Rent - Original Cast (CD 1996)

When you drive home from the International Freedom Festival after the fireworks in Canada, it could take approx. 3 hours just to cross the bridge. What do you do during this time? How about some music! This is when I first heard the recording of Rent by Jonathan Larson. My friend popped it in and played all his favorite songs over and over for the whole trip.

I instantly liked it, but since he skipped around, I didn't quite understand it. So I borrowed the CDs to see what it was all about. Fast forward 6 years and I've since bought my own copy, and I can recite all the words!

I told you that little story so you can see how quickly one can get addicted to these CDs. After a little research online, I can now match faces to the voices and I know the whole storyline. I feel as if I have seen this musical many times - but I haven't even seen it once. This is one of few musicals that you can listen to without having to see it because it is 99% song. The 1% that is not in song can easily be found online as many people have written out all the lyrics. No doubt I'd love to see it, but for the sake of money I'll stick to the CDs. Besides, you'll never hear this original cast together anywhere else!

Now for all the details:

The Plot
Rent is a musical about people who can't pay their Rent! Ok, there's more. Rent is about bohemians, artists and musicians, who are truly "starving artists". It is based in New York City in an area infested with drugs, drag queens and crime.

Our story starts with Mark and Roger on Christmas Eve. Mark, a starving film maker, is videotaping Roger, a starving musician. He is trying to interview Roger for his independant film. "Tell the folks at home what you're doing Roger." But the phone keeps ringing and interrupting. They screen. Through the answering machine we learn more about the characters. First, Mark's mom leaves a message to say she's sorry that Mark's girlfriend left him for another girl. Then Colins, their good friend, calls because he is in town. Finally Benny, their ex-friend and current landlord, calls to say "Rent is due"... the power blows.

Here comes the title song. Mark and Roger rock out as they ask "how we gonna pay last year's rent?" You also "see" (or hear) Colin's get mugged in the background, someone calls Mark, and Benny is somewhere else calling his wife. It's all semi confusing the first time you hear it, but I promise if you keep listening it will all come together.

Next scene: Colins is helped by Angel, a drag queen, who asks "You Okay Honey" and they have an instant attraction. Back at the apartment Mark leaves Roger alone and tells us Roger has aids and his girlfriend just commited suicide recently.

Roger sings about how he just wants to write one song, before he goes. When finished there's a knock on the door. It's Mimi. She's a girl down the street who needs someone to "light my candle"

And that's just the first 8 songs! As you can see, this is pretty conterversial and not for those overly PC people. This instead is about reality. Maybe not your reality, or my reality, but it is reality for some people. I won't waste any more time on the plot, but if you want a full synopsis just ask and I can send it to you :-D

The Voices
This original cast consist of:

Adam Pascal plays Roger. If you've read my review of his CD, you'd know I absolutely love his voice. He is the lead, and you can just feel the pain, sorrow, and happiness through his voice. (As seen in The School of Rock, as heard in Aida? I think)

Anthony Rapp plays Mark. He's the film guy who has idealistic dreams of films saving the world, or something like that. He's got a unique voice and it fits well in the part. I also have some of his songs from his cd. He's an interesting singer that brings a great sound to the play. (As seen in A Beautiful Mind, Twister, Road Trip, and more)

Jesse L. Martin plays Colins, Tom Colins. He's got a deep voice that offsets all the other voices. You can tell from his voice he is supposed to be somewhat of an intellectual. He's great :) (As seen in Law and Order)

Taye Diggs plays Benny. He's really got the tone of arogance in his voice, which is exactly the character he is portraying. Perfect fit! (As seen in Kevin Hill, House on Haunted Hill)

Wilson Jermaine Heredia is Angel, the drag queen. He/she is great :) You can tell that it is a man singing as a woman, but not until AFTER you know that. I thought Angel was a female for real til I looked up the info. Good voice for the part. (As seen in nothing special)

Daphne Rubin-Vega plays Mimi, the only voice that sometimes I don't like. She can be a little scratchy, but it fits with her character of a druggie, so I guess it's ok. (As seen in Wild Things)

