I must admit that while I am not a longtime “Rent” fanatic, ever since I first heard the music of this rockopera, I have been a Rent-aphile. I of course, own the soundtrack and know every single word to every single lyric, I have seen the live version in Chicago, as well as the film version that came out two years ago. I love the bohemian spirit, and appreciate the historical importance of “Rent,” as well as its delightful subversive nature.

So on Friday night, while many college students were dressed up for Halloween and out drinking, I was more than content to be sitting in a packed Milwaukee Theatre watching a performance of “Rent.”

The Broadway rockopera first premiered in 1996; over ten years later, it is still going strong. Rent is the brainchild of writer Jonathan Larson, who died of AIDS after seeing the first dress rehearsal of the show. He unfortunately never got to see the success of his show.

“Rent” tells the story of friends and roommates Mark (Jed Resnick) and Roger (South African idol Heinz Winckler) who live in Alphabet City in New York. They are starving artists—Mark, a writer, and Roger, a musician. Their former roommate Benny (John Watson) has married into a wealthy family and is threatening to evict them if they do not pay their rent. Mark’s former lover, Maureen (Christine Dwyer) is putting on a performance to protest the renovation of their building into condos and artist studios; Maureen is now dating a successful lawyer, Joanne (Onyie Nwachukwu). Roger falls head over heels for dancer Mimi (Jennifer Colby Talton); the two fight AIDS together, and Roger tries to help Mimi kick her drug habit.

Longtime friend Tom Collins (American Idol Season Four top-ten finalist Anwar Robinson) returns from teaching in California, and falls in love with cross-dressing musician Angel (Kristen-Alexzander Griffith). The group copes with AIDS, addiction, and love, all under the backdrop of poverty in early 1990’s New York.

The show kicks off with the high-impact anthem “Rent.” The choreography was tight, the singing dead on, and the energy high. As the show continued, it became apparent that the actors loved being on stage and loved being a part of “Rent.” They brought subtleties and nuances to their characters that made the show a success.

Since the play is almost entirely singing (like “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”), it would have been easy, and enjoyable for the characters to just focus of their singing technique and projection. The cast of this Rent went all the way: they attempted, quite successfully to bring context to the lyrics through their gestures. There were certain lines in songs that I learned more about their meaning by watching this show than by listening to the soundtrack and seeing the show in Chicago (ie in La Vie Boheme, when Maureen says to Joanne “Are we packed?” Joanne replies, “Yes and by next week/ I want you to be.” Through gestures and inflection, the actors conveyed that Joanne wants to dump Maureen in this scene).

Notable performances include Talton as Mimi, Winckler as Roger, and Griffith as Angel. Talton had a beautiful singing voice, and her rendition of “Take Me Out Tonight” was filled with spirit and sexual energy; likewise, she committed completely to the emotionally volatile ballad “Without You.” Winckler managed to mask his South African accent for New York native Roger, and delivered his songs with passion and soul (he had some mishaps in the beginning of “One Song Glory” but he managed to regain his footing). It should be mentioned that the chemistry between Roger and Mimi was amazing, and completely believable, as was the connection between Mark and Roger. It was obvious that Griffith loved playing Angel; he committed to the character 100 percent. He shined on his solo number “Today 4 U,” as well as his duet, “I’ll Cover You.” It should also be noted that Griffith demonstrated an impressive vocal range.

Overall the show was well worth three hours of my time. I would go as far to say that it was better than the version I saw in on Broadway in Chicago. The actors were committed and enthusiastic and this transmitted into the performance. “Rent” is important piece of art historically, and a great time at the theatre.

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