“Rent” AT Music Theatre of CT (MTC)
By Marlene S. Gaylinn
“Rent,” with book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, is about the 1980’s HIV/AIDS epidemic and how a group of jobless, talented, young folks lived rent-free, in the vacant, run-down buildings of Manhattan’s Greenwich Village.
In this show’s program notes, MTC’s Artistic Director, Kevin Connors ponders, “How do you document real life’s getting more like fiction each day?” He is of course, referring to the numerous epidemics for which science has found a means of control, and our government’s current funding restrictions.
Throughout this production, the audience feels seated inside a cold, vacant, dimly-lit loft as Director/Choreographer, Cliff McNiff, uses every nook and cranny of this small theatre to position his large cast.
Jacob Heimer as “Roger” and Gabriella Gomez as “Mimi” render a very tender “Light My Candle” scene, as “Rent” follows some of the same characters and elements of Puccini’s opera, “La Boheme.”
Cedric Leiba Jr., who appeared in MTC’s “La Cage,” gives a great performance as does Olivia Fenton who plays “Maureen.” A delightful tango is performed by Ladonna Burns and Joe Tolentino and David Wolfson directs Larson’s vibrant songs.
