Fifth time to Rent

Karen Mok and a New York cast are doing a run of Rent at the Kallang Theatre here in Singapore, for two weeks. And last night, their second night, was a rather uneven performance, I'm sorry to say. But the reasons are...multifactorial. First, as a veteran "Renter" that's seen the show four times previously, last night's performance suffered in comparison. Pregnant with Kaylee in 1997, I saw Rent on Broadway--granted, with seats going at $85 a pop, we were high up on the balcony...but that cast was excellent. In Manila, in 1998, I saw the New Voice Company's production at the Music Museum--the ideal, intimate concert venue for this show. I remember being blown away by JM Rodriguez's Mark and Monique Wilson's Maureen, and Jamie Wilson's Benny. Not to mention the beauty of the production itself. When Angel sings "Kiss me, it's beginning to snow" ...actual snowflakes fall to the stage. In fact, that show was so mesmerising, I saw it twice. Then in 2002, we saw virtually the same cast do it at the Victoria Theatre--JM was still doing Mark, Calvin Millado was still Roger...and Rachel Alejandro was a sultry vixen Mimi and her sashaying was totally hot to say the least...matched note per note by her golden vocal.

I will say though that last night's New Yorker Maureen was the best I've seen...beating out Monique, especially in vocal quality. But overall the production was on the uneven side...low-key and somewhat low-energy. It's true that the players may have been affected by the half-empty Kallang Theatre which is massive and a monster to fill. Or maybe they were discombobulated by the faulty sound system which sometimes caused erratic voice disappearances. I don't know. As for the much publicised Karen Mok and her Mimi--she was just on the okay side of the spectrum. There were a couple of instances that she was straining, even shouting vocally. Her Mimi was pretty, but not really the smouldering vixen of sensuality. And her "Let's Go Out Tonight" was actually awkward to watch, I don't know why. Most offputting was her British accent popping out at inopportune times. Hello. Mimi's a New Yorker, and hispanic to boot. I know she's the Canto pop queen of Asia...but...but...but...she doesn't make a very good Mimi, is all.

Still, Larsen's material overcomes in the end. And as a veteran "Renter" I still found pleasure in the melodies. It's hard to really mess up a great thing, I think. Or at least, you have to try really hard.