In 1996, Rent first opened on Broadway. It ran for 12 straight years. In 2005, the film version was released featuring most of the original cast members. A touring production has played in Chicago many times, including in May of 2017. And now, in November of 2022, the Porchlight Music Theatre versions opens at the Ruth Page Center.

Rent is an ensemble musical about a group of young artists struggling to survive in New York City. This production feels very toned down compared to others. The music is not very loud. The songs are very clean and not gritty or very sexual. It matches the feeling of the videos Porchlight put up on YouTube, which sound like an official guide at an old museum.

Still, there were some highlights including the fantastic “Seasons of Love” to open the second act and “Take Me or Leave Me”.

Pronoun Key: + (he/him/his); * (she/her/hers); ^ (they, them, theirs);  = (any with respect)

The cast for RENT includes Bridget Adams-King* (If/Then); Wesly Anthony Clergé+; Naphtali Curry+;  Leah Davis* (In The Heights, Lizzie); Caitlin Dobbins* (Notes and Letters); Lucy Godínez* (In The Heights); Nick Johnson+; Chris Khoshaba+; Nik Kmiecik+; Teressa LaGamba*; Eric Lewis+ (Dreamgirls); David Moreland+ (Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical); Ziare Paul-Emile*, Alix Rhode* (La Havana Madrid); Abraham Shaw+; Josh Pablo Szabo+/^ (Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical); TJ Tapp* (Cruel Intentions: The 90’s Musical); Brennan Urbi^/+ (Hundred Days) and Shraga D. Wasserman^.

Cost of a ticket: $58 (Main Floor)

PlaylistHQ Economic Rating: Half Price –

Rating Scale: Exceptional Value > Worth It > Half Price > Go for Free > Don’t Bother

Get tickets now for Rent through November 27!

Quinn