SHELL OUT THE `RENT'.Original Broadway Cast/``Rent''Argh! It's so hard to be patient. The Broadway phenomenon of ``Rent'' has become the talk of theater lovers nationwide, yet Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, won't get to see the show until next July, when the La Jolla Playhouse  La Jolla Playhouse is a not-for-profit, professional theatre-in-residence on the campus of the University of California, San Diego. presents the
West Coast premiere. Beginning Tuesday, though, we can at least get hold
of the original cast album (DreamWorks).
``Rent'' is the late Jonathan Larson's retelling re·tell·ing n. A new account or an adaptation of a story: a retelling of a Roman myth. of the Puccini opera ``La Boheme,'' set among the present-day artists, squatters and substance abusers - many of them HIV-positive - of New York's East Village. The show's overriding message is that we're all just renting our places here on Earth, so we'd better make the most of our time before we're evicted. Two discs capture most of the show, which, like an opera, is mostly sung. It's an immensely listenable lis·ten·a·ble adj. Being such that listening is pleasurable: an undistinguished but listenable soundtrack. lis and deeply stirring collection of pop-rock songs, with highlights that include the growling rock declaration of ``One Song Glory,'' the sexy come-on of ``Out Tonight'' and the joyous joy·ous adj. Feeling or causing joy; joyful. See Synonyms at glad1. joy  ous·ly adv. defiance of ``La Vie
Boheme.'' The true standouts, however, are the songs that spit
in the face of death, including the silky silkyfemale spirit who does household chores. [Br. Folklore: Briggs, 364–365] See : Domesticity assurance of ``I'll Cover You'' (a love duet for two HIV-positive men) and the quiet resilience of ``Seasons of Love'' (which counts out the number of minutes in a year, each offering a new window of opportunity). A bonus track of the latter, with Stevie Wonder singing along with the cast, is included. It's intended for release as a single. Our rating: Four Stars. CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: no caption (Rent) |
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