Idina Menzel plays Maureen. She is a loud mouth, wild lesbian, and her voice sounds larger than life. She's a great choice as I could here the excitement, and crazyiness in her voice. (As seen in a few episodes of Kevin Hill)

The Songs
Here's a full list of songs (on 2 cds)

1:1. Tune Up #1-------------2:1. Seasons Of Love
1:2. Voice Mail #1----------2:2. Happy New Year
1:3. Tune Up #2-------------2:3. Voice Mail #3
1:4. Rent-------------------2:4. Happy New Year B
1:5. You Okay Honey?--------2:5. Take Me Or Leave Me
1:6. Tune Up #3-------------2:6. Seasons Of Love B
1:7. One Song Glory---------2:7. Without You
1:8. Light My Candle--------2:8. Voice Mail #4
1:9. Voice Mail #2----------2:9. Contact
1:10. Today 4 U-------------2:10. I'll Cover You - Reprise
1:11. You'll See------------2:11. Halloween
1:12. Tango: Maureen--------2:12. Goodbye Love
1:13. Life Support----------2:13. What You Own
1:14. Out Tonight-----------2:14. Voice Mail #5
1:15. Another Day-----------2:15. Finale
1:16. Will I?---------------2:16. Your Eyes
1:17. On The Street---------2:17. Finale B
1:18. Santa Fe--------------2:18. Seasons Of Love - Artist: Stevie Wonder
1:19. I'll Cover You
1:20. We're Okay
1:21. Christmas Bells
1:22. Over The Moon
1:23. La Vie Boheme
1:24. I Should Tell You
1:25. La Vie Boheme B


All the Voice Mails are people leaving messages. It is a great way to connect the songs/scenes together, and it helps you know what point we are at in the play.

The finale song is an extra, outside of the play. A great rendition of Seasons of Love including Stevie Wonder.

The Music
This is a Rock Opera, the best kind! The word Opera may scare some people, but don't fear! I HATE Opera, but Rock Opera is completely different. It is a combination of Rock and Roll with Opera elements. This means it is over the top rock. As a comparison, another Rock Opera is Jesus Christ Superstar.

The music is very rock and roll - guitars, quick paced piano, drums - fabulous music you can really enjoy! The singing is BIG and full of emotion. I actually get teary-eyed if I listen to the whole thing straight through because you can feel the emotion coming through, whether it's sadness or happiness.

For Who?
The play is full of swaring (well not full of it, but once or twice a song). Also, the theme is drugs, aids, lesbians, drag queens, and it is all very adult. I wouldn't bring anyone under 18 unless you have a really mature teenager. But, it's not just for any adult (as in PC people keep out!) You can't get angry or offended by this because you know what it is about going into it.

Be ready to be shocked, and touched at the same time. It's a very serious play, about serious issues, and yet it's still very entertaining. It's a cultural phenomenon! It's also not for those that need a lot of humor in their theater stuff. There aren't really any jokes.

In summary, it's for: open-minded, non-PC, thoughtful adults :) You might be able to drag your boyfriend to this because the subject matter is not really 'girly'.

Instant Replay
The best thing about Rent CDs is that a lot of the songs can be listened to independantly. Play your favorite songs over and over. Some can even be mixed into a party mix cd because the faster songs are comparable to rock quality and the slow songs are nice and relaxing. I've replayed almost every track at one point or another based on the mood I was in.

Piece of History
Jonathan Larson died right before the first performance of this cast on stage. He never got to see the musical, and never got to see them win 4 Tony's! Jonathan Larson will never write again. That should be reason enough to buy this CD set and own a piece of musical history.

Lessons
I've learned from these CDs to live life to the fullest, no matter what your afflictions may be! Mark, Roger, Mimi, all the cast, they get through their troubles day by day. They are much worse off than I'll ever be, and yet they still manage to have some enjoyment.

I also learned there are 525,600 minutes in a year!

The End
Listen to it all the way through, or just listen to one song over and over. Either way you will fully enjoy the experience! And as I've said time and time again, this is the best alternative to seeing it in person! (At least until the movie comes out, see my note)

Note
They are coming out with a Movie starring a lot of the original cast! As of March 2005 it is in Production, but I'll keep you informed when it comes out!!!