CLARION – “Rent” by Jonathan Larson, a landmark musical, which defined a generation, will be performed by Clarion University Theatre, Feb. 25-27 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 28 at 2 p.m. in Marwick-Boyd Auditorium.
Tickets are $12 for adults, $9 for children and $6 for Clarion University students with valid identification cards. Tickets may be reserved by calling (814) 393-ARTS or on-line. Parents are strongly cautioned that the play may not be suitable for young children.
“This is a rock adaptation of “La Boheme” by Puchini,” said Robert Levy, chair of the theatre department and director of the play. “It concerns a community of artists living in the squalor of the East Village in New York City during the 1980s and how they contend with political and personal turmoil including AIDS.”
Larson wrote his semi-autobiographic work while working as a waiter and taking classes. He received the Richard Rogers Award to develop the piece, but never saw it performed, because he died of a heart aneurism on the night of the dress rehearsal. The play won the 1996 Tony and Drama Desk awards for Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
“This play has a raw quality to it, but it is touching and emotional,” said Levy. “Larson was able to use rock, not necessarily the best lyrical medium, to tell the story of living each day in the moment, making the most of the time you have, and improving your life and the life of others.”
That theme is reflected in the best-known musical pieces from the play, “Seasons of Love,” and “No Day, But Today.”
The story is told through the observation of Mark Cohen of his roommate. Roger Davis, who recently out left rehabilitation and is attempting to get his life back together following an HIV diagnosis and the suicide of his girlfriend. Davis wants to complete one last piece before he dies. He meets a dancer and they move into an abandoned building with a number of other destitute artists.
“This is such a New York play that you get a sense of natural locales, despite it being performed on a nearly bare stage,” said Levy. “Knowing that Larson lived in these locations makes it exciting for the students.”
Levy noted that the auditions for this production drew a large response from juniors, seniors and freshmen with most of those auditioning coming from majors outside of the theatre department.
“All of the characters in the play are in their 20s so this is an age-appropriate play for our students,” said Levy. “The cast has immersed themselves in the piece with great excitement. They are working hard to do it justice. The voices are spectacular. There were cheers the first time “Seasons of Love” was rehearsed.”
Benjamin Rowan, Ryan Jackson, and Victor Aponte are all using this production as their senior project.
“This is an uplifting piece, an affirmation of life, taking an active role, and the idea of a community can help each other,” concluded Levy.
The cast includes:
Benjamin Rowan as Mark Cohen. Rowan, a senior musical theatre major, is a son of Ken and Joan Rowan of Brookville and is a graduate of Brookville High School.
Joel Fitzpatrick as Roger Davis. Fitzpatrick, a graduate student seeking a master’s degree in communication, is a daughter of Paula Fitzpatrick of DuBois and is a graduate of DuBois Central Catholic High School.
Lashard Griffin as Tom Collins. Griffin, a graduate student, is a son of Susan Trent of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts.
Ryan Jackson as Benjamin Coffin III. Jackson, a senior theatre major, is a son of Lisa Jackson of Ambridge and is a graduate of Moon High School.
Barbie Osborn as Joanne Jefferson. Osborn, a sophomore music education major, a daughter of Lisa DelVecchio of Millville and a graduate of Millville High School.
Victor M. Aponte as Angel Dumont Schunard. Aponte, a senior theatre major, is a son of Luz Aponte of Erie and is a graduate of McDowell High School.
Lauren Sarazen as Mimi Marquez. Sarazen, a senior secondary education/English major, is a daughter of Noreen Sarazen of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of North Hills High School.
Lindsay Pingor as Maureen Johnson. Pingor, a senior elementary education major, is the daughter of Darryl and Wendy Pingor of Delmont and is a graduate of Franklin Regional High School.
Completing the ensemble in a variety of roles are:
Jacob Krupitzer, a sophomore secondary education/English major, is a son of Juanita Krupitzer of Titusville and is a graduate of Oil City High School.
Jordan Cyphert, a senior theatre major, a son of Roberta Cyphert of Leeper and a graduate of North Clarion High School.
Erin Thompson, a junior theatre major, a daughter of Steve and Maureen Thompson of Canonsburg and a graduate of Canon McMillan High School.
Connor Mrozowski, a junior theatre major, is a son of John Mrozowski of Pittsburgh and is a graduate of Winchester Thurston High School.
Ron Dante Johnson, a senior theatre major, is a son of Judith Miller of Mckees Rocks and is a graduate of Sto-Rox High School.
Kaitlin Laurie, a senior theatre major, is a daughter of Mary Laurie of Stamford, Conn., and is a graduate of Westhill High School.
Kristina Papa, a freshman psychology major, a daughter of Olga Papa of Mountain Top and a graduate of Crestwood High School.
Danielle Watt, a sophomore music education major, a daughter of Frank Watt of Kittanning and a graduate of Elderton High School.
Danielle Winterhalter, a junior theatre major, is a daughter of Michelle Winterhalter of McDonald and is a graduate of South Fayette High School.
Drew Caliguiri, a freshman library science major, is a son of Andrew and Lynlee Caliguiri of McMurray and is a graduate of Peters Township High School.
Trynaty Schluderberg, a freshman psychology major, a daughter of Andrea Schluderberg of Felton and a graduate of Red Lion High School.
Elizabeth Fisher and Samuel G. Levy will be using “Rent” for their senior projects. The production staff includes:
Ed Powers, associate professor of theatre, set design.
Mark Ellis Holland, instructor of theatre, choreography.
Estaban Brown, costume design. Brown, a senior theatre major, is from Clarion and is a graduate of New Castle High School.
Julie Finlan-Powell, instructor of theatre, assistant costume designer.
Elizabeth Fisher, light design. Fisher, a senior theatre major, is from North Huntingdon and is a graduate of Norwin High School.
Kevin Lichty, sound design. Lichty, a junior theatre major, is a son of Pat Lichty of York and is a graduate of York Catholic High School.
Samuel G. Levy, stage manager. Levy, a senior theatre major, is a son of Robert Levy of Shippenville and is a graduate of Clarion High School.
Nicholas Barilar, projections. Barilar, a sophomore theatre major, is a son of Tracy Smith of Punxsutawney and Al Barilar of Wilmington, Ohio, and is a graduate of Punxsutawney High School.
Jamie Richard, producer and director of film pieces. Richard, a senior film and theatre major, is the son of Randall and Gloria Richard of Reading and is a graduate of Exeter Township High School.
Dr. Brent Register, professor of music at Clarion University, is the music director and will play keyboard for the performances. The other musicians include, Dr. Paula Amrod, professor of music, keyboard; Rob Bullington, associate? Professor of theatre, guitar; Jon Mracko, guitar; and Clarion University alumni Benjamin Hull, bass guitar, and David Hepler, percussion.
Mracko, a junior music education major, a son of John Mracko of Jeannette, and a graduate of Penn-Trafford High School.
The 2009-10 season will conclude with performances of April: 21-24 – Clarion University Theatre presents, “Anton in Show Business,” April 21-24 at 8 p.m. and April 25 at 2 p.m. in Marwick-Boyd Little Theatre.