Actors make triumphant return to 'Rent'

Fans of the rock musical "Rent" camped out on mattresses hours before the show opened Tuesday night at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. Their devotion is understandable, considering two of the original Broadway stars - Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp - joined this production for what is most likely the last national tour. Plus, the show is simply fantastic. Who wouldn't brave mosquitoes and heatstroke to enjoy Jonathan Larson's inspired tribute to '90s bohemia?

Before the lights dimmed, several observant theatergoers spotted former 'N Sync band member Joey Fatone in the audience. Serendipity, baby. Fatone played Mark in the Broadway production of "Rent" in 2002. He came to opening night at TBPAC to support friends in the cast.

"It's great to see old friends do the show," Fatone said at intermission, between autograph signings. "It's fun. It's a great show."

"Rent" enjoyed a 12-year run on Broadway before closing in 2008, followed by several national tours and a film adaptation. Pascal and Rapp's return to the stage as Roger Davis and Mark Cohen, respectively, suggests a final hurrah for the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winner.

Set in New York's Lower East Side, "Rent" follows the lives of artists who dwell in the shadow of AIDS, drugs, poverty and homelessness. They're squatters in a tenement whose landlord, formerly Roger and Mark's roommate, demands last year's rent after promising to house them for free.

Back-to-back with this conundrum, relationships intertwine in a complex web made mostly of love, which neither death nor despair can tear asunder. Note the duality of the show's title.

Filmmaker Mark records and narrates the day-to-day drama of each character, nearly all of whom have AIDS. Roger's girlfriend committed suicide when she learned they both contracted the disease. His subsequent druggy girlfriend, Mimi (Lexi Lawson), is infected, too. Tom Collins (Michael McElroy) and his transvestite lover Angel (Justin Johnston) also have it. Maureen (Nicolette Hart) is OK, but she dumped Mark for a woman - Joanne Jefferson (Haneefah Wood).

Love and music are their only salvations from hardship.

And what music it is. Larson's powerful lyrics and score, complemented by the cast's spine-tingling vocals, transcend even Paul Clay's gritty, visceral set design. Johnston's and Hart's performances in particular were sublime: sassy, outrageous and downright hilarious.

This production of "Rent" is sexy and evocative. Don't miss it.

THEATER REVIEW

Rent

WHEN: through July 12; 8 p.m. Friday, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Morsani Hall, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa

HOW MUCH: $20 to $72.50; call (813) 229-7827 or visit www.tbpac.org