By Kimberly Harper
“Rent” returns to PPAC this weekend for its 20th anniversary tour, and I just want to take a moment to reflect on the fact that something that was all the rage when I was in high school is now a “period piece.” It kind of has to be – thankfully, HIV isn’t the death sentence it was when Jonathan Larson started writing his modernization of the opera La Boheme in 1989. When it hit Broadway, it was a controversial, shocking piece of theater, and though we’ve gotten used to drag queens and gay sex on stage in the ensuing decades, “Rent” is still a moving show that can be enjoyed again and again.
This production is, to my recollection, almost a mirror image of the tour I saw in 2000. The stage is set the same, the band is right there next to the actors, and there isn’t a lot of “theater magic.” If an actor’s mic shifts, they adjust it. A large metal sculpture is, varyingly, a Christmas tree, church steeple, and other architecture. It makes it feel accessible, and brings an authentic energy to the show.
The anniversary tour may look like the original but the talented cast – and talent is a real understatement here, everyone has magnificent voices and acting skills – is not attempting to mimic the original Broadway cast. I was worried I was going to walk into a room of Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp wannabes, but not so. Each of the leads brings their own sound and character to their roles, making them their own. Danny Harris Kornfeld plays Mark, the friend who purposely keeps himself on the fringes of the group, being everyone and no one’s friend at the same time. His struggles throughout are made accessible by Kornfeld’s unassuming demeanor. Kaleb Wells (Roger) brings a certain extra grittiness to his character that wasn’t present in the original. He looks unwashed and angry, making it believable when he pushes the young and beautiful Mimi away over and over. Skyler Volpe as Mimi is incredible. Her power rock song “Out Tonight” is enhanced by some seriously impressive dance moves, making it one of the best numbers in the show. Katie Lamark and Jasmine Easler play the lesbian couple Maureen and Joanne, respectively, and their chemistry is great. Their Act 2 song “Take Me or Leave Me” is another show stopper. Lamark plays Maureen as adorable but self centered, a bad actress who has big ideas about what art is supposed to be, and Easler is there to try and ground her, but take no crap in the process. Easler is the stronger voice of the two, but Lamark is definitely a force to be reckoned with with her strong character choices.
However, the couple everyone roots for is always Angel and Collins, and actors David Merino and Aaron Harrington don’t disappoint. If there was a dry eye in the house during Act 2, which mostly deals with Angel’s declining health, I’d be amazed. Both actors are incredibly comfortable with some difficult material, and both have amazing voices. Harrington’s solo in Act 2, the “I’ll Cover You” reprise, is a piece of art unto itself.
Finally, there’s Benny. When you watch Rent as a teenager, you relate to the seven friends, who want to stick it to the man (that would be Benny here) and live for their art. When you watch it as an adult, you don’t’ quite understand all the hate Benny gets. Christian Thompson does a good job with what’s probably the most unrealistic role in the show. Come on, you offer your friends free rent – in Manhattan! – and all they have to do is ask their friend to not perform a crappy piece of performance art? Benny, you monster.
The ensemble is strong, the music is still beautiful, and the story is one that may be dated but still makes for an emotionally powerful evening. If you’ve got time this weekend, you won’t be disappointed.
Rent runs through April 9 at the Providence Performing Arts Center, 220 Weybosset St., Providence. Performances are Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 and 6:30 p.m. Tickets may be obtained online at ppacri.org or by calling 401-421-2997
