The lights dim but no curtain rises. The stage is already set, and the band is in place. Anthony Rapp walks out center stage at the San Diego Civic Theatre, and before anything can leave his mouth the crowd is in an uproar of cheer and applause. A few moments later, Adam Pascal walks out with his guitar in hand and joins Rapp. You might ask why there is such an enthusiastic response for the two actors. It is because they originated the roles of Mark and Roger in "Rent" nearly 13 years ago. Both the actors have returned for this year's national tour after being away from the stage since they were originally cast in the Broadway musical. Aside from other Broadway endeavors these two actors also reprised their roles for the movie version and joined the entire original cast (except for the characters Joanne and Mimi) for its theatrical release in 2005.
"Rent" has brought a new generation of musical theater lovers and, with over 5,123 performances, is the seventh-longest running show on Broadway. The musical affects so many people in a raw emotional way that they come back to see it more than once. "Rent" deals with a group of young friends struggling with multiple social issues, such as the AIDS virus, sexuality and poverty, in the East Village of New York City.
The stage show itself holds a close place to Rapp and Pascal's heart. "I've been working in this crazy business since I was a kid, and I've never been a part of something that means so much to so many people, including myself. 'Rent' is certainly entertaining, but it's also transformative. 'Rent' is about people and issues and concerns and relationships in ways that are profoundly true and honest and powerful. Over the years, people have told me that the show caused them to rethink their lives. I've heard things like, 'I never knew someone with AIDS, but after seeing 'Rent,' I'm volunteering at my local AIDS hospice,'" Rapp said.
Many USD students jumped at the chance to see "Rent" because the Broadway show has closed, and it is rumored that this will be the final tour. But the biggest draw for many was that it featured Rapp and Pascal.
"It is so amazing that I got to see these actors on stage," senior Rowena Daly, a longtime fan of the musical, said. "I was nine when it was just starting so you never think you will get the chance to see a musical you grew up on, but I really never imagined I would get to see the original Mark and Roger singing. After all these years their voices still gave people the chills. The most powerful moments were when just the two of them were sharing a moment on stage, like when they sing 'What You Own.'"
Senior Kyle Beck who also saw the show said, "I think the show is unfortunately really dated compared to when it was first written in 1996, at the apex of the AIDS crisis, and it has lost some of its power because the AIDS epidemic isn't as talked about. But the story is still beautiful and the message of living for today as if it were your last day is still relevant and poignant." The theatre arts major continues "This was a revolutionary piece of theater for the previous generation, where now a piece like 'Spring Awakening' is speaking for people our own age. But we can still learn from what 'Rent' was trying to say."
Pascal believes that the show's messages still resonate with audiences. He said that "Rent," "makes people feel. I believe I owe it to the fans and to Jonathan and to the show to take the spirit of what we had when 'Rent' first opened, and bring it to the rest of the country."
"Rent" continues its tour in Phoenix, Ariz. at the Gammage Auditorium this week.
