Review: RENT JAPAN TOUR 2024 at Tokyu Theatre Orb

Jonathan Larson’s beloved RENT musical has returned to Japan for a limited run in Tokyo and Osaka. This time, the cast is comprised of both Japanese and American actors; many of whom are visiting Japan for the first time.
 

Tickets

23 performances will play in Tokyo from Wednesday, August 21st to Sunday, September 8, 2024 at Tokyu Theatre Orb (Shibuya Hikarie 11F)

• Tickets for the Tokyo performances can be purchased at https://theatre-orb.com

In Osaka, 7 performances will play from Wednesday, September 11th to Sunday, September 15th, 2024 at Sky Theatre MBS (JP Tower Osaka 6F)

• Tickets for the Osaka performance can be purchased at https://stm-mle.jp
   

Note that this show is presented in English with Japanese subtitles projected onto the left and right sides of the playing space.

Unique and original merchandise will be available for purchase.

All these details and more can be found at the official production website: https://rent2024.jp

Cast

Koji Yamamoto is an extremely well-known Japanese TV, Movie, and Voice actor. He is reprising his role as Mark Cohen, the camera-obsessed nerd seeking validation as an artist. Mark struggles between living amongst his poor artist friends and selling himself out for commercial income. Previously, Yamamoto-san originated this role in his native Japanese language. 26 years later, he is now joining the American cast in English and says that “it was a challenge at first to take on, but it was exciting. Like going to summer camp and meeting many new friends.”

Playing opposite of Yamamoto-san is none other than musician and Tony Award–winning producer Alex Boniello, who has a long history with RENT. Boniello shares many traits with his character, Roger Davis, who is a musician, singer, songwriter and, arguably, reminiscent of a young Kurt Cobain. Unlike Boniello, Roger is a recovering addict living with HIV. The audience meets Roger in the middle of his battle with depression as he mourns the loss of his girlfriend. About working with Yamamoto and being in Japan for the first time, Boniello says that, “this has been a very valuable experience. Like our poster says, No Day But Today; every moment in life is important, and every moment shapes our lives. I think the wonderful thing about Rent is that it reminds us of that. And I want to enjoy this moment right now.”

Joining this international cast as the bisexual and sassy Maureen Johnson is Crystal Kay, one of Japan’s veteran multi-ethnic pop stars. Kay is not new to the musical stage, having been cast as leading characters in the Japanese productions of Pippin and Hairspray. Bilingual in English and Japanese, she is capable of tackling the LGBTQ+ subject matter in a way that is culturally sensitive and digestible for the masses. She also has the mature vocal power required by the infamously tricky Take Me or Leave Me duet.

Official

【公演名】 日米合作 ブロードウェイミュージカル『RENT』

脚本・作曲・作詞:ジョナサン・ラーソン
演出:トレイ・エレット 
初演版演出:マイケル・グライフ
振付:ミリ・パーク 
初演版振付:マーリス・ヤービィ 
音楽監督:キャサリン・A・ウォーカー

出演
山本耕史、Alex Boniello、Crystal Kay、Chabely Ponce、Jordan Dobson、Aaron A. Harrington、Leanne Antonio、Aaron James McKenzie ほか
 ※全編英語上演(日本語字幕あり)

<東京公演>
2024 年 8 月 21 日(水)〜9 月 8 日(日)
合計 23 公演 
会場:東急シアターオーブ(渋谷ヒカリエ 11F) 
https://theatre-orb.com

<大阪公演>
2024 年 9 月 11 日(水)〜9 月 15 日(日)
合計 7 公演
会場:Sky シアターMBS (JP タワー大阪6F) 
https://stm-mle.jp

【チケット料金(税込・全席指定)】
S 席 16,500 円、A 席 12,500 円、B 席 9,500 円、エンジェルシート 8,000 円

*エンジェルシート販売方法は公式ホームページをご確認ください。 *注意事項は公式 HP をご確認ください。
公式 HP=https://rent2024.jp

【お問い合わせ】

<東京公演>
キョードー東京 0570-550-799 (平日 11:00-18:00/土日祝 10:00-18:00)
<大阪公演>
梅田芸術劇場 06-6377-3800 (10:00〜18:00)

Review

From the point of view of an audience member who teaches Japanese performers to express themselves professionally on stage in English, I was impressed with Yamamoto-san’s transformation. He is not known in Japan for being a musical actor as he mostly participates in big-budget drama films. So to successfully expand his English ability across both acting and singing skills is the sign of a master of his craft.

The vocalists in the ensemble of this production are top-notch. Soloist Alana Cauthen is everything satisfying you want to hear in Seasons of Love. And Jordan Dobson does his Angel justice with beauty and grace.

The set design is thoughtfully curated, incorporating the live musicians right onto the stage. And you can feel the comradarie of this international cast exude into the house.

Is this the start of a new era for theatre in Japan? As a long-time theatre educator and advocate for Japanese performers, I hope so! 

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