RENT - CM Performing Arts Center | 2.15.25

CM Performing Arts Center is currently producing the Broadway smash hit rock opera “RENT” from February 15th to March 9th. It takes place in the East Village in the 1990’s and focuses on a group of struggling artists who are faced with a number of different challenges financially and health-wise. For those of us growing up during this time (dating myself again - although I’m pleased to say I’m on the *younger* end of this particular grouping) it was the first time we saw any depiction of individuals living with HIV/AIDS and it resonated deeply with us. Jonathan Larson’s incredible score was equally groundbreaking as this was the first time many of us saw original rock music in a musical! I went into this production wondering if we really needed another production of RENT - it feels like a product of its time that had its moment; but the performances in this production forced me to think otherwise. I found it to be a joy to revisit this show and this company will give you no choice but to agree!

At the top of the show we meet musician/songwriter Roger and Jewish-American filmmaker Mark (played by David DiMarzo and Patrick Campbell, respectively) who are two best friends living in the East Village. We also meet their former friend and landlord Benjamin Coffin III (played by Steven Charles) who is going back on a previous agreement they had to be able to live in the building for free and is demanding an entire year’s worth of rent, which they obviously cannot pay and have no interest in doing anyway - which leads us to the first full-company number, the title song “Rent.” You truly get a sense of what this cast is capable of with this song! It is a full blast of energy and sets the tone for the rest of the show. We also meet their friend Tom Collins (played by Shiloh Bennett) and we see the first interaction he has with Angel Dumott Schunard (Ruben Fernandez), a fabulous drumming drag queen.

Kinda rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?

David DiMarzo as Roger during “One Song Glory”

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

DiMarzo has a number of shining moments throughout the show - the first of which is Act 1’s “One Song Glory.” This song is a beast but DiMarzo moves through this song seemingly with ease. His voice is rich & strong and I loved this even more than I thought I would! Immediately after there’s a knock at the door and Mimi Marquez (Alisa Barsch) walks in looking for help lighting her candle. “Light My Candle” has always been a favorite of mine and these two do it justice. Barsch makes a fantastic Mimi and knocks it out of the park with her “Out Tonight” - which was, in my mind anyway - a gay theater kid anthem back in the day! Needless to say I am *very* familiar with it and I wanted to sing right along with her. She brought all of the old nostalgia back! Barsch and DiMarzo were equally stunning in Act 2’s “Without You” as well. I’m a sucker for duets…which bodes well for me because there’s more to celebrate!

Shiloh Bennett and Ruben Fernandez

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

One of the sweetest duets in theater (in my humble opinion anyway) is “I’ll Cover You” from Collins and Angel. I may have an emotional attachment to this number because this was also the first time I saw two men together on stage - like *together together* - and seeing this while growing up gay and still trying to figure it all out was so huge. Bennett and Fernandez delivered the sweetest performance that was a joy to watch. However, that isn’t to say that they don’t shine individually. Fernandez’s rendition of “Today 4 U” was a show stopper - they moved, danced, and drummed all over the stage while singing and didn’t miss a beat!

Certainly couldn’t be me. I’m a park and barker.

Bennett’s “I’ll Cover You (Reprise)” in Act 2 almost brought the show to a full stop. The raw emotion and talent in this number is unparalleled. If you are unfamiliar with the show I don’t want to say specifically why this number carried so much emotion, but I will tell you that Bennett was the absolute correct choice to carry the sentiment. The rest of the company supports him in this number and I challenge you to resist the urge to jump to your feet at the end of it - you can’t help yourself! I just can’t say enough good things about it.

There’s another pair I haven’t mentioned yet but need more than a little shine. We’ve got Maureen Johnson (Amanda Mac), who is a bisexual performer who is also Mark’s ex-girlfriend and Joanne Jefferson (Shaina Stroh), Maureen’s current girlfriend who works as a successful attorney. The chemistry between these two is an absolute joy to watch. “Take Me or Leave Me” has always been a fan-favorite and these two ladies show us why. These voices together…my goodness. *Chef’s kiss*

But they more than hold their own, on their own! Mac’s “Over The Moon” was hilarious and performed to perfection with her own interpretation of it, but still honoring the original - which might I add is the challenge in a show like RENT. We all say that actors should bring something original to the table and not just do a “carbon copy” of what was done on Broadway…but then you get a show like this where there’s an emotional attachment to each moment that you need to figure out how to tow the line between honoring the nostalgia and showing some originality - and Mac executed masterfully. Kudos to Director Jess Ader-Ferretti as well for this as it is her vast experience with this show (as well as previously playing Maureen) that i’m sure played a contributing factor.

