Rent
Book, Music, and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Directed by Scott Miller and Chris Moore
New Line Theatre
May 31, 2025
J. David Brooks, Nathan Mecey and Cast
Photo by Jill Ritter Lindberg
New Line Theatre
Closing out a season of new productions of shows they have previously staged, New Line is now revisiting the modern classic, Pulitzer Prize-winning Rent. A show that essentially revitalized Broadway in the 1990s, this show plays as somewhat of a period piece today, as closely tied as it is with the 1990s New York “Bohemian” scene. Still, there’s a lot of urgency and relatability to be seen here, as evidenced by New Line’s new production directed by Scott Miller and Chris Moore, featuring a strong cast and excellent visuals and musical accompaniment.
The story, inspired by Puccini’s opera La Bohème, follows a group of struggling artists in New York City’s East Village dealing with illness, homelessness, and encroaching gentrification. Aspiring filmmaker Mark (J. David Brooks) serves as the primary narrator, accompanied by his ever-present camera. Mark shares a loft with struggling musician Roger (Nathan Mecey), whose goal is to write one great song. The owner of their building is their former roommate Benny (Aaron Tucker), who has married into a wealthy family and is now demanding they pay rent or move out. This situation coincides with a situation on the adjoining lot, where the encamped residents are protesting an impending development, and performance artist Maureen (Sarah Lueken)–Mark’s ex–is planning a show in support of their cause. Also in their circle are Maureen’s conflicted new girlfriend, lawyer Joanne (Jazmine Kendela Wade), Mark and Roger’s old friend, out-of-work professor Tom Collins (Chris Moore), and Collins’ new love interest, drag queen and street performer Angel (Aarin Kamphoefner). There’s Mimi (Corrinna Redford), an ailing nightclub dancer who strikes up a halting romance with Roger, but who has secrets she’s hiding from him. Over the course of a year (winter to winter) we follow these characters and their hopes, dreams, struggles, and relationships including dealing with hardship, romance, tragedy, and hopeful second chances in the midst of financial struggles, relationship conflicts, HIV-related illness, and more.
This has become an especially well-known show in the past 30 years, with memorable songs like “Seasons of Love”, “La Vie Bohème”, and more. Here, the time, place, and atmosphere have been well-established by means of Todd Schaefer’s evocative set that somewhat calls to mind the set from New Line’s previous production of this show in 2014, with its prominent round table and moon motif, but with new additions evoking the loft and fire escapes of the city, allowing areas for performers to spread out and for Angel to perch and watch the action at key moments. There’s also striking lighting by Ryan Thorp and excellent sound by Ryan Day, along with memorable costumes by Zachary Thompson that evoke the mid-1990s setting and suit the characters well. The band, led by music director Randon Lane, provides a rocking soundtrack to the proceedings, and there’s also commendable work by tango choreographer Chelsie Johnston in the standout “Tango: Maureen” number ably performed by Brooks and Wade.
Although the cast takes a bit of time in the first act to find their energy, they are well-chosen and build up enthusiasm and momentum to present an ultimately powerful and dynamic production, with standout numbers including the truly stunning reprise of “I’ll Cover You” in Act 2 led by Moore and supported by the powerful vocal harmonies of the entire ensemble. Brooks and Mecey lead the cast well as Mark and Roger, with strong support from the rest of the cast, with standouts including Kamphoefner as the memorable Angel, Redford as the persistent and ailing Mimi, Lueken as the confrontational Maureen and Wade as her often exasperated partner, Joanne, and the aforementioned Moore as Collins. The rest of the ensemble, playing various roles, includes Rafael DaCosta, Chelsie Johnston, Brittany Kohl, Gabriel Scott Lawrence, Sofia McGrath, Tawaine Noah, Rachel Parker, and Lauren Tenenbaum. It’s a cohesive ensemble featuring the strong singing that I’ve come to expect from New Line.
If you love Rent, you’ll probably love this production. Even if you haven’t seen the show before, or even had a negative experience, I would recommend checking out this heartfelt, well-cast and especially well-sung staging. It’s a timeless classic with a timely immediacy that brings out the passion and energy for which this show is known and celebrated.
Chris Moore and Cast
Photo by Jill Ritter Lindberg
New Line Theatre
New Line Theatre is presenting Rent at the Marcelle Theater until June 21, 2025
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