No day but today for Manly Musical Society RENT
Manly Musical Society (NSW) will present Tony, Drama Desk and Pulitzer Prize winning rock musical RENT (the 9th longest-running musical in Broadway history) at the Star of the Sea Theatre, Manly from May 17 – 25. This iconic show is the society’s 9th since forming in 2009 and President Keith Muir describes it as “the most ambitious yet!”
RENT tells the story of one year in the life of a group of impoverished young Bohemian artists dealing with life, love, and AIDS in New York’s East Village in the 1990’s. Based loosely on Puccini’s La Bohème, Jonathan Larson’s RENT tells the unforgettable story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and living for today.
Directed by Hannah Courtney, Manly Musical Society’s production has taken inspiration from the Puccini opera. Traditionally set in New York of the 1990’s, MMS has taken the show back to its artistic origins, instead framing the show in 1980’s New York, bringing with it touches of bohemian Paris.
Director Hannah Courtney has this to say on MMS’s interpretation of the production:
“Like West Side Story to Romeo and Juliet, RENT continually refers back to its theatrical predecessor through words, music, characters, and story, reminding us that the events are not reliant on time and place. This is a tale that might recur throughout human history wherever tragic illness and the bohemian spirit collide. We have taken our cue from this theatrical link, removing our RENT from its usual realistic 1980s/1990s New York backdrop, and placing it in an abstract storytelling world that refers to both settings – the harsh modernity of the standard RENT as well as the sumptuous 1840s Paris of La Bohème”
This production brings together a diverse cast of performers from all over Sydney. Sam Lee, playing AIDS affected drag queen Angel, lover to similarly affected Tom Collins, says:
“I am honoured to be portraying this part, incidentally, I just have to be myself to play the role. I always enjoyed musicals predominantly told through music/lyrics; this is when I am able to deliver a character to the utmost potential. The greatest challenge in this character is the vocal difficulties from jumping normal register to falsetto, back and forth, I am not Freddie Mercury after all!”
Keira Connelly plays Maureen, the performance artist, says:– “I’ve always wanted to play Maureen. I admire her. I see a lot of strength in her, as she is so comfortable and confident within herself and oozes sexual energy. She’s eccentric. An activist. She’s vibrant. She’s a diva. But she’s also a very intelligent and emotional being with a big heart.”
The cast features Rai Trippett (Mark), James Mercieca (Roger), Emma Paton (Mimi), Mateusz Brzezinski (Collins), Sam Lee (Angel), Chrystie Wykes (Joanne), Kiera Connelly (Maureen) and Simon Smalley (Benny).
Tickets can be purchased via the MMS website – www.manlymusicalsociety.comon 1300 240 715 or at the door.
Images (top): From L-R - Emma Paton, Keira Connelly and Christie Wykes and (lower) the cast of RENT.
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