RENT the rock musical is coming to Adelaide in October and tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in NYC’s East Village in the thriving days of bohemia, Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/ AIDS.
The Tony® and Pulitzer Prize Award winning Broadway smash hit is being brought to Adelaide and co-produced by Benjamin Maio Mackay and Matt Ralph. “RENT is a show that holds such a special place in my heart. To have the opportunity to produce it and make a large scale production accessible to audiences in my home city of Adelaide is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” says Benjamin.
After months of planning, casting and rehearsals, the opening night is approaching fast. Amongst a whirlwind of excitement and preparations, Sam About Town was lucky to extricate some key cast members to have a chat and special behind-the-scenes insight.
We spoke with Benjamin Maio Mackay, Lindsay Prodea and Tate Simpson.
SAT: Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to talk with us. Could you put us in the picture by telling us which role you each play and a little snapshot of the character?
BMM: I play Roger, a former rock star, dying of aids. He’s a sad man, who’s angry at the world around him and the circumstances he’s lived through. It’s not a happy existence – at the top of the show he hasn’t left the house in a year. He definitely needs saving.
LP: I play the role of Mark in the show. Mark is a struggling documentary film maker who loves to observe the world around him through the lens of a camera. Rent is set over the period of one year, and through this time Mark captures the many ups and downs in the lives of his bohemian friends, and also acts as a narrator for the audience. So in essence, the audience sees the show through Mark’s “lens.”
TS: I play Mimi Marquez, a brazen, outgoing young girl that is struggling to open her heart fully to a relationship whilst living with addiction and AIDS. Even in the toughest situations, she’s always trying her hardest, trying to prove the world wrong, and trying to allow herself to be vulnerable with new people.
SAT: Benjamin we’ve chatted previously about bringing the show to Adelaide and about the creative process and your dual role as co-producer and performer. Putting your ‘performer’ hat on, is it challenging to focus on the role and really get into the heart of the character whilst other aspects of the production may be on your mind? If so, do you have any techniques to help compartmentalise the various aspects?
BMM:I find it rather easy to separate actually – especially once we got into doing full runs (which we’ve been doing for a while now). On stage I’m only thinking and existing as Roger, the “Benjamin” voice in my head is gone. There literally isn’t the capacity to think about the other aspects of the show. It’s one of the many reasons every rehearsal is recorded, so I can go back and give notes (and direct myself).
SAT: Lindsay and Tate, I would love to hear how you prepare for your roles. How you ‘get into character’. Is there anything about your characters that resonates with you from real life that you draw upon?
LP: Mark is a little bit of an outsider. He’s a bit quirky, nerdy and in many ways quite introverted, preferring to observe the situations around him rather than be a key player in the drama. He’s a people watcher. However Mark still cares deeply about the people around him. There are certainly times in my life where I have felt very similarly to Mark in these ways: when I have been a single person amongst a group of coupled up friends; or feeling like I’ve got different priorities in my life than my social circle. He’s a very complex role and I feel like I need to draw on many different experiences to really get into his headspace. It’s also been very useful reading the autobiography of Anthony Rapp, who originated the role in the show!
TS: I feel like I share a lot of personality traits with Mimi, both her on-stage party persona and her internal struggle to open up and allow herself to be vulnerable around other people. I like to think I have the same confidence she projects to the world, and if I’m honest, the same emotional attachment issues. These characters are so unashamedly themselves, struggling to open up to each other but craving this close connection of a (slightly dysfunctional) family unit of friends which I think so many people can relate to.
SAT: How are the rehearsals going? I imagine you’re getting into the ‘business end’ of things now that opening night is so close. Benjamin, you mentioned previously that the cast talent has you “floored on a weekly basis”. How has the cast comaraderie and understanding grown over time?
BMM: Oh, it’s grown so much, the cast do feel like a family now. Despite the few weeks of rehearsals and seeing the show many times there are moments I’m still floored. I rarely get through a rehearsal without crying. The incredible performances of those around me absolutely make it all feel real. The emotional journey is intense.
LP: It’s been a real whirlwind but I actually haven’t found it stressful at all. The expectation was set by Benjamin and Matt early on that we come to rehearsal prepared, having already looked at the music and lyrics. This meant we could spend more of the rehearsal period more thinking about our character rather than trying to constantly remember lyrics. The cast is also very supportive and every day I’m also floored by the work people are putting in, but also how supportive everybody is.
TS: Even from the first read through, we all realised that we were creating something really special. Every rehearsal someone brings something new to the table that elevates the show to a new level, the rate at which everyone has grown into their characters has been fun to watch. The fact that it’s local talent as well is amazing. Everyone supports each other so much, it’s been a joy to come to rehearsals every week.
