I set out to see RENT School Edition on opening night, Fri. 7/23, and brought along high expectations of Near West Theatre (NWT), Cleveland’s intergenerational, grass-roots theatre on the near west side, based on previous viewing experiences. NWT’s RENT School Edition has six more shows, from Fri. Thurs-Sat., 7/29 – 7/31, and Fri.-Sun., 8/6 – 8/8. Curtain times on Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays are at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm.
Being a “RENT” virgin, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I climbed the stairs of Saint Patrick’s Club Building in Cleveland’s Ohio City neighborhood to watch RENT School Edition. My previous experience with RENT involves nearly every musician friend I’ve ever known talking about it incessantly, especially in high school, and memories of the song Seasons of Love, which was our senior song at my High School pop show. I had an idea about the themes the show dealt with, but for all intents and purposes, this production would be my real introduction.
Walking in to the theatre, I was first drawn in by the design of the room. Instead of a traditional set, the theatre is currently laid out in the round, featuring four locations in the corners and a large main stage in the center to give home to the action. I also noticed upon sitting down a number of televisions with glowing screens around the room and a very tall balcony set with an elaborate staircase. The room was buzzing with opening night energy, when NWT’s Executive Director Stephanie-Morrison Hrbek took the stage to give her opening speech.
When the lights went down and the stage lights came up on a young man in a winter beanie, scarf and sweatshirt, I was immediately struck by the actor’s dedication, as it was one of the hottest days we’ve had this summer. He turned on a video camera and started narrating his world, and to my surprise and delight, the televisions around the set sprung to life with the moving images captured in real time. As the scene progressed into a full company performance of the title song RENT, the moment was overwhelming. I felt the tightness in my throat that comes before a few tears while watching these young people approach the number with a commitment that transported the audience out of Cleveland in July into the East Village in December.
For me, there was one performance in the show that stood out from the many other wonderful performances. In the first act we are introduced to Roger Davis, a young man who has recently learned that he has HIV, as many of the characters in the show do. Luke Wehner, the actor behind the character, stands and sings “One Song Glory.” At that moment, as a reviewer, a theatre-goer and a human being, I was blown away. I was no longer watching a youth production. Instead, I was watching a young man struggling with issues of life and death, trying to make his mark on his world, and I was listening to one of the most beautiful male voices I have ever heard. Every time Roger sang, I was hoping the song would last longer, that there would be just a few more verses to listen to. Wehner is a brilliant talent and I hope to see him on stage again soon.
From that moment on, time seemed to rush by as the audience followed the young members of the cast, ages 14 – 19, struggling for survival, love and more on the streets of a harsh, cold city. The actors were fantastic, starting with Clifton Holtznagel, who brought a lot of humor and a touch of slapstick to the narrator of the story, Mark Cohen. And then there was Angel. I was not prepared for a character like Angel, and Joseph Barbicas brought her to life in both a funny, but very tender characterization. Angel seems like an angel, an angel in a dark place in much need of light.
The leading ladies of this show also turned in stunning performances. Mariah Victoria Burks, who took on the role of Mimi, captured the audience with her gorgeous vocals in “Light my Candle,” and again when dressing provocatively in the number, “Out tonight.” Once she had us, she never let us go – we were glued to her throughout the action waiting to hear the outcome of her story. Anna Bradley, who played the electric Maureen Johnson, was one of the last main characters to be introduced. But, with her protest jumpsuit and her electric performance of “Over the Moon,” she will not soon be forgotten. She reminded me of so many charismatics that I’ve known; everyone wanted to be her or be with her – everyone.
One of the beautiful things about this performance is that every cast member deserves props. Ryan Thurman as Tom Collins, Sara Danielle Chapman as Joanne Jefferson, Roderick S. Cardwell II as Benjamin Coffin III and all of the other actors with speaking and singing roles are to be commended. Unlike many youth and/or community-based shows, even the smaller parts and singing solos were breathtaking. You could easily see how these actors who only had a few lines or a small shining moment could be leads of their own productions in the near future, and that comes from more than just talent. The direction of the show, and the learning environment created by Bob Navis Junior and the NWT staff can be credited with creating rising stars.
I don’t want to spoil the plot for potential audience members, so I won’t go into too much detail, but the production, design and direction of this show transforms it from a story to an experience. If this is to be your first time seeing RENT, do not be afraid of the “School Edition” title, and do not for a moment think that paying only $8 per ticket means a performance less spectacular than one you would see on many adult and professional stages. You still have six more opportunities to see this performance, and if I were you, I’d run out and get my tickets now. In fact, I think I will be ordering tickets for another performance – this was too good to only see it once.
I also recommend to potential audience members Near West Theatre’s Star Seat option. The Star Seat ticket enables audience members who can afford more to purchase a $20 ticket, which helps support the theatre and keep the cost of everyone else’s ticket to an affordable $8. This theatre is changing lives, and the Star Seats are a great way for everyone to get involved.
RENT School Edition has six more shows, from Thurs-Sat., 7/29 – 7/31, and Fri.-Sun., 8/6 – 8/8. Curtain times on Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays are at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3:00 pm. All offerings are at St. Patrick’s Club Building, located at W.38th and Bridge Avenue* in Ohio City and include free parking. Adult tickets are $8 and children, 12 & under, are $6. For more information, visit http://www.NearWestTheatre.org.
Julie Cajigas is a Cleveland girl who grew up on the East & West Side and now lives near Akron – she’s got the whole town covered! Cajigas holds degrees in Communication & Music from Cleveland State University and is currently pursuing her Masters in Communication at CSU.
She is a professional freelance writer who occasionally writes in her blog in between gigs at http://www.inspiredfreelancer.com. Cajigas is also an avid musician and can be seen performing with the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus and in other musical venues.