Singers invade Pantages

The Broadway hit “Rent” was the defining musical for the ’90s. It arrived at the Ahmanson Theatre years ago. Now it is hitting the Pantages Theatre, but with far more pizzazz than ever.

The Pantages Theatre production of “Rent” is a wonderful show about poor artists finding love in New York, with some of the best performances from Broadway actors.

“Rent” is a musical about a group of artists living in the New York projects, who are social outcasts in some way or another. Mark Cohen (Anthony Rapp) films documentaries, but he hardly makes a profit. Roger Davis (Adam Pascal) used to play in a band, until his girlfriend committed suicide. Tom Collins (Michael McElroy) used to teach at NYU, but his students didn’t care for his teachings. Joanne Jefferson (Haneefah Wood) is a multitalented street performer who freely cheats on her boyfriends and girlfriends. Mimi Marquez (Lexi Lawson) is a dancer at the Cat Scratch club who is addicted to drugs.

To make matters worse, half of the characters have AIDS. And their landlord, Benjamin Coffin III (Jacques C. Smith), is planning on evicting everyone in the 11th Street lot to build Cyber Land, an electronic multimedia studio. Even so, they spark up wonderful friendships and romances which will last forever.

“Rent” always requires a great team effort by all the members of the cast. Almost all the singers have to give their best, so that the audience can truly capture the lively atmosphere of the New York projects. Fortunately, this Pantages Theatre production features Pascal and Rapp, the original actors of Roger Davis and Mark Cohen. And all the other actors were either in the Broadway Tour of “Rent” or in the original cast.

Because these actors know their characters very well, they truly capture all the attributes of their characters. Pascal really encapsulates Roger’s character as a recluse who stays in his apartment all day. The magnificent Haneefah Wood presents a playful Joanne Jefferson, laughing and toying around with electronic sound effects and cowbells, among other things. Angel Schunard (Justin Johnston) is filled with lively energy, dancing and charming everyone to the very end.

All the actors give excellent performances of fan favorite songs, like “La Vie Bohemme,” “Seasons of Love” and “America.” There’s nothing more fun than to see Rapp shaking his bon-bon in “La Vie Bohemme” as the geeky Mark Cohen. Haneefah Wood and Nicolette Hart as Joanne and Maureen play out a passionate, edgy presentation of “Take Me or Leave Me.” They are literally singing right into each other faces, ready to tear each other apart.

Best of all, Pascal and Lawson give the most emotional performances as Roger and Mimi. They even capture the tearful, heart-throbbing emotions in songs such as “Goodbye Love” and “Your Eyes.” Their hoarse voices make for a compelling conclusion at the end, at which point the audience was literally at the edge of their seats.

By the time the cast finishes “No Day But Today,” I was convinced that I had just seen something magical and wonderful at the Pantages. This production of “Rent” really captures all the vivacious energy of New Yorkers who strike up everlasting friendships, even when they are dying of AIDS and poverty. In this current economic depression, there’s no better musical than this production of “Rent,” featuring some of the most incredible actors and singers in Broadway.

Summary: These Broadway singers in “Rent” pull off their best performances as impoverished artists in the New York projects searching for love. This Panteges Theatre production is a must-see musical.

Rating: Four out of four stars