What You Own When ‘Everything Is Rent’
by admin on Dec.18, 2009, under Uncategorized
Rent at Trustus: Kevin Bush (Mark), Jason Stokes (Roger)
By Garrett Kellerhals
Christmastime in New York City evokes images that range from sparkling seventy-foot trees to pricey department store windows. The high rises are lit up and the hotel rooms are packed out as the crisp night skyline twinkles with the holidays, bringing hope and joy to everyone anticipating gifts and glad tidings. At least those are the scenes and scenarios found above Houston Street. South of Houston is where the mainstream has met its match in the counter-culture movement of modern-day Bohemia, complete with starving artists and young intellectuals awaiting their breakthrough. This month, Trustus Theatre has brought the East Village’s own ‘Alphabet City avant-garde’ to Columbia in its presentation of the award winning musical monster, “Rent.â€
The show –that could be described as something between a rock opera and an epic ode to the spirit of the 90s—tells the story of an eclectic group of roommates, lovers, neighbors, and friends all searching for a higher sense of community and expression amid growing distance and disease which threatens to tear them all apart. Mark is the show’s narrator who, behind his video camera, introduces us to his collective band of characters who are all broke, beat down and cold on Christmas Eve. Trustus company member Kevin Bush (“Bat Boy: The Musical,†Trustus; “Rocky Horror Show†Trustus) brings his seasoned acting skills and talent to Mark’s grounded narrator and stylish vocalist. Fittingly, fellow company member Jason Stokes plays the role of Mark’s roommate and troubled songwriter, Roger. Stokes (“The Full Monty,†Workshop; “Rocky Horror Show,†Trustus) displays an incredibly strong voice that demonstrates the pain and passion of these artists’ plight. For the season filled with giving, these two do a fantastic job presenting the talent that they and the entire cast have to deliver with a lengthy passage of “people living with, living with, living with—not dying from disease.â€
Among the several standouts of this fully dysfunctional family of individuals were a handful of singers that deserve special mention for their exquisite voices and powerful delivery. Though new to the Trustus stage, Katie Leitner (“Guys and Dolls,†Town Theater) brought out the angst and anticipation of Mimi like a veteran of the main stage, adding a memorable sweetness to a character that could be easily be disliked otherwise. The relationship of Maureen and Joanne is a bit of a rough and awkward mess, but the actresses who portray them do so with a steady hand for their craft. Jocelyn Brannon (“Caroline, or Change,†Workshop) has one incredible voice and delivers an R&B diva’s attitude in each note of Joanne’s numbers. Maureen might be the most complex of the girls on stage and her character is brilliantly lassoed by another Trustus company member, Robin Gottlieb (“Rocky Horror Show,†Trustus; “Elephant’s Graveyard,†Trustus). Gottlieb’s representation of the girl who wants it all was spot on and leaves audiences both a little tickled and slightly tormented by how she gets what she wants. Two singers who also require special mention for the exquisite treat of their highly trained voices are Linda Posey and Lindsey Brown. Both hold degrees in Music Education and beautifully represent their respective institutions of Columbia College and the University of South Carolina.
A list of accolades for this amazing collection of singers and performers would not be complete without mentioning Terrence Henderson (“Fierce Love,†Trustus; “The Full Monty,†Workshop). In his role as Tom Collins, he upholds the soul and charm of the band of brothers and sisters with a soothing voice that brings home the compassion and understanding necessary to the story. Henderson plays another oft overlooked role required by such a huge performance, that of choreographer. Thanks to his sight and skill for dance, the cast moves with an engaging energy that keeps audiences tuned into the rough and tumble journey through loss and fortune.
I would be remiss to write a review without mentioning the directorial contributions to such a grand display of lives and lessons. Christopher Cockrell’s musical direction delivered the score from the rooftops with rhythm and style that perfectly complimented the strength of the singers who owned the show. Trustus Theatre continues to delight Columbia audiences by placing such vision and talent in the hands of Dewey Scott-Wiley. She anchors “Rent’s†colossal ship of dreams and ideals and allows the cast to steer audiences towards Broadway’s bright lights with their masterful voices and refined talent.
RENT will continue its runs next year, January 7 – 23 at Trustus Theatre. The curtain rises at various times depending on the day of the show. Tickets are $25. Call 254.9732 for reservations. To learn more about Trustus Theatre, visit HYPERLINK “http://www.trustus.org” www.trustus.org
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December 19th, 2009 on 3:01 am
This whole cast deserves mention…not just the few you mentioned. The whole show is strong because of the casting and each of them brings so much to their characters.