Patrick Campbell and Shaina Stroh in "Tango: Maureen"

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

Stroh is a force to be reckoned with as well. She shines during “We’re Okay” and delivers quite a bit of humor with Campbell in Act 1’s “Tango Maureen.” It’s entertaining to watch Maureen’s ex-boyfriend interact with her *current* girlfriend and these two capture that energy nicely. This was a standout role for Campbell as well, whose portrayal of Mark was genuine. His performance of “Halloween” was raw and contemplative - quite literally everything it needed to be.

When it comes to Benny, I have such mixed feelings. On one hand I want to say that he has every right to expect people to pay rent when they are living in his building! However on the other hand, if you made an agreement and then take it back - and expect people to cough up a year’s worth of it - well I think we can all agree that’s pretty rough. What I’m not conflicted on is Steven Charles’ portrayal of him. Another familiar face in the Long Island theater scene, Charles brings his unique smooth-as-butter vocals to the show and this is on full display during “You’ll See.”

The ensemble is on another level as well. Honestly, this show doesn’t work without a strong ensemble and thankfully each and everyone of them deliver. Vocals in this production are strong and every single harmony was there. “Will I?” is absolutely perfect. The company captures the emotion of this song wonderfully - the true mark of good theater is when a moment makes you feel something and that’s what happens here. Special shout-out to Thomas J. Gallagher (playing Steve) who’s solo soars and brings this number home. You’ve likely already heard “Seasons of Love” from the countless times it has been performed *out* of context so you’ll enjoy seeing it in the show. Soloists Ayana Jane and Patrick Silk both gave us something to cheer for! I’m looking forward to seeing more of them in future productions.

It is more than apparent that Ader-Ferretti’s direction comes from a place of genuine passion for the material and deep knowledge of the characters and she passed the baton nicely. Any rock opera would be incomplete without the band and Bobby Peterson makes his debut as music director with this production - and what a debut it is! The band spends the entire time on stage and carries each and every number perfectly. Being that the leads occasionally get to leave the stage for a break and these individuals do not…they are truly the unsung heroes of this production. Kudos to each and every band member for being the backbone of the show! John Mazzarella’s set design and Ronald R. Green III’s costuming once again go hand in hand very well together, bringing everyone’s efforts together to create a delightfully crafted product.

This is another show at CM Performing Arts Center that you do not want to miss! Tickets have been selling so quickly that additional shows have been added so you should get your tickets for RENT as soon as possible! Tickets can be purchased in person, by calling the box office, or via their website at www.cmpac.com.

Photo Credit: Janette Pellegrini

Cast:

ROGER DAVIS - DAVID DIMARZO

MARK COHEN - PATRICK CAMPBELL

TOM COLLINS - SHILOH BENNETT

BENJAMIN COFFIN III - STEVEN CHARLES

JOANNE JEFFERSON - SHAINA STROH

ANGEL DUMOTT SCHUNARD - RUBEN FERNANDEZ

MIMI MARQUEZ - ALISA BARSCH

MAUREEN JOHNSON - AMANDA MAC

MRS. COHEN & OTHERS - KAYLA STALLONE

MR. JEFFERSON & OTHERS - PATRICK SILK

MRS. JEFFERSON & OTHERS - AYANA JANE

GORDAN & OTHERS - KEITH JONES

STEVE & OTHERS - THOMAS J. GALLAGHER

PAUL & OTHERS - BRADLEY BERDECIA

ALEXI DARLING & OTHERS - ANNA MOCERI+

+ DANCE CAPTAIN

Creative Team:

Director - JESS ADER-FERRETTI

MUSIC DIRECTOR - BOBBY PETERSON

Stage Manager - REBECCA OLIVIERI

CHOREOGRAPHER - KEVIN BURNS

SOUND BOARD OPERATOR - KEVIN PURDY

PROPS DESIGNER - KRISTI KAHEN

Scenic Designer - JOHN MAZZARELLA

LIGHTING DESIGNER - JOHN VAIANO

Costume/WIG Designer - RONALD R. GREEN III