The Midnight Train Crossing

After our adventures trying to find a place to park, I was glad that we made it to the theatre safe and sound. Happily, I got to add another pin to my collection (Now I have four!) And I bought a program, which was really more on the history of Rent, rather than being a picture book, although it did have pictures in it.
Anyway, our seats were awesome. We were pretty well centered, and not too far back. I didn't want to be really close to the speakers, because, well, Rent is loud. I'd never seen it live before, but I'd heard tell that it's very loud.

The set was interesting. The coolest thing about it was the fact that the band was onstage, underneath a platform.
There was this large structure that I never quite figured out the purpose of, but it had lights strung on it. There were also several long tables on the stage which turned out to be used for pretty much everything.
Even with the minimal set, they were able to portray the various places easily. They even had scenes that took place in different places, like the song Rent . All it was was the characters in different places on the stage, and yet it still conveyed the idea that they were in different places.

Highlights vocally were Mark (Jed Resnick), Roger (Bryce Ryness), Joanne (Chante Carmel Frierson), Altamiece Carolyn Ballard, the female solo in Seasons of Love Angel (Ano Okera)

Initially when I saw Mark, I was hesitant because although he had the glasses, he was dark haired. And to me, Mark really ought to be blonde. Most likely because of all the pictures I've seen of Mark he has been blonde. But once he opened his mouth I relaxed. He sounded right, even if he didn't look right. And after awhile, I didn't mind the dark hair. I guess I got used to it

I loved the introduction when Mark described the apartment. As I said, I'd never seen the show so I didn't know about this part, and I thought it was great. Especially the part about how "all of our electrical appliances are plugged into one extension cord, which snakes it's way out the window" To where I wonder :)
I had kind of wondered how they did the telephone parts and now I know. The parents just stand in front of microphones.
It was cute how they had the people who weren't in the scene moving the props around. They had someone hold up the answering machine when the calls came in, as well as a payphone booth on the other side of the stage to serve as 'outside' for Collins (Warren G. Nolan Jr.)

As I said, I liked Joanne straight from the expression on her face when she told Marueen over the phone that "the digital delay didn't blow up... exactly."
Benny (Michael Ifill) was great too. I loved how he sauntered around the stage with his cell phone and shades.

Angel (Ano Okera) got slight cheers when he first stepped onto the stage, before he actually did anything. The role of Angel has got to be difficult to play, especially since the movie came out, considering just how awesome the original Angel was. And Ano Okera did just fine :)
I thought it was cute that Angel and Collins matched - they both had dredlocks. Actually Angel and Collins spent most of their time on stage being cute. Very awesome.
The "And I do not take 'No'" line was well delivered

So then comes one of the more important songs in the musical, One Song Glory . Roger's do or die song. It's one of my favorite songs in the show and it was awesome on two counts.
First, the way they did the lighting on that song was fabulous. It was mostly dark with a hard light on Roger, casting his shadow on the back wall. So cool.
Secondly, Roger's voice was just awesome. He nailed the song perfectly. Particularly on the "Time flies, time DIIIIIIES!" towards the end. Before the song was half way over I was definitely converted into a Roger fan girl - at least of this Roger. So to answer the burning question, Bryce Ryness has a lovely voice.

Light My Candle was funny, especially Roger's slightly bewildered expressions. Mimi (Arianda Fernandez) is a bit to take in at once. The best one was when she caught him checking out her butt. "Oh no... I mean you do have a nice... I mean... you look familiar."
Also funny was when the candle dripped and Mimi goes "I like it between my..." as her leg twines it's way between Roger's.
"Fingers!" he finishes for her, jerking away.
All in all, the whole song was fun to watch.

Even though Collins was on stage before, Mark introduced him. Again I'd never heard Mark's narration before so I thought it was great: "Enter Tom Collins, computer genius, teacher, vagabond anarchist who ran naked through the Parthenon." The look on Mark's face was great, sort of "I dunno either"
Time for Angel's big song, Today For You where once again the audience clapped afore she actually said a word. I suppose she did look pretty darn snazzy in her red dress. Another excellent singer. I think that the people sitting behind me were going to fly out of their seats.
I love Angel, but this isn't the song that makes or breaks that character for me, so I just enjoyed the song for what it was without worrying about it having to be perfect. (Interesting that this is Angel's big song and it's not the important one for me. Anyway...)

Enter Benjamin Coffin the Third, who I previously mentioned was also really well done. He had a nice voice in You'll See . I missed the end of that song in the movie so I was glad to see it in the play. I thought it was great when because Angel, Mark and Collins all sort of squish around Roger, prompting the "Let it be boys!" line from him.
More cuteness from Angel and Collins on the "I like boys/boys like me" part.

Onto another favorite song Tango Maureen as Mark goes to help Joanne sort out the sound equipment. I love how Mark gets all dramatic at the beginning as he's wondering if he'll survive the encounter. This was Joanne (Chante Carmel Frierson)'s first song. Since I saw the movie and now the play, I've been liking Joanne more and more.
I'd been looking forward to seeing this song done live ever since I first got the soundtrack... four years ago. Wow.
Mark's expressions during this song were great, quite a smug looking boy here.
Twas funny when they started dancing, they both struck a pose.
The two of them had great harmony too, they complimented each other well.
I loved Mark's "I feel great now" at the end. Although if I were Joanne I may have wanted to smack him one.

At the Life Support meeting, I was very pleased with Gordon (Gavin Reign)'s voice during his solo bit. It was interesting how it was staged. The whole group was up on this platform above where the band was, except for Gordon, down front and center in front of a microphone. It was a good way to make him stand out. But yes, I liked his voice.

Mimi (Arianda Fernandez) also got applause as soon as she entered at the beginning of Out Tonight perhaps because of her outfit.
Unfortunately she wasn't as strong as I think Mimi should be. She started out alright, but towards the end of the song she started to fade out, and she didn't quite hit the high notes. Overall I think her dancing was better than her singing - and personally, I care more about singing
I spent the rest of the show trying to decide if I liked her or not. I'm sort of glad that Mimi isn't my favorite character.

Time for more Roger praising in Another Day . Actually I suppose he could have been a tiny bit more forceful, but he seemed to become more forceful, and his voice rose above the group and the end. I really like this song :)
Alas, on her first "No day but today" Mimi... well I'm not quite sure what note she hit, but it wasn't the one she was supposed to. Cringe.
Fortunately, she found the right notes for the rest of the night. Perhaps she was having an off night.

Again, lovely vocals from Gordon in Will I? especially when he held the long note. To be honest, I never understood this song until I saw it in the movie. In this production it was beautifully song. Quite moving.

Santa Fe is really the first song that Collins sings, so it was when his voice got to shine. More Angel and Collins cuteness, with Mark getting the whole thing on film.