Rent

New York's East Village has a group of bohemian artists struggling with poverty, illness, and their own criss-crossing relationships. Songwriter Roger shut off when his girlfriend killed herself. He resists his attraction to Mimi, an exotic dancer with baggage of her own. Filmmaker Art is trying to mix art and commerce. He and his girlfriend Maureen recently broke up, and she is now with the lawyer Joanne. Tom, a professor, gets rescued from a mugging incident by Angel, a street dummer and his soul mate. Benny has been estranged from his friends since he married their landlord's daughter and has rescinded his promise to provide rent-free space for the artists.

 The cast includes Gian Magdangal as Roger Davis, an HIV+ songwriter; Fredison Lo as Mark Cohen, an independent filmmaker; and Nicole Asensio as Mimi Marquez, an HIV+ exotic dancer.

It also features the theatrical debut of OJ Mariano as Tom Collins, a gay philosophy professor and anarchist with AIDS; Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist; Noel Rayos as Benjamin "Benny" Coffin III, the local landlord; Job Bautista as Angel Dumott Schunard, a gay drag queen percussionist with AIDS; Jenny Villegas as Joanne Jefferson, a lawyer and Maureen’s partner; and Cara Barredo, alternating with Ms. Asensio as Mimi Marquez.

Here are some of my comments. I really liked the show but I really did think that Gian and Mimi really lacked the chemistry and the passion. They were supposed to be in love.I also loved the performance Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Maureen Johnson. I could also never forget the performance of Job Bautista as Angel Dumott Schunard and OJ Mariano as Tom Collins it was so moving  and touching. It really moved me to tears and  I really thought they stood out and really stole the show.

Thanks so much for the chance to be able to see it I am truly grateful for Director Robbie Guevara, Toots Tolentino and Santi Santamariafor such a wonderful and spectacular experience! Good Job to 9 Works Theatrical!

Catch RENT: The Musical in Manila on the following dates: February 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28. fridays, saturdays and sundays at 8:00PM
saturdays at 3:30PM & sundays at 4:30PM
Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza
Ayala Corner Sen. Gil Puyat Avenues, Makati City 1200 For tickets: call 557.58.60 or TicketWorld at 891.9999