Rent Live: Tune Up #1 / Voice Mail #1 / Tune Up #2

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Tara and I first heard about RENT as sophomores in high school back in 1997. We learned Seasons of Love for our spring choir concert and before we knew much at all about the musical itself, the music to this one song captivated us.

Fast-forward to 2002.  Tara and I were in college and Joey Fatone (yes, we were *NSYNC fans…don’t judge, haha) briefly played the role of Mark Cohen.  (Tara remembers skipping a college class in order to listen to MP3s of the performance - no video even!)  That Christmas, we got the Original Broadway Recording on two CDs.  (Just dusted them off and listened to them, in preparation for the show.)

In the coming years, we amassed RENT the movie (in 2005) and RENT Live on Broadway (in 2008.)  We loved the Live on Broadway version.  The movie brought the musical to life in ways we had yet to see.  Also, Rosario Dawson can be Mimi every single day.

In 2009, we got our chance (finally) to see the show live, as it came to our state.  It was amazing to get to see a few of the original cast (Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal) in the roles that they made famous.

[Tonia and Tara standing beneath marquee that reads: RENT: THE BROADWAY TOUR MARCH 25-29.  We are both smiling.]

Now?  We’re over the moon (pun emphatically intended) about the chance to watch RENT Live On Fox.  We’re specifically thrilled to see Jordan Fisher playing the first Mark Cohen of color.

(This will be less a critical / disability themed review and more a review as fans of the show.   Also, as our reviews are known to be massive, we’re going to publish this post a song at a time, so we can really get into what we liked in each number.  Keep reading, if that sounds like something you’re into.)

Tune Up #1 - The first thing we noticed here was the Previously Recorded that showed up at the bottom of the screen and confused us (it being a live show and all…)  

That was cleared up soon enough, as the cast showed up prior to a commercial break to inform the TV audience that Roger (Brennin Hunt) broke his ankle just before the end of the dress rehearsal in front of the live audience the night before.  So, it turned out that the majority of the show was recorded the previous night.

As for the first song?  We were a bit flummoxed by the choice to set the show two years in the future.  But we loved seeing Jordan Fisher on stage as Mark, and previously uninjured Roger, was really great, too. (Also, it must be said - THE STAGE. Loved the set pieces providing context and color to these characters’ worlds.)

Voice Mail #1 - We loved seeing Mark actively screening the calls and then laughing a little to himself as he hears his mom comment on the “very loud beep.”  Haha.

Tune Up #2 - Yessss!  This was our intro to Brandon Victor Dixon (who killed it as Judas in Jesus Christ, Superstar) as Collins.  Loved being able to really see all the different locations.  But we worried about Collins as he told Mark and Roger he “may be detained,” as two men with baseball bats, walked up while he was in the phone booth.

Upstairs, Mark and Roger accidentally picked up the phone only to realize Benny was calling.  Former roommate.  Current demander of a YEAR’S worth of back-rent when he previously told them they were golden.  (We also learned that Mark has lost both his job, and his relationship recently.)  Loved the quiet, matter of fact way Mark relayed this information.  

Benny reiterated that he needed the rent, or he’d have to evict Mark and Roger.  Then, as if their luck wasn’t bad enough?  “The power blows.” (Startle reflex warning!)

Seeing the play in a way that makes it really clear what’s going on, and having lived on our own, (and therefore having paid rent) for a while now, allowed us to really wrap our heads around some of the reality Mark and Roger are facing.  Owing a year’s worth of rent is no joke.  So horrifying.

(But such a good start to the show!)


For more: Rent Live on Fox

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