RENT (The Musical) in Concert @ Black Box, Publika

Thanks to Broadway Academy Talent School (BATS) Repertory Theater Club (RTC), I was given the chance to witness Rent (The Musical), one of the more highly acclaimed musicals of our time, right up there with Wicked :D

For the FIRST time in MALAYSIA, for their very FIRST production, the BATS RTC and Broadway Academy (M) Sdn Bhd is PROUD to present you: RENT (Musical) in Concert 2013

What is it about?

RENT tells a story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. It is one of the most influential Musical that changes the style of music presented on Broadway and is full with upbeat pop and rock songs that is catchy and powerful beautifully arranged by Jonathan Larson.

Angel (played by Lim Boon Seong) is perhaps one of the more celebrated cast members, as he plays a drag queen. I must say, he did it quite well

“Rent is the first musical for the MTV generation, and it’s a truly post-modern ride: fast-paced, loud, and furious” (MIT review, July 1999).

Parental discretion is advised as there are some words and actions you wouldn't want your children to hear or see.

The stars of the show, Roger and Mimi, played by Brian Chan, and Elina Effendi

Personally for me, it was not as great as I hoped it would be, BUT considering that those performing were amateurs, I would say they did a pretty decent job. Though there were quite a lot of mumbling and I couldn't really hear what most of them were singing, but I could see that all of them put in quite a large amount of effort to put this whole thing together.

Admittedly, there were some people that were better than others. I guess for me, it was a shame that the music was a little too loud for their voices to carry through, so they might want to pay attention to that the next time around?

(this is my favourite shot of the entire album)

If you look at the initial RENT musical, it is a musical that requires a lot of theatrical effort, and a powerful voice, because the whole musical itself exudes energy. Looking at this stage show, I would say they do have that energy :) One thing I liked was the chemistry some of them had on stage, and you could see that they worked really well together as a team.

le chemistry is astounding :D

La Vie Boheme!

I'm looking forward to see the RTC in action once more as they bring another theatrical musical to life. Wicked, perhaps? :) Or maybe Les Miserables?

More pictures from the musical below:

Mark Cohen (played by Mark Lim Eu Jin) is the glue that holds the group together, and it is where his documentary presides

It would be nice if she could raise her voice a little higher, cos she was mumbling in some parts. She does have a nice voice, which, with practice she could achieve more, so I'm definitely looking forward to hearing more of her singing :)

A very distraught Collins (Hezron Gulon) sings his heart out after his beloved Angel dies

One of the better voices in the musical, Alexi Darling was portrayed by Tee Tze Mien

I really hoped Roger would have really played the guitar instead of just simply strumming it

The last scene where Mimi comes back to life, and a (predictably) romantic scene ensues

So, what else is there to look forward to from the RTC? Stay tuned for more!

The entire cast of RENT, name lists below :)

Cast:
Mark Cohen - Mark Lim Eu Jin
Roger Davis - Brian Chan
Mimi Márquez - Elina Effendi
Tom Collins - Hezron Gulon
Angel Dumott Schunard - Boon Seong Lim
Maureen Johnson - Faizah Mohamed Anuar
Joanne Jefferson - Nana Eddy
Benjamin "Benny" Coffin III - Rudy Ghani

Ensemble:
Goh Yen Peng
Elissa Aiyesha Abdullah Quitco
Norman Effendi
Tee Tze Mien
Nasrun Abu Bakar

P/S: All pictures are courtesy of Henry Lee, from I AM Studio, link here *click* Go like their pages now!!! :)