Review of RENT: School Edition

This weekend, SCT's Drama School presented the musical "RENT: School Edition", and they rocked the house. Maybe you saw them last week on KING 5 Morning News or Evening Magazine, or maybe you even made it in to see the show, but for the rest of you, SCT Teen Reviewer Kathryn L. tells you what you missed:

It was a hot summer day, and I was dying in the heat. We had just come back from a trip in the South were it was just about as hot, they only difference there was air conditioning. We had been eating out and going to movies just for the privilege of spending maybe an hour to two hours in a blessed building that had air con. Then, my mom shows me the email; I get to review RENT: School Edition at Seattle Childrens Theatre. More air conditioning! I was estatic.

However, when I got there, and saw quite a few people from my school's drama program had come to watch, it became clear to me that this wasn’t just an air conditioning paradise, this was an air conditioning paradise with entertainment! And despite the young age of the actors, the play definitely had a professional feel.

About the acting, Zane Cimino made a very effective drag queen who probably was the favorite character of the audience considering how loud they clapped each time Angel came on. Jon Llarenas? His solo at the memorial most definitely brought tears to the audience’s eyes. Matt Lang did a good job at being the voice from the outside in as well as Mark, and Camden Morris as Roger along with Kelsey Schergen as Mimi made a very sweet picture and a lot of extra dynamic. Maddie Polyak (Joanne) and Natalee Merrill-Boyet (Maureen) did a good job at playing a falling-apart couple who still are trying to make it work (on one part at least). Then, Frazier Willman did an amazing portrayal of a man outcast from his friends because he became uppity. As for the rest of the cast, they were just as suburb and amazing as the eight lead roles, especially the Season of Love soloists - great job. I loved the Christmas Bells Are Ringing song, and the answering machine bits.

All in all, exquisite acting and phenomenal singing made The Seattle Children’s Theatre version of the Broadway Musical turned movie, RENT all the more enjoyable.

Chatting with the "RENT" cast

Last night, our Summer Season cast of RENT: School Edition had the opportunity to see the professional tour of RENT, including Broadway originals Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, at the Paramount Theatre. After the performance, the professional cast met with our students for a chat-back.


It was an amazing experience. The professional cast treated our students with an incredible amount of respect, seriously considering their questions and speaking to them as fellow artists.


And our students were beside themselves. Not only did they get a chance to talk with artists pursuing the careers to which they aspire, but they were also able to pick the brains of people currently living in the roles the students will soon undertake.


Many thanks to the cast, Broadway Across America, and the Paramount Theatre for making this special evening happen.


And, thanks to Evening Magazine, who filmed the meeting. We'll update this post as soon as we know when the segment will air.