I don't have anything to say. I am so speechless. Ganito pala ang feeling, it felt like a blur when I saw it, too wonderful for me to see. This is my first LIVE musical. The first musical I saw-- especially, it was Rent. Rent... one of my favorites. Ang hirap paniwalaan na napanood ko na siya. Ang sarap ng feeling. Super. Kakaiba. I want to feel this everyday, I want to have the feeling longer.
Okay. Enough of the drama. But really, it's true. As soon as Roger stepped out of the door, I just smiled the whole "Tune Up #1" until the end of the song "Rent". That smile was happiness. I never felt this ever-- even before. Just now, this day. I will remember. Thankful that I could see it now, because I will never see it again, even in Broadway (the show closed last 2008 and the last show was filmed and sold in DVDs).
The whole cast was full of energy. They know the necessary power you need to build a good production of "Rent". Even the ensemble were versatile on every character they do-- from Mark's mom, to cops, to street man, to coat vendor and to even a pornographic magazine vendor.
By the way, the choreography isn't the same as the Broadway version, since (I think) the rights to the choreography and even the costume is separate. And the choreography here was slightly better. And this is seen especially in the number "La Vie Boheme". Their "La Vie" was totally different, to any production I saw in YouTube (Yes, YouTube). The "The Last Supper" bit they did was very surprising, and lovable.
"Tango Maureen" was too good to be true. Jenny Villegas and Fredison Lo made a very good Mark and Joanne, respectively. The number although it felt short, but still enjoyable. Fredison Lo brought the inner Anthony Rapp in him. Although I want to see a Mark like my favorite-- Adam Kantor or Neil Patrick Harris. Fred surprised me alot when he sang "Halloween" and "What You Own" with Gian. Although I expected more, he was still "fine".
"Light My Candle" was so flirtatious, it didn't even compared to the Broadway one in terms of the flirtatiousness it brought. Nicole Asensio and Gian Magdangal may not be the best tandem to put on stage, but still they carried the role and owned it. I just had a problem with Nicole as Mimi. She was so much off-key at the first phrases of "Out Tonight", and I could barely hear her over the orchestra. But her deep voice was unlikely of Daphne Rubin-Vega's or Rosario Dawson's-- it made her so unique, even the American audience can embrace her as Mimi. Gian Magdangal, on contrary, is a surprising revelation. He never showed that kind of voice on SOP, or even the acting. He maybe in line of one of my best Rogers, next to Will Chase (No, I do not like Adam Pascal, his voice is all-over the place). I want to see more productions with him, he's very good.
And of course, Angel, the most loved role (not me) by the rentheads. Angel was played by Job Bautista, his high-pitched voice and flexibility showed well in "Today 4 U". Every clapped their hands when he did his split in the number. Although he wasn't that good as Angel, he did a job well done, although sometimes, the funny lines aren't always in the right timing.
And of course, who could forget the Carla Guevara-Laforteza? She was a totally awesome Maureen! Her "Over the Moon" performance passed more than my expectations and the timing and deliberation was well-done and it resulted to a highly pleased crowd. Every moo-ed at her tone, she made us swoon for her witty acts. Although I do not like that she's not thoroughly original. I could strongly hear an Idina Menzel/ Eden Espinosa accent. Even with her voice, both speaking and singing-- Idina/Eden is evident. In this number, they used a projector that could show Maureens singing "Leap of Faith" like the ones in the movie version.
OJ Mariano as Collins? Yes and No. His deep-voice suited the role so much, especially his revealing scene with "I'll Cover You (Reprise)". But he wasn't that lively (Doesn't need to be energetic, just lively).
Benny, the antagonist; Benny, the Taye Diggs role. With them giving the role to Noel Rayos is fine. But his voice is too streamline-OPM, like thos of Ogie Alcasid's. Doesn't suit the role very much. But his different take on the role enlightened me so much.
After the show, I was just shocked. They are very good performers, and really, really good production. Thanks to Jonathan Larson-- for giving us Rent, for giving us inspiration to live like there's no day but today,
I want to see mooore!
Moooing...
