Jonathan Larson, who wrote the book, lyrics, and music in 1994, described Rent as a Rock Opera based on Puccini’s La Boheme. It tells the story of young, struggling artists and their love affairs, poverty, and the bohemian lifestyle. Along with other awards, RENT took the 1994 Richard Rogers Award, the 1996 Tony, and the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
A large banner, We The People Won’t Go, above the Arden stage is emblazoned on an abandoned building occupied by squatters in 1990s New York City. The story is set back when AIDS was starting to run rampant and there were only two kinds of people – gays and straights. The gays were easy to identify – they were the ones dying of AIDS.
This play clearly took much rehearsing, with lots of long songs to learn, lines to memorize, dance routines to practice, and a lot of work. The actors seem to enjoy the group endeavor and really like each other. They’re good dancers and some extraordinary singers, however not all the language in the singing is clear. I blame Sondheim. It’s bound to happen as they sing different songs at the same time, and not all lyrics will be understood. But you won’t find a better crew anywhere. Many in number, they are an exuberant cast, producing a high energy performance. At one point the whole cast comes off the stage and out across the audience, singing and saying their lines, and the audience loves it.
On either side of the stage are wonderful musicians that the Arden playbill calls an orchestra, but that’s grandiose. This handful of masterful musicians is a band, and one hell of a band. And Rent wouldn’t be half the show it is without lighting designer Thom Weaver’s clever and timely touches. He has worked with more than 30 productions, and it shows. Direction in this lengthy show is masterful, and the timing is on the money. Terrence J. Nolan and Steve Pacek share the honors, and demonstrate the abilities that long experience and careful attention to detail will produce. Nolan is an Arden co-founder whose been the guiding hand behind too many productions to count. Steve Pacek has served as choreographer for a double handful of well known titles and productions in houses around the Delaware Valley, and as this show demonstrates, clearly knows what he’s about.
[Arden Theater, 40 N 2nd St] May 15-June 29, 2025; ardentheatre.org
It Takes a Village:
Actors:
Rajeer Alford, Sevon Askew, Charlie Barney, Elena Camp, Asia DeShields, Bryant, Katherine Fried,
Michael Jahlil, Leigha Kato, Matthew Edward Kamp, Gabe Moses, Imani Moss, Eliana Pinckney, Gilbert D. Sanchez, Matteo Scammell
Directors:
Terrence J. Nolan, Steve Pacek and Alexis Good Assistant Director, Ryan Touhey Music Director, Gina Giachero Assistant Music Director
Designers:
Paige Hathaway Scenic Designer, Thom Weaver Lighting Designer, Asaki Kuruma Costume Designer, Elizabeth Atkinson Sound Designer, Jorge Cousineau Video Designer
Orchestra:
Ryan Touhey, Nero Catalano, Alexa Vallejo, Dan McCain, Emily Roane
Managers:
Alec E. Ferrell Stage Manager, Alexis Wells Assistant Stage Manager, Amy L. Murphy Managing Director,
Book, Music, Lyrics
Jonathan Larson