Rent (Musical) by Fighting Chance Productions – Theatre review
Last spring, I was invited by Ryan Mooney (Artistic Director of Fighting Change Productions) to see TICK TICK Boom! The show was fantastic and by the end of it, I had an opportunity to talk to Ryan about their upcoming productions. He mentioned that they were preparing RENT, and asked me whether I’d come for opening night of their first 2009-2010 production. Well, the time came already as I was joined last night by Lorraine at the opening night of Rent as a guest of FCP, at the Presentation House Theatre in North Vancouver.
With intertwined themes of love, poverty, passion, heartbreak, homelessness and redemption, Rent is a fantastic musical that shows you just how important is love in human life. From the description on Wikipedia:
Rent is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera La bohème. It tells the 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 AIDS.
I really enjoyed this all-Canadian production of Rent. Since it was opening night, I am sure that there’ll be things that the production will want to smooth. For the first number, I wish the sound engineering had been more focused on the actors’ voices than the music. The rest of the show was absolutely delightful. The actor who plays Angel definitely steals the show, regardless of the fact that Rent is a multiple-actor cast production. And not surprisingly (I’ve seen other Fighting Chance Productions), the closing number brought the audience to their feet.
Without a doubt, this was one of the most enjoyable versions of Rent I’ve witnessed, and from what I understand, the first time Rent is presented with an all-Canadian cast. I recognized a couple of actors from other productions and I had a chance to have a brief chat with them along with Lorraine. I would strongly recommend attending this musical. It will run from August 7th to 30th, 2009 at Presentation House in North Vancouver. Below you can find the video to the popular song “Seasons of Love” (not with the cast of this particular production, though)
Ryan gave me a pair of tickets to give away on my site, and an invite to see the show myself, which I really appreciate. Since the theme of rent is in great part, homelessness, to win these tickets, just drop a comment here offering an idea (no matter how far-fetched it may be) to solve homelessness. I will draw the winner on Wednesday August 12th at 4pm.
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A perfect world?
A case-by-case re-integration strategy including counselling and health care, intermediary housing, family connections/interventions.
rent changed my life. seriously. i saw it off-broadway on the east coast and it was absolutely stunning. a piece that all young/old/young at heart should see.
i *swoon* for musicals.
Instead of renting out a basement suite, allow someone who’s homeless to live there while they get back on their feet.
I love Rent!! =)
I’m a big fan of the Portland Model of working to end homelessness. You provide static funding annually to local non-profit organizations with NO limit on how it can be spent (ie, paying first and last month’s rent / job training / rehab and rehabilitation) etc.
At the end of the day, when we realize it costs MORE to simply deal with homeless as compared to treating, managing, and moving people (sometimes forcibly) off the street, the better off we will all be.
Oh, and I REALLY want to go see Rent! I’ve seen it twice in Vancouver and loved it each time!
Each homeless person has different challenges/needs so ask the person how we can help. And have appropriate services and supports in place to assist each person.
Organize annual fundraising events in your school, neighbourhood or workplace; invite speakers on homelessness and housing issues to some of these events.
Loved seeing the cast perform live during our Pride parade. They stopped right in front of where I was throwing a pride parade viewing party and sang the signature song. It was awesome!
Just wanted to say thanks for the review! Lynne pointed me here… I’m one of the actors and her coworker.
Back in my high school days, the choir director had us sing Seasons of Love. I knew about Rent, but I’d never seen it (in fact I only saw the movie version, just last year).. however the song was good enough to make me want to see it live, or even be in a production of it at some point..
As far as homelessness goes – travellers have no problem couchsurfing in far off destinations, so why can’t the homeless? There could be a program to give them their own locker spade in a central location (for a mailing address and personal belongings storage), and homeowners could be given some “hospitality pay” to let someone sleep on their couch for as long as they determine. The pay could go towards food, education, social time, etc…. It would give a chance for some of these people, particularly the ones who’s only problem is the lack of a roof over their heads, to reintegrate with society, while making friend/network connections at the same time (and also allow the homeowners/renters to broaden their horizons a bit, and help to solve the problem rather than complain/dismiss/ignore it)
Address the root causes of homelessness (mental illness, abuse, disabilities) and build affordable housing for all for when they are back on their feet.
(Hey, you said it could be far-fetched!)
Saw Rent in NYC in 2000 or 2001. Loved it then, love it now, love the music.
Remove the barriers to applying for social assistance. Increase the stipend that people receive. Help people with their disability benefits applications rather than hinder them (the government that is).
Then – provide people with ongoing consistent case management suited to their unique individual lives.
Realize that helping people for 2-5 years if need be is still cheaper in the long run for society as a whole.
I saw rent at the Ford Theatre when it came to Vancouver a few years ago. I liked it. Saw the movie Rent and liked it, but not as much as the live theatrical performance though.
I strongly believe the combination of Housing First and social workers would be an amazing help to homeless persons.
Depends on the reasons for homelessness, which should be assessed by professionals
- mental health: fund institutions
- drug addiction: provide free substitution drugs and hospitalize the addicts
- poverty: social housing, which doesn’t necessary have to be downtown.
- “hippie” culture – not an excuse to live in a public space
AH! Please let me win! Want… to see RENT soo…. bad!
Idea to solve homelessness…
A work agency in downtown Vancouver that offers the homeless one-off job opportunities with partnering business. Not a full-time job, but perhaps opportunities like $50 a shot for odd-jobs such as cleaning up alleyways, handing out flyers… something like that?
It seems like perhaps one of the best ways to address the problem is to spark a little entrepreneurial spirit to get people on their feet!
Perhaps it is a bit idealistic, but in my head it seems like a good idea!
And the winner is – Tyler Ingram! – contact me, Tyler – to make arrangements for your tickets! Congrats!
I saw the musical last night and it was amazing. When the lights came on I wanted to scream “NOOOOO it can’t be over yet.” I am definitely going to attend another performance.
RENT is by far my favtorite musical. the songs are great and have gotten me through some rough times in my life. I went to see the play when I turned sixteen and I saw Adam Pascal and Antony Rapp as Mark and Roger. Hands down best birthday ever! No day but today!
My wife wants to see this the next time we’re in NYC. I’m a bit skeptical, but it looks like the reviews are favorable.
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