Category Archives: Reviews

RENT presented by The Carnegie through Aug. 26. I attended the opening Sunday performance. Please note that INTO THE WOODS is being done in rotation with RENT and GEORGE REMUS, a New Musical.

When it comes to RENT, theatre-goers tend to fall into one of three categories: Those that love RENT, those who don’t care for RENT, and those who haven’t seen RENT. Well, have I got good news for at least two-thirds of you: the Carnegie’s production is excellent.

Vocally, the production soars with strong leads and a very solid ensemble. Jackson Reagin as Roger & Ranease Brown as Mimi rock out their roles and have great chemistry together. In fact, all the character relationships among the leads are well-defined and spot on. I was also impressed by the character work of the actors who are crossing into their second repertory roles.

Where recent productions have failed for me is in establishing the tone of the time period. Not so with this production. Great care was taken to visually reflect the time with well thought out costume and prop choices, but also in portraying the uncertainty and fear of an epidemic which, 25+ years ago, was a painful death sentence.

Overall, an intimate and rocking production that will satisfy new and existing fans (and possible convert a few).

<insert obligatory lyrics quote here> 😉

My rating: 4.75 out of 5.

Click here for more information on the production.

INTO THE WOODS presented by The Carnegie through Aug. 27. I attended the second Friday performance. Please note that INTO THE WOODS is being done in rotation with RENT and GEORGE REMUS, a New Musical. Two performances of INTO THE WOODS remain in both July and August.

INTO THE WOODS, the first of three productions in The Carnegie’s Summer Theatre Series, ambitiously tackles this 20-role show with only ten performers. And succeeds.

The show is vocally strong with a solid, versatile ensemble. Stand-outs for me are Emma Rose Johnson as Cinderella and Madison Mosley as Little Red/Rapunzel. Jackson Regain and Jamal Stone are very fun doubling as both The Princes and Cinderella’s evil step-sisters.

For the most part, the doubling of roles worked well with the addition of thoughtful costume pieces or quick changes. It did feel at times that it is assumed audience members know the show, so it might help to be a bit more deliberate in the character introductions and the initial cross where Cinderella’s evil stepmother becomes Jack’s mother. The use of the baskets at the end of Act I is clever, but for someone who had not seen the show, they didn’t understand what it represented. Perhaps more green would help.

Tyler Gabbard’s multi-layer set worked well for INTO THE WOODS and I look forward to seeing how it is transformed for each production.

Overall, a smart and tight production that breaks the classic mold.

My rating: 4.25 out of 5.

Click here for more information on the production.