A Yuletide bundle for 'Rent'-heads

MANILA, Philippines - In time for the holidays, 9 Works Theatrical has decided to gift Broadway fans with a bundle of Yuletide joy, wrapped up in a convenient little cinema in Rockwell Power Plant. Rent was staged last Dec. 8 to 12, also to commemorate Power Plant’s 10th anniversary.

Viewers stepped inside to see a small stage meticulously decorated with scaffolding, walls, ladders and stairs, all of which have comprised the musical’s traditional set that brings 1990s downtown New York to life. Lights had been installed in the ceiling, as well as large speakers on the sides of the stage, to provide the blaring of iconic rock-oriented songs that Rent is known for.

It is one of the more unique adaptations of Rent by far. Director Robbie Guevara (who also directed the first run last February) revealed that he had been wanting to stage it in Power Plant for quite a while — not the typical ambition for Broadway enthusiasts, considering the vast differences between watching plays performed live versus movie experiences.

The unusual melding of mediums led to the cinema experience winning out in the end: many in the audience brought drinks and popcorn into the theater and took contemplative sips from their Starbucks cups as actors belted out glory notes. Some left periodically to use the comfort room, despite there being an intermission. Although slightly jarring to those so used to theater etiquette, these activities did not detract from the viewing experience, and the performances were generally received with much enthusiasm.

Many are familiar with Jonathan Larson’s magnum opus of rock operas, detailing the lives of artists in America, some of them HIV-ridden and the majority of them competely broke. Having ruled the stage for over a decade, Rent still enjoys much success today and continues to pull in more would be Rent-heads — now including fans who weren’t even alive during the ’90s and would probably wonder what sort of device the main character is using to film footage, and why isn’t it a digicam?

Undoubtedly, Rent remains the natural choice for musicals that are easily accessible to the public; in this case, the chosen audience included those managing their Christmas shopping, who otherwise couldn’t be bothered to head to the nearest theater.

Most of the original actors from 9 Works Theatrical’s initial (and marginally successful) run returned to reprise their roles, including Fredison Lo as the geeky Mark Cohen, Gian Magdangal as rocker Roger Davis, OJ Mariano as Collins, Job Bautista as the drag queen Angel Dummott, and Jenny Villegas as Joanne Jefferson, the Harvard-educated lawyer. The cast showed remarkable improvement compared to the last Rent run, despite the time constraints affecting rehearsals (a total of two weeks).

Gian Magdangal, still fresh from The Wedding Singer, expressed his difficulty in depicting Roger’s perpetual melancholy and intense songs. Despite having been involved in two other productions during the rehearsals, Magdangal tackled Roger’s character in a suitably more serious and gruff manner. His fellow actors were able to portray their characters quite vividly, and perhaps the only factor limiting their performances was the cramped stage, with barely a three-foot width for walking room.

Joining them were newcomers Lopez Martinez as the traitor Benny, Sheree Bautista (Magdangal’s real-life partner) as Mimim with Amparo Sietereales as an alternate, and Mian Dimacali in her highly-praised role as the fanatical Maureen Johnson. Completing the ensemble were Gary Junsay, Harold Cruz, Johann de la Fuente, Mark Tayag and Peachy Atilano.

During the premiere, it was announced that sometime in the next year and most likely around Feb., 9 Works Theatrical plans to stage another Rent run, but will be returning to normal theaters and going back to a fixed stage. Those who missed the Power Plant run will be able to watch the musical again, and in its true element this time.

The company’s near-mastery of Jonathan Larson’s work at this point is commendable. Director Robbie Guevara has promised marked improvements for each restaging. Fortunately, his dedication to the craft gives no Broadway fan any reason to be fretfully concerned.