Because reason says you should watch Rent ~ My Opinion

9 Works Theatrical Production produces Jonathan Larson's Rent perfectly, something refreshing for the fans of the rock musical and new for the first timers of the play. Starting on Feb February 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28 (Fridays at 8:00PM, Saturdays at 3:30PM and 8:00PM & Sundays at 4:30PM and 8:00PM) at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Building, Makati City. For tickets and reservation please call TicketWorld at 891.9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

For a Rent fan like me seeing the 9 Works Theatrical Productions version really gives me the impression that they really works hard to make the show more beautiful so that it will not be a "replay" of other prod performance of Rent. The way they add scenes and arranges the songs made the play flows smoothly and less complicated. I love the way they add more conversational scenes and songs it deepens the storyline.

Thanks to Carla Guevarra-Laforteza, I fell in love with Maureen; she owns the character especially during the part of Fly over the Moon and Take Me or Leave Me. She proves that the character truly fits her. OJ Mariano expands Tom's character and he shines more as theater performer during the reprise part, you can feel the pain and emotions of losing Angel played by Job Bautista. Call me bias but ever since I am in love with Angel’s character, and if you ask me Job impresses me with his performance on Today 4 U and I'll cover you. Honestly OJ and Job have chemistry on stage. Rent is the only musical play that gives its all members part of the presentation where they can shine and owns their song. Mark Tayag, Johann Dela Fuente, Peachy Atilano and Anna Santamaria wow the audience, same thing they did to me. Gian, Nicole and Fredison, proves that they have potentials on doing lead roles on theater I hope I'll be seeing them soon on 9 Works future projects.

During the post event interview, Carla confesses that she is pressured doing the Maureen role where there are already for Filipina performers did it and Monique Wilson is one of them. As for who are new in the theatrical production, Job; OJ, Nicole, Mark; Peachy, Jenny and Anna says it’s a dream come true to be part of the Rent Musical.

Summary

Rent is a rock musical play that takes place on Christmas Eve in an apartment rented by Mark, a independent film maker and Roger, a song writer and an HIV positive. Benny, their former roommate calls and asking for their rent dues despite of the promise he did that he will waive the rental fee on the apartment his former roommates is renting. Benny barters to Mark that he will continue making the rental fee free if he stops Maureen doing her protest. Mark refuses to stop her former girlfriend's event that is now having a relationship with her lesbian lawyer named Joanne. Angel, a drag queen and an AIDS patient sees Collin lying on the street after he was beaten by street dwellers who took his jacket. Angel helps Collin and automatically with Angel's charms Collin fell in love with him and brought him to Mark's apartment. Angel share's his story to Mark and Roger where he kills Evita, Benny's dog where he earns money for doing that. Angel and Collin confess their feelings for each other, while Roger meets Mimi who is an exotic dancer who is a drug addict and an HIV Positive. With Roger's mysterious attitude challenges at the same time makes him attracted to Mimi. Like other lovers who passes on misunderstanding and argument, Roger and Mimi, and Joanne and Maureen faces rocky stages on their relationship, than ends on separation. Angel dies after her long battle against AIDS, with this it reunites Roger, Mimi, Maureen, Joanne and Benny who still have something against to each other. Collin begs for consideration as he mourns to the death of his lover. One year after the death of Angel, Joanne and Maureen brought the feverish Mimi to Marks apartment where Rogers ask forgiveness to her. Mimi survives her illness and explains that she say Angel asking her to go back. Mark finishes his documentary film as people in the Alphabet city finally reunites and settled down as Benny joins them for another Christmas celebration like the old days.

Characters

• Fredison Lo as Mark Cohen, an independent filmmaker and Roger's roommate
• Gian Madrigal as Roger Davis, a songwriter who is HIV positive
• OJ Mariano as Tom Collins, a gay philosophy professor and anarchist with AIDS
• Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist
• Noel Rayos as Benjamin 'Benny' Coffin III, the local landlord and a former room mate of Roger, Mark, Collins, and Maureen
• Job Bautista as Angel Dumott Schunard, a gay drag queen percussionist with AIDS
• Jenny Villegas as Joanne Jefferson, a lawyer, who is Maureen's partner
• Cara Barredo and Nicole Laurel Asensio, both will be doing Mimi Marquez an exotic dancer who has AIDS

Ensemble members include Ring Antonio, Peachy Atilano, Johann Dela Fuente, Harold Cruz, Gary Junsay, Raul Montesa, Anna Santamaria and Mark Tayag

La Vie Boheme!

Rent, the rock musical with music and lyrics of Jonathan Larson, is based from the novel of Giacomo Puccini's opera “La Bohème.” The play won prestigious awards like 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Tony Awards (1996), New York Drama Critics Circle Award (1996), Drama Desk Awards (1996), Theatre World Awards (1996)and Obie Awards (1996). 9 Works Theatrical presents Rent production group is composed of Executive Producer Santi Santamaria, Director Robbie Guevara, Production Manager Weng Lopez, Musical Director Ceejay Javier, Vocal Coach Onyl Torres, Vocal Consultant Lionel Guico, Scenographer Mio Infante, Lighting Designer Martin Esteva, Sound Designer Rards Corpuz, PR / Publicity Director Toots O. Tolentino, PR Manager Jonjon Martin, Cast Photography by Jojit Lorenzo, Production Photography by Sandee Guevara, Marketing Manager Shelyn Tayanes, and Stage Manager Jojo Amboy.