Livingston Theatre Company performs like 'Rent' was due in fall musical

This weekend, the Livingston Theatre Company (LTC) kickstarted its 26th season with a stellar performance of "Rent," the company's fall mainstage musical. 

Directed by Mason Gross School of the Arts senior Sydney Forrester Wilson, the show focuses on a group of friends living in New York City during the HIV/AIDS crisis, grappling with its effects while attempting to embrace love in all forms.

The musical features a mix of upbeat, angsty rock numbers and slower songs that showcase the impressive talent of the cast, who, quite literally, performed as if their rent was due.

The story is narrated by the character of Mark, played by School of Arts and Sciences senior Aaron Carr. With his strong vocals and charisma, Carr consistently brought captivating energy to the production. 

In fact, a standout number in Act I was "Tango: Maureen," a lively dance number between Mark and Joanne, played by School of Arts and Sciences first-year Madison Miley. Both Carr and Miley did a great job depicting the tongue-in-cheek tension between their characters.

"Over the Moon" was another highlight of the show that acquainted the audience with the bold character of Maureen, played by Mason Gross junior Lily Mollicone. They gave a fantastic performance and even interacted with the audience, encouraging them to "moo" along with their character. 

Before the show opened its curtains, LTC's production staff pointed out to The Daily Targum that "La Vie Boheme" would be the number to look out for, and they couldn't have been more right. 

The audience could tell how much fun the cast was having with this Act I finale, which was enhanced by the choreography of Mason Gross junior Erin Meiklejohn. The talented ensemble was also noticeable throughout the entire performance, providing laughs with recurrent funny gags, especially the "Christmas Bells" group. 

After the intermission, all cast members got to shine in the iconic "Seasons of Love," the Act II opener, which was clearly a crowd-pleaser. 

The number featured excellent vocal moments from everyone, but Chris Forest, a School of Arts and Sciences first-year who played Benny, specifically stood out and deservingly gained applause. 

LTC's "Rent" only got stronger as it continued, with Act II packing a powerful punch of emotion. Mimi, Angel and Roger, played by School of Arts and Sciences junior Mia Ongay, School of Arts and Sciences first-year Abhiroop Doddapaneni and Mason Gross first-year Sam Tunkel, respectively, were charismatic performers who all wonderfully acted out the difficulties endured by their characters due to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

This passion was palpable in another standout number, "I'll Cover You (Reprise)," a climactic song in the story in which Mason Gross junior Dustin Symonette, as his character Collins, left the audience moved.

Beyond the performances, this production created an exciting environment for the show to inhabit. The lighting of "Rent," designed by Rutgers Business School sophomore Ria Mehra, helped keep viewers engaged in the production, specifically the bursts of colorful lighting during the instrumental breaks of the song "Rent," in addition to solid spotlight work.

The use of the cast peeking through the sides of the stage and coming down the aisles were also entertaining highlights, as audiences were able to turn their heads and be greeted by the cast almost face to face. 

This musical welcomed many new members and first-year students to the company, which is something LTC told the Targum it was looking forward to and hoping for in this season.

LTC continues to put a lot of passion into its productions, and "Rent" was no different. A 26th "season of love" is surely in store for them.