AFTON – For nearly seven weeks, members of the Afton Community Theater (A.C.T.) have been hard at work preparing to perform one of the most ambitious and involved productions in the organization’s history: RENT.
The varied ensemble of stage actors with varying degrees of experience will soon take to the stage at Afton High School with their version of the internationally-acclaimed musical that critics agree single-handedly brought live stage production to a new generation of up and coming audiences.
Described as “The musical that changed Broadway forever,” RENT is a high energy, emotionally compelling piece of theater that promises to move audiences from all walks of life.
This infamous musical is an amped up modern take on Puccini’s opera, La Boheme. The story line follows a dynamic cast of eight young bohemian characters over the course of a year, translated in terms that the MTV generation can relate to.
The unique bohemia of RENT is portrayed in poor youth and struggling artists who defy convention and reject the mainstream culture. The characters in the musical aim to live life on their own terms, doing what they want from day to day and living for art.
With the AIDS crisis of the ‘80s and ‘90s as a looming backdrop, they face the joys and despairs of falling in love, fighting their vices, coping with loss, and learning what it means to live and love for today, all while facing mortality itself. Given the intensity of the subject matter, the show is recommended for audiences of 16 or older.
The cast of this exciting production stars Michael Graziano as Mark, Mark Durkee as Roger, Danika Clair as Mimi, Frank Joseph as Angel, Jonathon Stockton as Collins, Jackie Olson as Maureen, Doddy Crisell as Joanne and Scott Germond as Benny.
The above mentioned – along with an energetic and talented ensemble – are a force of theatrical exuberance who have poured their hearts, minds, and souls into bringing this musical to life over the past few months.
“It’s giving me life,” said Graziano, a SUNY Oneonta graduate. When asked to describe the experience of working with his cast-mates, he said, “No matter what happens when I go through my day, I get to go to rehearsal later…creating something that so many people love.”
Graziano noted that this is his second hand at being involved with a production of Rent, as he played a role as one of the backing ensemble cast in the past; “This was a great opportunity for me to play a lead I the center,” he added.
Crisell, who plays Joanne Jefferson, said “We began rehearsing on January 3rd and have progressed very well; it's hard to imagine the stage setup with all of the scaffolding and props, but we've managed very well.”
Crisell, a Bainbridge chiropractor, noted that “RENT” is her second performance with A.C.T., having been introduced to the organization prior to A.C.T.'s 2013 version of “9 to 5.”
Norwich native and no stranger to the limelight, Jes Sheldon said, “I'm very excited to work on this amazing show with such incredibly talented people.”
Leading this cast is director Cameron Kinnear, whose accomplishments locally and nationally are too numerous to list. Kinnear is well known in the area for his work with several local organizations, including but not limited to Afton Community Theater, Tri-Town Theater, Out of the Woodwork players, and Orpheus.
Kinnear is a favored musical director and keyboardist for Texas Family Musicals, and has had the opportunity to find himself in the pits of some national tours, including Hairspray, Wicked, and The Addams Family. At his side is vocal expert Karen Umstot-Clark, advising the director and cast in the vocal technique and stamina required for the intensity of the piece. A.C.T.’s production of Rent features choreography by Kayleigh Shuler, who recently booked her first national tour. Sound design is by Steve Samsonik with lighting design by accomplished national designer Ethan Vail.
Afton Community Theater has invested unprecedented resources to ensure this production is of a caliber that will excite, move, and entice audiences far beyond the typical local theater production. RENT will open at the Afton High School Auditorium on Saturday, March 8 at 8 p.m., with a matinee Sunday, March 9 at 2 p.m.
RENT will a run another weekend beginning Friday March 14 at 8 p.m., and closing Saturday March 15. It is recommended that tickets be purchased in advance, online, in order to reserve the best possible seats.
The characters are diverse and complex, leading far-from-perfect lives, and their stories are engaging, moving, and, ultimately, uplifting; and the local cast of the ACT rendition brings the energy-driven tenacity of the 1996 off-Broadway-turned Broadway number to local audiences.
Due to the growing excitement and promise of attendance the A.C.T has switched to a reserved seating system. Tickets can be purchased at brownpapertickets.com/event/565232. Tickets will also be sold at the door, one hour before the beginning of each show.