BWW Reviews: I Should Tell You to See RENT at Stage Coach Theatre
By: Teresa Rodrick Mar. 04, 2014
The Pride Foundation has teamed up with Stage Coach Theatre to bring a beautiful mix of stories and struggles that can happen in the lives of LGBTQ community, via the musical RENT. With the "Religious Rights" bill in the Idaho State Senate (currently on hold and also known as "Anti-Gay Bill") this show is even more important to produce now as ever.
Opening night had a pre-show reception hosted by the Pride Foundation and a.l.p.h.a. (Allies Linked for the Protection of HIV and Aids) It provided time for the audience to just interact and discuss some of the issues that were going to be spotlighted.
When you walk in, the set is actually perfect for the size of the theatre Stage Coach offers. Dan Allers was able to keep the same feel of the original set, at probably around 1/4 the original size. The set includes many levels and evokes a dirty and gritty feeling. I do not think that a better set could have been designed for this space. It was only enhanced by the lighting design (also Dan Allers).
The cast of RENT are all very talented. With the sound in the theatre not really setup for a musical, (there are no monitors or mikes) there is the occasional flat note, but it is not really noticable due to the casts' devotion. The size of the hearts of those in community theatre is one thing that can sometimes shine through in a production; sometimes more than in a professional production. You can tell the professionals love their jobs, but these community theatre actors love their show!
Based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme, Jonathan Larson's RENT follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. (borrowed from the event page)
Bottom Row: Thaddeus Marks (Benny), Tyson Bates (Mark)
Photo taken by: Paul Budge Photography
WARNING: There is one explicit scene that may make audience members a touch uncomfortable. It is short however, so if you can wait it out, it is worth it to see the rest of the production.
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