'RENT' opens at Theatre Bristol

BRISTOL, Tenn. – For those in search of monumental voices a visit to Theatre Bristol is in order.

On a cool Tuesday night, inside Theatre Bristol’s always cool ARTspace, some of the finest voices in the region ran through a rehearsal of “RENT.”

Scheduled to open Dec. 4 and to run through Dec. 19 at ARTspace, “RENT” stars an ensemble of actors including Brandon Bentley as Roger Davis, Dessalyn Sammons as Mimi Marquez and Tad Giles as Angel. Directed by J.J. Jeffers, the production marks the first time that Theatre Bristol has produced the Pulitzer Prize winning rock musical.

“As far as I can tell, we’re the first amateur theater group to do “RENT” in its entirety,” said Emily Anne Thompson, executive director of Theatre Bristol. “It’s pretty darned cool.”

“RENT” opened on Broadway in 1996. Written by the late Jonathan Larson and based loosely on Puccin’s opera “La Boheme,” “RENT” navigates occasionally warm, often irreverent and eternally depressing subject matter. Despite its downer essence, “RENT” played on Broadway for 12 years and qualifies as one of the most enduring musicals of the past 20 years.

Jeffers thinks he knows why.

“I think it’s because it speaks about love and living your life each day like it’s your last,” Jeffers said.

“RENT” primarily revolves around the lives of eight young friends circa mid-1990s in New York City’s Upper East Side. They live bohemian lifestyles, encounter myriad rejection, and stare through the crosshairs of death while simply trying to live as they wish to live.

“It’s the story of eight friends but not the TV ‘Friends,’” said Chris McVey, Theatre Bristol jack of many trades. “It’s about life.”

And death. That final point in life falls squarely upon the character of Angel. For Tad Giles the opportunity to portray Angel qualifies as huge for the young though veteran actor who calls Bristol, Va., home.

“I cried when I got the role,” Giles said. “It’s my dream role. It’s the biggest role I’ve ever had.”

Now, parents beware. “RENT” features adult subject matter, language, situations and one brief flash of partial nudity.

“If you think you’re going to be offended by homosexuality, junkies and AIDS just know that it’s not about promoting homosexuality or drug abuse,” McVey said. “It promotes life.”

Consequently, “RENT” is not for children.

“If you want to come see it,” McVey said, “get a babysitter.”

However, said Jeffers, “RENT” imparts a story and lessons on life that can move mature audiences. Perhaps that in part explains the musical’s durability and appeal.
“It has a universal image,” Jeffers said, “even though it’s tailored for a younger audience.”

Beyond content, Theatre Bristol’s production of “RENT” highlights the theater company’s phenomenal pool of talent. For one of many examples, Randi Lynn Denton of Abingdon in the role of Maureen Johnson sang “Over the Moon” with equal parts bawdiness and brilliance with her knockout voice.

“They’re great talents,” McVey said. “You’ll see.”

IF YOU GO
What: “RENT”
When: Dec. 4-5, 11 and 18 at 8 p.m.; Dec. 12 and 19 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Where: Theatre Bristol ARTspace, 512 State St., Bristol, Tenn.
Admission: $15
Info: (423) 968-4977
Web: www.theatrebristol.org

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at features@bristolnews.com.