Alexander Theatre
Book, Music And Lyrics: Jonathan Larson
Director: Anthony Rapp
Musical Director: Bryan Schimmel
Choreographer: Jill Somers
Sound Design: Mark Malherbe
Lighting designer: Alistair Kilbee
Cast: Duane Alexander, Shaun V, Aubrey Poo, Zane
Gillion, Thokozani Nzima, Talia Kodesh, Sivan Raphaely,
Ilse Klink and ensemble
Venue: Braamfontein's Alexander Theatre
Dates: Until end of October
Rating: ****
If anyone thought that with so many musicals staged all over (three huge productions in Gauteng alone, with more coming up), we would not have enough talent, go and check Rent.
You might recognise a few of the faces, but many of the cast are doing their first big musical roles.
To do that in a show as tough as Rent, musically and structurally, is quite a feat. To pull it off so sweetly and with such sass is quite extraordinary.
Director Anthony Rapp, the original Mark Cohen in the Broadway production, has worked hard to draw this show together. The talent is there and while this is a young cast, it's a brilliant move by producer, Hazel Feldman, to bring in someone who has lived the musical from the beginning.
If you're thinking of the movie, don't. The musical is a much tighter and in-your-face show as a group of young adults trying to get their lives on track - their way. "What's it about? Connection in an isolated world," say the lyrics of one of the most potent songs.
Benny is married to Alison Grey of Wesport, who helped him buy the building in which he lived together with Mark and Roger previously. He also used to date Mimi, who's fallen for Roger, while his ex-roommate, Tom Collins, lost his heart to the beautiful Angel, a vivacious drag queen with Aids. Maureen, Mark's ex, is now involved with Joanne, who becomes quite chummy with Mark. And, Benny wants to chuck them all out on the street.
But don't let the details confuse you. Based on Bizet's La Boheme, the story is about a group of diverse youngsters, re-presenting many of life's outcasts, trying to break out in New York - without selling out. "How life flies when compassion dies," says another devastating lyric.
The cast fare well and standout performances include Shaun V's Roger. His is a strong role which could make or break the show and, with a stunning voice, he pulls it off. No surprise that Duane Alexander is so polished as Mark Cohen. He had the master to teach him, but he still had to get on stage and do it solo. His performance feels as if it comes from the Broadway stage. Sivan Raphaely has attitude galore, and quite a voice, and she needs it to sing a duet with the sublime Ilse Klink. Aubrey Poo and Zane Gillion both have stunning moments with some extraordinary singing by Nobuntu Mpahlaza.
Packed with sturm and drang, it's nevertheless an exuberant musical with wonderful music and dense lyrics, but they grab the attention. One is tempted to return just to relive the glorious music.
Rent caused a huge stir in New York 10 years ago and it should do similar stuff here. It's young and vibrant, rewrites the rules of what to expect from a musical, or in this case rock opera, and showcases some truly exciting performances.