REVIEW: Musoc presents the Get It ON! season of RENT

A stripper, a guitarist, a filmmaker, two lesbians, an anarchist and a drag queen.  Although this sounds like a cross between the start of a terrible Walked Into a Bar joke and the cast of a very kinky blue movie, it’s actually the recipe for Rent – a deeply touching story about human survival.  Rent is a well-loved musical that is often billed as a “year in the life of friends” but this just skims the surface of what the show is about.  Set in New York City, Rent centres on Mark and Roger (who share a freezing loft apartment they can’t pay rent for), their friends and lovers, and the ripple effects of events that take place on one Christmas Eve.  The story revolves around the struggle of the main characters as they live with, die from and survive the HIV virus.  Rent is not your cliché struggling-artists story, but instead is a story of survival and the difference between living life and waiting for death.

Rent has some pretty big themes and a cult following, as well as huge musical numbers (it’s almost completely sung-through with very little spoken dialogue) so for a university club to take on the challenge of producing it is impressive.  Musoc’s Get It On! season of Rent does not disappoint. 

While there were some technical issues with audibility, Musoc’s Rent can be forgiven for any imperfections since the soul of the show is so strong.  Helping the cause is a 21-strong cast who ooze talent.  All of the leads breeze through solos which are both musically and emotionally complex with ease.  The company is particularly strong in this production, and the full cast numbers – in particular the famous “Seasons of Love” – are a pleasure to listen to.

Despite being in circumstances most of us couldn’t come close to imagining, thanks to the skill of the cast, all of the characters are relatable and believable.  Cameron Melville gives a remarkable performance as Roger, teaming powerful vocals with impressive acting ability.  Melville’s Roger is a troubled and understandably disenchanted young man who literally runs away from his fear of death.  Reyma Hilaga plays opposite Melville as Roger’s love interest, Mimi, with her solo “Out Tonight” being one of the real gems of the production.

Special mention must go to William Duignan as Tom Collins in another stellar performance with Musoc.  Collins’ journey from adorably smitten to inconsolable over the fate of his drag queen lover, Angel, is heartbreaking and beautiful to watch and is the stand-out performance of the show.

Another success from Musoc, this show is not to be missed.

Directed by Sam Creed and Merryn Patrick

Musical direction by Cameron Stewart and Benjamin McKellar
RENT runs until the 17th March at the Jack Mann theatre off Solway Ave.  Performances start at 7.30pm

Tickets are $12/15 and are available online from the Court Theatre website, from the UC Central Library foyer between 10am-2pm weekdays or on the door. 
Musoc has stamped an R16 on this musical because of sexual themes and explicit language.