SAT: With RENT being such a high profile and revered production, I’m really looking forward to seeing the balance of incorporating Jonathan Larson’s original music, lyrics and book as well as creating your own unique production. How are you finding that process of taking something original and reworking it in your own style?
BMM: I stopped engaging with any other versions of the show as soon as I knew I was working on it. This means the only thing we’re working from or looking at is the script/score. It means there’s no version we’re subconsciously copying – just a fresh creative approach. It’s been a wonderful and collaborative process working from the ground up.
LP: It’s really fascinating working on a piece like this, because I feel like with these bohemian characters you can make them your own. We have the structure of this incredible rock score, but we can work our characters around the music in a way that you can’t with many other shows. It’s also impossible in this instance to try and mimic the vocal qualities of the original actors because they are so unique, so we have no choice but to let our own voices soar!
TS: Being such an iconic show, so many talented actors have had their hand in these roles, so you always want to make sure you’re bringing something unique to it. There are such complex character storyline’s woven through this music, this whole show is really about genuine people, the mistakes they make, and the bonds they form. Understanding the character beyond what’s just on the page has been an important aspect of working on this for me.
SAT: Which is your favourite part of the show? For example, do you have a favourite song or scene that means a lot to you?
BMM: I know Tate will say the same, but for me the pinnacle is “Without You.” It’s gorgeous, it’s an emotional high point and performing it opposite Tate (or rather having her perform it at me) has been one of the joys of my career. I also love the Goodbye Love sequence, the emotions from all are amazing. It’s definitely the sad songs that resonate with me most.
LP: I have two favourite moments. For over 20 years I’ve loved the the song La Vie Boheme as it’s so intricate, edgy and fun and I certainly never thought I’d get to be in a production where I lead the whole cast in one of my favourite numbers! My other favourite is a duet between Mark and Roger called “What you Own.” It’s such an incredible piece and is the culmination of a lot of soul searching on the part of both characters – also a banger of a song to sing.
TS: My favourite song has to be ‘Without You’. I do enjoy the more upbeat party songs like La Vie Boheme and Happy New Year, but ‘Without You’ is such a profound moment in Mimi’s journey, and a beautiful song to sing. There’s a lot of complex emotions she’s trying to rationalise and come to terms with, and showing that vulnerability isn’t something she’s familiar with.
RENT cast members Benjamin Maio Mackay, Lindsay Prodea and Tate Simpson
SAT: What have you learnt about yourself during this whole production? Have you needed to draw deep or develop any new skills?
BMM: I think the thing I’ve learnt most (or rather rediscovered) is that musical theatre is the joy of my life. Getting to work on projects like this with such incredible performers and creatives like Tate, Lindsay, Matt and our whole team just fuels my existence. It’s the happiest I’ve been in years working on this show. Aside from that I think there’s definitely some emotional deep diving to find those appropriate emotions, those moments can be rough – but otherwise it’s just using my training/pre-established skills from years of theatre.
LP: I must admit I did feel a little intimidated when I first listened to the show in its entirety because it’s a big sing for me and quite different to any roles I’ve played before. I’ve put a lot of work in vocally to last the distance, but it’s also a really nice reminder that I am capable of more than I think I am. I’ve also seen this in my fellow cast members, who I have been so proud to watch flourish as this process has gone on; scenes or songs that were struggles at the beginning are now powerful and confident!
TS: This production is my first after a hiatus in musical theatre so I feel like I’m opening up an old book I haven’t touched in a few years. Everything is still there but it was just remembering how to use it properly. This show has definitely reignited my passion for musical theatre, and being such an emotionally complex story has pushed my acting further than I was expecting. I’d like to say I learnt how to cry on cue but it’s actually just a genuine reaction from the other cast members’ incredible performances.
SAT: Is there a message or anything you hope audiences will take away with them after seeing RENT?
BMM: Hold your loved ones close, appreciate the time you have with those around you. Larson said it best, “no day but today”.
SAT: Thank you all for your time. I wish you all the very best with this amazing show. Can’t wait to see it!
BMM: It’s been a pleasure, thanks Sam – hope you enjoy the show.
LP: This is such a wonderful show that doesn’t come along very often in Adelaide – it’s one of those shows that has an enduring message about the value of time, friendship and the message that life can be short; that we should fight for what we believe in and value every moment. It’s going to be a special one, so I hope the theatre lovers of Adelaide don’t miss it!
TS: There’s something truly special about this show, and something very special about the team that has brought this production to life. It’s not one to miss and we can’t wait to see you there.
RENT previews October 6 and runs for a strictly limited season, October 7-15, at The Queens Theatre in Adelaide. Tickets start at $35.00 and are on sale now from rentadl.au.
