In the Life of Friends (Redline Performing Arts)

RENT

Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson

Directed by Alonzo Ramont Music Direction by Dr. David Borman

Review by Regina Harris

Entire contents are copyright@2025 by Regina Harris. All rights reserved.

Redline Performing Arts’ production of RENT opened last week at the MEx Theatre. RENT tells the story of a group of artists scraping out a living in the 1990’s New York City, facing the dawn of a new millennium amid poverty, the AIDS crisis and the looming anxiety of cultural change. The musical populates this world with a vivid collection of colorful, creative characters-each struggling to love, create and survive in a society that often overlooks them. Redline delivered an immersive and emotionally intimate take on the iconic musical to an enthusiastic audience.

Unusually staged in an effective theater-in-the-round format, the audience was clustered at the center of the MEx Theater, with the perimeter being fully utilized by actors and dancers. This design created for a natural stereophonic sound resulting in the exhilarating feeling of being inside the story rather than watching it from a distance.

While some vocal performances were uneven, the cast’s commitment was unwavering, with every actor fully invested in their character.

Kyle Braun portrayed Mark Cohen with the frustrating emotional reserve of a filmmaker who documents life but struggles to actively participate in it. Adam Byrd’s Roger, an angst ridden, and emotionally guarded musician longing to create one lasting piece of art, was quietly devastating.

August Acostarose was perfectly cast as Mimi, bringing the needed vulnerability and fragility to the role. Ann Morgan Heath‘s portrayal of Maureen Johnson, the passionate (if slightly off kilter) performance artist, injected sass and humor throughout the production. Her rendition of “Over the Moon” was appropriately ditzy and hilarious.

Kavin Moore’s Angel Dumott Schunard brought a transcendent grace, joy and elegance to the stage. Moore’s vocals blended seamlessly with Phillip Clemons’ Tom Collins, particularly in “I’ll Cover You;” their chemistry creating a tender and deeply affecting relationship.

One of the true standouts in this production was Tymika Prince as Joanne Jefferson, Maureen’s uptight, Type-A, lawyer girlfriend. Prince’s vocal range and control were on full display and nothing short of jaw-dropping. Her performance of “Take Me or Leave Me” with Heath showcased her remarkable vocal talent while her comedic timing was during “Tango: Maureen” with Braun was on point.

Stealing the show, however, was Phillip Clemons as Tom Collins, his powerful baritone lending weight and warmth, grounding the production’s themes of love, loss, and chosen family.

The only real flaw in the production was its distracting sound design, which was wildly inconsistent - at times muffling dialogue, at others, overwhelming the performers entirely - doing the show - as well as the actors and audience - a genuine injustice.

Redline’s RENT may not have been flawless, but it was heartfelt, immersive, and clearly created with love for the story, the music, and the community it represents – urging us to remember, as the show always has, that there is no day but today.

RENT

Redline Performing Arts

December 18, 19, 20 @ 7:30 pm

December 20, 21 @ 2:30 pm

December 21 @ 6:30 pm

MEx Theatre at the Kentucky Center

501 West Main Street

Louisville KY 40202 www.redlineperformingarts.com