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  • Nic F. Anderson

Rent: 20th Anniversary Tour at Oriental Theater


The season of love took Chicago by storm from May 9th to May 14th at the Oriental Theater, located on 24 W. Randolph Street. This show has grown into a broadway legacy. In 1996, New York City's residents and visitors had no idea what was in store for them when Rent hit Broadway. Then, Jonathan Larson was a very little known composer but he has changed the ways of American theater.

Rent is an original Broadway show by composer Jonathan Larson. It is his rendition and "reimagining" of Puccini's "La Bohème". The show follows a group of friends who struggle with HIV/AIDs, poverty, drug addiction, relationships, and following their dreams. It takes place in NYC during the late 1980s. The show's main themes are to love one another regardless of the situations you might find yourself in, never giving up on your dreams or loved ones, keeping hope, and facing your fears.

Twenty years later, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning show is hitting the stage again. The renowned and original cast of Idina Menzel, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Fredi Walker, Taye Diggs, Anthony Rapp, and Adam Pascal, will not be performing for this anniversary tour. However, this tour's cast of twenty incredibly talented actors and actresses are sure to please.

The May 13th show had everyone in the audience singing along, laughing, crying, an clapping. The show did not disappoint. The sound and lighting equipment used for May 13th's production of Rent was nice and clear; there were not any miscalculations or blunders... if there were, they were covered up very well and were not noticeable. The interaction with the audience during Maureen's protest scene had everyone mooing and giggling. Last, but not least, the actors and actresses, gave their heart and soul - and it showed. From the opening scene alone, was obvious that the audience was in for a show; the whole cast was outstandingly talented and extremely enthusiastic.

The show will remain on tour until January 2018. For tickets and more information, please visit: http://rentontour.net

#rent #chicago #musicals #broadway #seasonoflove