Theater Review: Your Experience of Rent Depends on the Cast You're Watching
It has been 28 years since Jonathan Larson's Rent officially premiered off-Broadway. The musical has been staged on Broadway, West End, and went on tours. It has been distributed as a movie in 2005 and a Broadway recording in 2008. In Manila, it has been produced by 9 Works Theatrical in 2010 and 2011; Atlantis Productions in 1999 and 2001; the Ateneo Blue Repertory in 2018; and likely, by every other theater company or organization. Rent is almost every theater kid's dream show and every other theater audience's anthem. Staging it will always be a challenge amid the comparison.
But in 2024, 9 Works Theatrical took on this task; and, for all intents and purposes, their efforts and motivation deserve to be lauded.
So, how did the production make it new? In a pre-show speech on preview night, April 18, director Robbie Guevara said they're putting HIV and AIDS front and center instead of having it as the musical's backdrop. And this was true throughout the show. Audience members are made more aware of AIDS' symptoms through vignettes of individual ensemble characters spread out onstage. Even Angel's fever dream in "Contact," shows the character's death while literally ridding the body of any physical symptoms of the sickness. Outside the theater, booths by 9 Works Theatrical's institutional partners—Love Yourself, Inc, The Red Whistle, and Positive Foundation Philippines—are on display to raise awareness about AIDS.
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Every bit of space of the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium stage is also maximized, with Mio Infante’s set expanding upward and sideward through some scaffolding of three storeys. It is used not only to provide shifts in setting but also to give the ensemble some space to flesh out their characters, which is also evident in this version. As the plastic curtains are drawn, we see them in their vulnerable states of sickness as well as their finest hours of happiness. The principal cast also maximizes these spaces as we see their respective stories unfold on every floor of the scaffolding.
However, the problem with expansive spaces is the stage presence that it requires from cast members to ensure cohesiveness, which at times is lost given the elaborate movement happening in every corner or snippets being told between the plastic corners. The sense of one community, a strong theme in Larson’s text, is somehow diluted given the physical space between every character. Unfortunately, this distance is also not resolved due to the weakness in the onstage connections of some of the actors.
Some of the principal cast members, however, show how this is done—making one’s experience of 9 Works Theatrical’s Rent dependent on the set you’re watching. Most notable is the performance of Reb Atedaro, giving a very passionate version of Mark Cohen and obviously trying his best to show the deep friendship (and chemistry) between his character and Roger Davis (played by Anthony Rosaldo with no alternates).
Anthony Rosaldo as Roger Davis and Reb Atadero as Mark Cohen
Justine Peña as Maureen
There’s also the portrayal of Justine Peña as Maureen. While she did not perform during preview night, we were lucky enough to catch her on another day during the opening weekend. Sift through the schedule and make sure to watch her play the role of Maureen and steal the show in the “Over the Moon” sequence. Embedded as a performance art within Rent, her “Over the Moon” interpretation already merits to be a show on its own. Her throwdown with Fay Castro (as Joanne) in “Take Me or Leave Me” is also a showcase of her talent and gravitas.
Lance Reblando as Angel
Lance Reblando’s portrayal of Angel is also unforgettable. In a previous interview with the cast, she said: “Angel is a trans woman, at least for me. It just wasn't verbalized before. Because in the '90s, there were [already] trans women. But no one was straight up saying, 'I am a trans woman.' So, at least for me, that's how I approached her.” This appeared in a show with her performance of Angel Dumott Schunard, whose confidence is exuded through Reblando’s mastery of her movement while still hitting those high notes. Her suspenseful aerial silk choreography in “Contact” is also well delivered.
Thea Astley as Mimi and Anthony Rosaldo as Roger
Mimi's character is shared by GMA Sparkle artist Thea Astley and London-trained Molly Langley. Astley's powerful voice shines in Act 2, but Langley gives Mimi the flirtatious trait she deserves.
Among the ensemble, Abi Sulit, as Pam, dutifully commands the room when the spotlight is on her. Her talent and experience as an actor and singer transcend through the massive stage, especially in her solo parts in “Seasons of Love.”
Anthony Rosaldo as Roger Davis and Ian Pangilinan as Mark Cohen
Ian Pangilinan, a TV and film actor, has an interesting take on his portrayal of Mark Cohen. His Cohen’s mannerisms—particularly perpetually touching his eyeglasses—give the filmmaker’s character a more awkward (yet likely unnecessary) personality. At times, the timing is off in favor of this nuance. Pangilinan alternates with Atadero.
Garret Bolden, hailed as Kapuso Soul Balladeer, perfectly fits the bill as Tom Collins with his signature R&B sound.
9 Works Theatrical's production of Rent has an expansive set of alternating cast members. It deserves to be watched two times (which we did—so far), if only to get that right mix of these complex characters residing in New York City.
Rent runs from April 20 to June 1 at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, 4/F RCBC Plaza, Makati City. Tickets, with prices ranging from P2,000 to P4,000, are available through Ticket2Me and showbuyers.
