RENT
AT THE ALADDIN THEATRE
MARCH 19, 2004

Brian Gligor (Mark),
Marcus Paul James (Collins)
and Constantine Maroulis
(Roger) in a scene from Rent.
Photo by Joan Marcus

It is not hard to see why this show won not only a Tony Award, but also a Pulitzer Prize.  The musical was written by Jonathan
Larson and directed by Michael Greif.  RENT is only the fifth musical to ever win both the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award.  
Puccini’s La Boheme inspired RENT.

The show was very enthusiastic, the cast a very talented group of individuals.  Some standout performers were Leslie Diamond
(Maureen), Brian Gligor (Mark), and Marcus Paul James (Collins) he could really sing his numbers.   Jaime Lee Kirchner (Mimi)
is one very talented lady.  Not only could she sing well, but also she has a great vocal range.  Kirchner has a good chance of
making the big time.  Another performer I thought was very good not only for his acting and singing…but the boy could dance
Damien Deshaun Smith (Angel).  

These young actors have the ability to take control of the character and make it their own.  Some more than others have stage
presence and that is what makes you able to go onto bigger and better things.  You hear the “American Idol” judges say you do
not have IT…well these young people have IT!  They take you on a journey and you are swept up into their abilities to make
their characters come alive.  That is what acting is all about.  I wish all of them good luck in their careers.

There were some problems with the Aladdin Theatre's sound system at first the sound was too low.  They finally got the volume
up after a few songs.   It was hard during the opening dialogue; you could not hear some of the actors and lost some of what the
story was about.

This show rocks; the songs were good and sung very well.  Good lighting, the set was designed well for the type of show it is
and where it is taking place.  The story takes place in an abandoned music warehouse type building. The chorography was good
too.

The RENT/HIV & AIDS AWARENESS BENEFIT after party was a lot of fun featuring a guest appearance by the one and only
Linda Hopkins, she sang some good old down home blues tunes.  Hopkins has been heralded for her triumphs in "Jazz Train,"
and Broadway's "The Last Minstrel Show." The most significant has been "Me and Bessie," her highly successful musical
portrayal of Bessie Smith. Linda has been performing since the late 40' and has recorded with Johnny Otis and Esther Phillps.   
Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award in 1972.  

RENT is a great show as it tells the story of these characters who are friends and what they go through, drugs, aids, loss of
loved ones and what friendship is all about.  It is a heartfelt story, where they struggle with demons and trying to pay their
RENT.  RENT is about life on the mean streets of New York when you do not have money, a job, or respect from other people.  
It is a story I think is timeless and should be viewed by people in all walks of life.

CAST:
JAHMAL ADDERLEY (Swing/U.S. Angel)
ASWAD (Mr. Jefferson/U.S. Collins, Benny)
JEANNETTE BAYARDELLE (Mrs. Jefferson/U.S. Joanne)
DARYL C. BROWN (Benny)
LESLIE DIAMOND (Maureen)
DAN DOMENECH (Paul/U.S. Angel)
JOE DONOHOE (Swing/U.S. Mark, Roger)
LESLY TERRELL DONALD (Swing/U.S. Benny, Collins)
BADIA FARHA (Swing/U.S. Joanne)
BRIAN GLIGOR (Mark)
ERIN GREINER (Swing/Dance Captain)
MARCUS PAUL JAMES (Collins)
REBECCA JONES (Joanne/U.S. Mimi)
JAIME LEE KIRCHNER (Mimi)
CONSTANTINE MAROULIS (Roger)
GENNY PADILLA (Alexi/U.S. Mimi)
DANIEL SHEVLIN (Gordon/U.S. Mark, Roger)
SUZANNE SLADE (Mrs. Cohen/U.S Maureen)
DAMIEN DESHAUN SMITH (Angel)
AARON TVEIT (Steve/U.S. Mark, Roger)