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Rousuck's Review: "Rent" returns in Signature Theatre's timely revival

RENT_3_SignatureTheatre_creditChrisopherMueller.jpeg
Christopher Mueller
Cast members (left to right) Arianna Rosario (Mimi), Jake Loewenthal (Mark), Ines Nassara (Joanne), Katie Mariko Murray (Maureen), Josh A. Dawson (Collins) and Vincent Kempski (Roger), in Signature Theatre's "Rent" (Photo by Christopher Mueller)

It's time again for our weekly segment with Midday theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck, who joins Tom today with her review of a play that's in keeping with our housing theme today: Rent, the 1990s Broadway hit and Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical, is now on stage at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia.

The landmark musical, which explores still-vibrant generational themes of housing justice, gentrification, love and tragic loss amid a viral epidemic, was written and scored by the late Jonathan Larson, who adapted it from Giacomo Puccini's classic opera, La bohème. Rent ran in New York City for 12 years (1996-2008), making it one of Broadway's longest-running shows.

Arianna Rosario as Mimi and Vincent Kempski as Roger in “Rent” at Signature Theatre (photo by Christopher Mueller)
Christopher Mueller
Arianna Rosario as Mimi and Vincent Kempski as Roger in “Rent” at Signature Theatre (photo by Christopher Mueller)

The 19-member cast at the Arlington revival house is directed by Matthew Gardiner. Music director is Mark G. Meadows, with choreography by Rickey Tripp.

Rent continues at Signature Theatre through January 2, 2022. For more info and ticketing, click here.

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J. Wynn Rousuck has been reviewing theater for WYPR's Midday (and previously, Maryland Morning) since 2007. Prior to that, she was the theater critic of The Baltimore Sun, where she reviewed more than 3,000 plays over the course of 23 years.
Host, Midday (M-F 12:00-1:00)
Rob is a contributing producer for Midday.