finally ironed out, including technical difficulties and the cast’s wardrobe.
Cast standouts include Reb Atadero as Mark Cohen, an aspiring filmmaker and Roger’s best friend. As expected, Atadero brings a comic and masterful touch to his character, while Ian Pangilinan gives a nerdier, geekier version—a la Clark Kent hiding behind his reporter glasses.
Rosaldo looks and sounds every bit the poster boy, making his character easy to like. As for Roger’s love interest Mimi Marquez, Thea Astley’s version is sweet and pleasant, but it was theater newcomer Molly Langley’s sultrier, cool-girl approach—and her stronger chemistry with Rosaldo—that pleasantly surprised us.
Jasmine Fitzgerald plays the magnetic, high-energy character of Maureen Johnson well, but we would have loved to see her alternate Justine Peña, who, as we heard from colleagues, steals the show with her rendition of “Over The Moon.” As for Joanne Jefferson, Maureen’s reason for breaking up with Mark, we’re torn between Fay Castro’s intimidating version and Mica Fajardo’s quirkier nuance. Either way, their “Tango” with Mark is one of the most hilarious numbers of the show.
Garrett Bolden plays Tom Collins, the computer genius, teacher, and anarchist. His jazzy, soulful, almost gospel-like singing stood out from the cast. And of course, how can we not talk about the loveable character of Angel Schunard, the street percussionist who falls in love with Collins? We enjoyed both Adrian Lindayag and Lance Reblando’s triple-threat performance as Angel, but it’s Reblando’s chemistry with Bolden that we ship more than Roger-Mimi.
Angel’s character was originally written to be a drag queen, but as Reblando revealed during a press interview, her artistic approach to Angel is trans. “It just wasn’t verbalized before, because in the ’90s there were trans women. But no one was straight-up saying, ‘I am a trans woman.’ So at least for me, that’s how I approached [Angel],” she said.
Markki Stroem, playing his dream role as the landlord Benny Coffin III, looks like he stepped out of an early ’90s GQ fashion spread. We almost couldn’t hate him as the villain. It’s too bad we missed one of the five shows (there are three left as of publishing) where he alternates as Tom Collins, while Guji Lorenzana, who mostly plays Mr. Johnson, alternates as Benny.
Keep an eye (and ear) out for the rest of the ensemble—Jordan Andrews as Gordono, Misha Fabian as Ally, Chesko Rodriguez and Paul Valdez as Steve, Kai Banson as Alexi Darling, Vyen Villanueva as Paul, and most notably Abi Sulit, who initially plays Pam and other swing roles but takes the spotlight with her powerful belting in “Seasons of Love.”
Rent 2024 in Manila: Review
As soon as we saw the multi-layered scaffolding set design and heard the first riff of Roger’s guitar, we knew we were in for a ride back in time. It was a treat to see the stage transformed into East Village’s gritty Alphabet City circa the early- to mid-90s, complemented by the cast’s throwback outfits.
But what pulsated more were the issues of that New York City era still ringing true today, especially with modern Manila—the HIV/AIDS stigma, drug abuse, poverty, corruption, and the struggles of the LGBTQIA community and creative misfits. For the Filipino audience members who weren’t born yet when Rent was first penned, you will relate to each character’s struggles—from the bohemians down to the “villain” that is Benny. Modern reviews of Benny say he isn’t even a villain at all.
Whether you’ve already heard “Seasons of Love” 525,600 times as a theater fan or you’re about to pop your Rent cherry, the story’s buildup leading to the ensemble performing that wildly popular song live onstage will still induce goosebumps.
And as you absorb the musical’s central messages about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today, you’ll realize that Rent still has a place in modern society.
Rent runs until June 2 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, 4/F RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Ticket prices range from P2,100 to P4,100, and are available through Ticket2Me and showbuyers.