'Rent': The definitive run
MANILA, Philippines - After a staging exactly a year ago and a limited run in Rockwell Power Plant Cinema 2 last December, it seems that the Rent fever is alive and well, in fact keeps getting progressively stronger.
Due to public demand, 9 Works Theatrical restages its popular Rent production at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater in RCBC Plaza, Makati, with most of the cast reprising their roles. It runs all the way to March 6.
Last Jan. 31, a press conference was held in Borough, The Podium, the cast and crew in attendance. Presenting a preview of what was to come was director Robbie Guevara, who was responsible for the two previous successful productions.
The first to show off their talents were Jenny Villegas and Carla Guevara-Laforteza (who performed during Rent’s initial run) playing Joanne and Maureen as they sang Take Me Or Leave Me, an anthem of sorts for lovers’ spats. Following them were OJ Mariano (Tom Collins) and Job Bautista (Angel) with a sweet rendition of the duet I’ll Cover You.
Gian Magdangal, playing Roger, and real-life girlfriend Sheree Bautista, who played Mimi during the December run, performed Light My Candle. Newcomer Ciara Sotto, who is alternating in the role of Mimi, took her own turn to sing Another Day with Magdangal, and the rest of the cast joined in for the memorable “No day but today” chorus.
Each song number by the cast seemed effortless, their chemistry with each other palpable, even as they exhibited how easily they now slip into the shoes of their respective characters. As Guevara happily asserted, Rent is ultimately about family — a concept that the cast and crew have willingly imposed on themselves.
The cast is rounded out by Fredison Lo as Mark Cohen, with Peachy Atilano, Harold Cruz, Johann dela Fuente, Pam Imperial, Gary Junsay, Anna Santamaria, Alys Sardenia and Mark Tayag making up the ensemble. Mian Dimacali and Al Gatmaitan are also alternating as Maureen and Roger. There was nothing but smiles as group pictures were taken and interviews conducted.
The story of Rent is at least vaguely familiar to almost everyone by now: based loosely on the Puccini opera La Boheme and composed/written by Jonathan Larson, it is about a group of friends in New York who must figure out how to survive bohemian paths that stem from sheer artistry alone. What naturally serves as a muse, a drawback and a distraction is the romance blossoming among various members in the group. And to make things even more complicated, a number of them are afflicted with AIDS, and the clock is slowly but steadily ticking.
Guevara strongly expressed the notion that each production of Rent is meant to be different in terms of choreography, and it is recommended that the direction be original each time. Enthusiastically announcing that this version will be “newer, fresher and bolder,” he also took the time to address concerns about singing styles of actors that may not live up to long-time fans’ definition of the “rock opera.”
With a limited number of theater actors and actresses in the country, it is assuredly difficult to find those willing to even audition for difficult roles. However, with the help of vocal coaches, the performers have been guided in developing the proper voice for their respective characters. And judging from the preview performances that day, the cast definitely possesses the right amount of pizzazz needed to capture the grittiness of New York’s Rent-verse.
It isn’t often that a production is run three times within the span of one year, but after the press preview on Feb. 10, one can see why. Aside from the fact that with anything Rent-related comes its own built-in enthusiastic fan base, director Robbie Guevara seems to have hit his peak with the right amount of self-injected Rent-mania to put on a fulfilling and entertaining show.
But impeccable direction not withstanding, it seems a lot of this production’s success is owed to the actors themselves. By now, most of them are able to play their characters with controlled ease, but still manage to retain their spunk from previous runs. They make their dance moves and vocal gymnastics (and even actual gymnastics) look effortless, though everyone knows that is not the case at all, especially for AIDS-afflicted artists in New York.
Fredison Lo, Jenny Villegas, OJ Mariano and Job Bautista in particular have become Mark, Joanne, Collins and Angel, something that should be noted, considering that the characters themselves are somewhat underrated. Carla Guevara-Laforteza is quite possibly the coyest and zaniest Maureen you could meet, while Ciara Sotto’s Mimi made many snap to attention immediately.
The actor who has improved the most since the first run last year is Gian Magdangal, who has always had to shoulder the burden of portraying the complex character of Roger — who can be morose one second, joke around in the next, and then suddenly belt out rocker ballads.
The choreography is amped up to “11” for this run, with the best bits (particularly the absolute craziness of La Vie Boheme, a crowd favorite) brought back with new adjustments, plus many new surprises that could leave the faint of heart a-pole-d but mostly amazed. It is clear that with the promise of what will be the last Rent run for a while, 9 Works Theatrical has pulled out all the stops to make it truly memorable.
Be sure not to miss it. Rock fans, Broadway geeks and musical aficionados are welcome to join the masses of Rent-heads who continue invading the Carlos P. Romulo Theater in RCBC Plaza on weekends.
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Remaining show dates are Feb. 25, 26, 27 and March 4, 5 and 6. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with matinee showings at 3:30 p.m. on Saturdays and 4:30 p.m. on Sundays
For tickets, call 557-5860, 586-7105, 891-9999 (TicketWorld) or 0917-5545560, or visit www.9workstheatrical.com.
