STOP what you’re doing right now and click HERE to purchase tickets for RENT at the Atlanta Lyric Theatre (at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre in the (incredibly adorable) Marietta Square). Listen, just do it. When have I ever steered you wrong? This show runs June 10 – 26th and since it is currently the 19th…time is of the essence.
Tickets in hand? Ok good. Moving on…
Greg and I went up there on Friday night because, lucky for me, my darling friend Kevin is playing Collins and he is so brilliant, I hate to miss anything he’s in. (There are few people for whom I’d brave 285/75 rush(ish) hour traffic…Fact.)
I should tell you that RENT is a show that holds a very special place in my heart. RENT had it’s debut on Broadway in 1996 when I was an artsy-fartsy high school student studying musical theatre and I wore out that double disk soundtrack belting out every word of every song and the day I saw the show at the Nederlander Theatre in 1997 was a day I’ll never forget (I’m not ashamed to tell you that I laminated the ticket at Kinko’s and kept it in my wallet for YEARS.) Later, as a working actress in NYC (read: superpoor), I spent money I probably didn’t really have to see it again in 2004 on a day I really needed a lift, and since moving to Atlanta, I’ve seen it twice on tour. I was also lucky enough to see Baz Lurhmann’s Broadway production of La Bohème, Puccini’s opera on which RENT was based. For me, all of these experiences were paradigm-shifting.
I say all that to say this: I’ve had some pretty incredible RENT experiences and Friday night’s at The Strand was no less.
I am literally begging you to go see this. There wasn’t one weak character. My favorite, of course, was Kevin – and not because I love him (I do) but because his voice is like velvet and when he’s on stage I absolutely cannot watch anything else.
My other favorites included Felicia Boswell as Mimi (seriously phenomenal…even over my severe envy of her figure which made me hate her just a little), Adam Payton as Angel (precious and so endearing) and Kenya Hamilton as Joanne (just the right mix of loveable and terrifying). But truly, everyone in the show, without exception, is ridiculously talented.
The set was great and the choreography choices were fantastic. And despite just a few minor acoustical issues, the entire show was pitch perfect for me.
Kevin with gorgeous actresses Kenya Hamilton (Joanne) and Alison Brannon (Maureen)... (sorry for ripping off your intellectual property, Ms. Hamilton)
You have just ONE more weekend to see it and for those of you who didn’t heed my command at the beginning of this post…get your tickets IMMEDIATELY. I mean, right NOW. (Click HERE)
No day but today, right?
xx, L
P. to the S. We had a bite and a few beers afterwards at Hemingway’s in the square and danced all night to local band 7 Sharp 9 as they played re-imagined classic tunes. I must say, we had a delightful evening in Marietta on Friday.
Be there. I will be. She promises that if 25+ people show up she will perform in a Snuggie. And she will look hawt.
Dates are as follows: 
Here’s the Facebook invitation: 
