Cecelia Francisco“The music ignites the night with passion and fire.” That’s exactly what the touring cast of RENT did on Saturday, April 5, 2003. Their energy blew the audience away in the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, Maryland.
Guy Olivieri and Kevin Spencer stole the show. Olivieri played the role of Mark Cohen, an aspiring filmmaker and Roger’s roommate, played by Spencer. He brought the character of Mark to life and brought energy to “La Vie Boheme.” His energy made you want to jump on a long table and dance.
Spencer was phenomenal. You could feel the emotion rising off the stage when he belted out “One Song Glory.” When they took their final bow, you could see him wiping tears away from his eyes. The strong performance between Olivieri and Spencer during “What You Own” almost tears you apart inside.
Other actors and actresses like Krystal Washington who played the role of Mimi, Roger’s love interest, brought audience members to tears when she sang “Without You.” The chemistry between Justin Rodriguez (Angel) and Bruce Wilson Jr. (Collins) during “I’ll Cover You” was sensational.
RENT is the creation of Jonathan Larson and has been going strong since 1996 when it first appeared at the New York Theatre Workshop. The play is based on Puccini’s opera “La Boheme.” The plot of the musical is that Benny is Mark and Roger’s former roommate who bought the building that they live in and the lot next door. Benny wants to build a cyber studio, clear the lot of the homeless people and evict all the tenants including Mark and Roger. Maureen, Mark’s ex-girlfriend, stages a performance to protest Benny’s scheme. He offers Mark and Roger a deal that if they can convince Maureen to cancel her protest at midnight on Christmas Eve, they can stay in the building RENT-free.
At the end of Act I, Maureen does her performance, party at the Life Caf
