Cape Playhouse’s ‘Rent’ Delivers Raw Emotion and Electric Energy

The groundbreaking rock musical “Rent” opened last week to a packed house at the Cape Playhouse and was nothing short of sensational. In keeping with what artistic director Eric Rosen is describing as “the season of hope” for the Playhouse this year, “Rent” delivers everything the audience has come to expect from the iconic summer theater: high quality production, first class actors and compelling storytelling. 

“Rent” is loosely based on the 1896 opera “la boheme” and first debuted on Broadway in 1996 and ran for 12 years, making it one of Broadway's longest running productions. The show became a pop culture phenomenon and went on to earn the Pulitzer Prize for drama as well as the Tony Award for best new musical that year. Writer, composer and lyricist Jonathan Larson created “Rent” hoping to bring musical theater to the MTV generation, but sadly passed away before the show gained critical success. 

Set in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, “Rent” tells the story of struggling young musicians and artists grappling with homelessness, the AIDS epidemic and the culture of drug addiction. The story takes place over the course of one year and delivers powerful messages of love and hope which will resonate with audiences of all ages.

The Playhouse’s production is directed and choreographed by Chip Miller, with musical direction from Tom Vendafreddo. With a cast of over a dozen actors, the show’s set is designed by Britton Mauk and will transport audiences to the East Village of New York City on the dawn of Christmas Eve in 1989. 

All of the actors in the show deliver stellar performances of the songs in the show which include “La Vie Boheme” and the show-stopping, iconic “Seasons of Love.” Main characters include filmmaker Mark (played by Dillon Klena), struggling musician Roger (played by Chris McCarrell), dancer and addict MiMi (played by Storm Lever) and their friends Angel (Frankie Rodriguez), Tom (Terrance L. Johnson), Maureen (Ashley Blanchet) and Joanne (Tsilala Brock). Other company members include Jordan Barrow, Gabe Cruz, Sarah Kleist, Olivia London, Neema Muteti, Jackson Kanawha Perry, and Jon Rodez.

“Rent” runs for two-and-a-half hours with one intermission through July 12. Be sure to get tickets soon to this phenomenal production!

DETAILS
“Rent”

At the Cape Playhouse, Route 6A, Dennis

Through July 12 

Information and reservations: 508-385-3911, capeplayhouse.com