I am a big fan of the recent spate of live television performances, featuring theater and movie classics. My anticipation for "Rent: Live" was compounded by the fact I have never seen a performance of "Rent". Unfortunately, due to an injury to a lead actor, much of the televised show was not live, though it was performed before a live studio audience. But that is a small concern.
The musical written by Jonathan Larson is an adaptation of the opera "La boheme" by Puccini. It is a rock opera in the tradition of "Jesus Christ Superstar", where almost all lines are sung and it encompasses a wide variety of musical styles. Puccini's story is modernized and reconceptualized to fit a storyline that includes socio-political subjects. The modern narrative attempts to cover too much ground, diluting each of its divergent points of view. Still, most of its shortcomings are overcome by the show's strong musicality.
The "Live" performance includes some changes from the original Broadway version, but it did not hurt the production. "Purists" might disagree, but how do they answer the purists who preferred the OG opera, "La boheme"?
I found the studio audience to be annoying at times, interfering with the sound and acting like fans at a taping of "American Idol", but the sound was good through most of the show. In fact, so much of the production is excellent, it is difficult to single out any one discipline. Let's just say this performance is ambitiously staged and up to the task.
The cast features a strong coterie of musical talents. In a host of strong voices and irresistible personalities, I found Vanessa Hudgens's performance the most surprising. Perhaps, I have underestimated her; her performance of "Take Me or Leave Me" ("Rents" version of Puccini's "Quanto M'en Vo") was electric.
I am glad I watched this event. Though Larson's musical offers no concise philosophy where some might seek to find one, it is a moving and entertaining work that ratifies the humanity in all of us. The end of the performance includes appearances by members of the original Broadway cast---a fitting tribute to Larson and his artistry.
The musical written by Jonathan Larson is an adaptation of the opera "La boheme" by Puccini. It is a rock opera in the tradition of "Jesus Christ Superstar", where almost all lines are sung and it encompasses a wide variety of musical styles. Puccini's story is modernized and reconceptualized to fit a storyline that includes socio-political subjects. The modern narrative attempts to cover too much ground, diluting each of its divergent points of view. Still, most of its shortcomings are overcome by the show's strong musicality.
The "Live" performance includes some changes from the original Broadway version, but it did not hurt the production. "Purists" might disagree, but how do they answer the purists who preferred the OG opera, "La boheme"?
I found the studio audience to be annoying at times, interfering with the sound and acting like fans at a taping of "American Idol", but the sound was good through most of the show. In fact, so much of the production is excellent, it is difficult to single out any one discipline. Let's just say this performance is ambitiously staged and up to the task.
The cast features a strong coterie of musical talents. In a host of strong voices and irresistible personalities, I found Vanessa Hudgens's performance the most surprising. Perhaps, I have underestimated her; her performance of "Take Me or Leave Me" ("Rents" version of Puccini's "Quanto M'en Vo") was electric.
I am glad I watched this event. Though Larson's musical offers no concise philosophy where some might seek to find one, it is a moving and entertaining work that ratifies the humanity in all of us. The end of the performance includes appearances by members of the original Broadway cast---a fitting tribute to Larson and his artistry.