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'Rent' control
I'm partially ashamed to admit I call myself a "theater person" since I've never seen "Rent." Until last night, that is. The nationally touring production is currently staging at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (through Sunday) with a couple of reality TV graduates in tow. Heinz Winckler (pictured above with co-star Jennifer Colby Talton), the first winner of "Idols" (the South African version of "American Idol") stars as Roger Davis. In case you didn't see that version of the series, you can sate your celeb-etite with the talented vocals of Season Four "American Idol" finalist Anwar Robinson, who plays Tom Collins.
As expected, "Rent" is a big blowout show, but the production seems to favor the (mostly) powerful vocals of the cast, leaving the acting at a bit of a disadvantage. In other words, it's a cast of singers who can dance, rather than dancers who can sing (or actors who can do either thing really well). Maybe this isn't a bad thing. There are nearly 20 songs in act one alone (with about 10 more to follow in act two) and who wants to be assaulted by off-key singing for more than two hours? The singers, however, could have channeled their inner actors a bit more for the emotionally charged script. Winckler seemed more comfortable belting rock ballads than expressing rocky emotions.
Overall, "Rent" is an enjoyable production with a young, energetic and fresh-faced cast. Yet a little seasoning would have gone a long way here.
Want to see it yourself? Tickets range from $22.50-$70. Ticketmaster.com. More info here:
http://chicago.metromix.com/theater/theater_event/rent-loop/172314/content
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