Review: RENT THE BROADWAY TOUR at Providence Performing Arts Center, Through November 22

The audiences at Providence Performing Arts Center are certainly experiencing pure musical theatre joy.  Three of the original stars of the biggest Broadway musical of a generation are touring in the roles that made them famous.  Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal and Gwen Stewart are currently performing their respective breakout roles in the current Broadway Equity tour of Jonathan Larson’s RENT.

Every song, every scene and practically every move was eagerly anticipated by last night’s audience.  There is a whole new generation of Rent-heads who, obviously, relate to “being and us, for once, instead of a them”.  

It was thrilling to see Rapp take what may be a final turn as Mark Cohen and to hear Pascal sing ‘One Song Glory‘, live.  As for Ms. Stewart, well…first…shame on the producers for not putting her name above the title for this incarnation of Rent.  Anyone who has heard Stewart sing  on ‘Seasons of Love’ knows that she joins Rapp and Pascal as an equal on this tour.

Who wouldn’t want to be part of this group?   Justin Johnston is as dynamic an Angel as I have seen.

Jacques C. Smith nails the role of control freak, Joanne.  Nicolette Hart delivers the goods, and is worth the late entrance as Maureen.  The two women heat up ‘Take Me or Leave Me’.

As Tom Collins, Michael McElroy sang a show-stopping rendition of the reprise of ‘I’ll Cover You’.  In this production, the show could end with his final note.

Director Michael Greif  has made some subtle changes to the feel of this production.  The relationship between Tom Collins (Michael McElroy) and Angel (Justin Johnston) has always been romantic.  In this production, the sexual energy between the two is brought right to the surface.  This group of Alphabet City friends are a little more relaxed and enjoying life: Less martyrdom and more irreverence. Perhaps unintended, but inevitable, is that Roger’s relationship with Mimi (Lexi Lawson) has a hint of Henry Higgins and Eliza Dolittle to it. That is, of course, if Professor Higgins was an ex-junkie musician and Eliza was a pole-dancer.

RENT still suffers from the same structural problems that it had when it premiered on Broadway in 1996.  One imagines that if Jonathan Larson did not die tragically, that Act Two would be as tight as Act One is.   RENT still delivers the music and emotion.  The chance to see Rapp, Pascal and Stewart make this production irresistible.

RENT performs at the Providence Performing Arts Center through November 22, 2009.  Tickets can be purchased at the Box Office, located at 220 Weybosset St. in downtown Providence, RI or by calling calling (401) 421-ARTS or logging on to www.ppacri.org.

Buy One ticket and Get One ticket free discounts, along with a $20 ticket lottery are available.  Visit www.ppacri.org for more information.