Tour will 'RENT' night of musical fun
By Jen Pontzer, Staff Writer
February 20, 2008 | 6 a.m.
Twelve years ago musical theater was changed forever when Jonathan Larson created a new type of musical using rock, pop, R&B and salsa instead of the traditional format, while tackling tough themes like AIDS and drug abuse.
Basing his story on the opera "La Bohème," "RENT" is about the lives of young artists living in New York City in the ‘90s. At the time, AIDS was still a disease people knew and talked little about. “RENT” is about four different characters who are dealing with AIDS. It also discusses heroine abuse, cross-dressing, homosexuality, poverty and art. Unfortunately, Larson died the night of the final dress rehearsal from an aortic aneurysm. His show, however, went on to become a critical and commercial success. It is the winner of the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1996 Pulitzer for Drama.
The touring production features some famous faces. Heinz Winckler (Roger) joins the cast from South Africa. The ladies (and some of the guys) will enjoy that he was named Cosmopolitan magazine’s “Sexiest Man” and “Hottest Hunk” by People magazine. “American Idol” fans can get their fix by seeing former contestant Anwar Robinson as Tom Collins in the play. Fans will have to cross their fingers, though, because he recently tore cartilage in his knee and will be on crutches for at least a week. Graduates of Strongsville High School in Strongsville, Ohio, will recognize classmate Corey Mach in the role of Gordon. He is also an understudy for Roger and Mark.
Mach is the second-youngest member of the cast. Tim Ehrlich (Paul, Angel understudy) is the youngest at 18, and Mach said the two are close because of their closeness in age. Mach attends Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, and is doing the show as an internship. According to Mach, Ehrlich just graduated high school and was unpacking in his dorm room when he got the call to join the "RENT" tour.
Part of being involved in a touring cast is the rigorous schedule. The cast is performing in a new town every couple of days, and they even performed in Japan. Mach said that the Japanese audience was one of his favorites because they were so appreciative.
Sometimes they do a show at night and fly the next morning to a new city to perform again. Many times they have to miss holidays with their families. Instead, they have become their own family.
“For Thanksgiving, we were in Memphis, and we had a big dinner to make it feel like home,” Mach said.
The tour has given the actors many learning opportunities as well. Mach, for example, learned to overcome stage fright.
“The first time I understudied Roger, I was shaking so hard I couldn’t play the guitar," Mach said. "This show has helped me overcome a lot of things. It's a great show. Everyone will walk away so happy that they came."
Ohio University students will have a chance to experience the show tonight at Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium. Students and community members should take advantage of this opportunity, as the Broadway production is set to close June 1. Tickets can be purchased for $25 at the auditorium box office or online.
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