If you're going to inaugurate your Theatre Arts program, why not do it with a bang? Or, at least, an electric guitar. That's the theory behind Sacred Heart University's upcoming production of "Rent," the Pulitzer Prize-winning, rock musical by Jonathan Larson, based on Puccini's "La Boheme." It will be playing at The Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts, from Thursday through Sunday.
Jerry Goehring, Executive Director for Edgerton, who's also directing this show, says, why not start with a splash?
"With a play this strong, there's a certain amount of controversy, of course. It's about homelessness and AIDS and drugs. But, it's important to get past the controversy to see what a great, moving show this is. Even though most of the students who are in it, were 4 or 5 when 'Rent' was on Broadway, they still know it's relevant. Obviously, we had a great response when we announced auditions; 100 kids came."
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Goehring says that, aside from the eight principle roles, he has found use for a number of these other students on the stage.
"We will have about 45 people onstage, most of the play," Goehring says. "Where the Broadway version would have one cop or one junkie, we'll have a whole bunch. To get as many people onstage as possible."
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This production of "Rent" will also have a full band and a few "pros" brought in from the area, to strengthen this novice cast.
"It will be good to have some professionals with these students," says Goehring. "If they're surrounded by veterans, they'll all benefit."
One student, who sounds like he won't need such assurance, is freshman Paul Cappadona, playing the role of "Mark." This young man, still focused on philosophy at Sacred Heart University, sounds like he's slowly being seduced by a life on the stage.
"I did a couple of musicals when I was in high school," says Cappadona. "One was 'A Funny Thing Happened To Me On The Way To The Forum.' I've also performed, in general, since I was a kid, especially in front of a video camera. I really love philosophy, Socrates, especially. But doing 'Rent' has really been thrilling."
One of the new aspects of performing that Cappadona says he's found exciting, has been the dancing involved in this new production.
"I have a number to do, called, 'The Tango Maureen,' which is the first time I've ever had to dance onstage. Luckily, I have a dance partner, Lindsay McGrath, who was a pro before she came to Sacred Heart. She used to dance on cruise ships. I don't think I could have learned the tango without her."
"Sacred Heart has had a group called 'The Shoe Players,' for some time," says director Goehring. "But they could never have imagined doing something like this. It may be our first play, but I don't think anyone who comes to see 'Rent', is going to be thinking that by the time the show is over."
"Rent" will be presented from Thursday to Sunday at The Edgerton Center for the Performing Arts. On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, it will be performed at 8:00 p.m. On Sunday, it will be performed at 3 p.m.
Tickets are $22 for the general public; $18 for seniors; $10 for non-SHU students with ID. For more information, call 203-371-7908.
