Flannery's impressive 'Rent' is a 'hipper and grungier' version of the Broadway classic

What began as a brilliant 12 year run on Broadway, has found new life on smaller stages since its original cast's recent final New York. Through mid- February, the Charleston Music Hall will host the much-beloved "Rent," boasting a new cast and a new director.

It's a familiar and consistent theme repeated throughout history: poverty defines the lives of many great risk-takers and artists. Oddly, as the first notes of the powerful inroduction blast the audience, I can't help but compare the similarities of the New York-born storyline to our own Charleston roots- when Meeting Street, like the East Village was a "red-light" district or how today's climbing rent pushes poor students and the less fortunate out of the immediate downtown vicinity.

Though billed as "Rent," there are a handful of noticeable differences: a few plot and character tweaks made by Jimmy Flannery, the story remains the same - an evocative depiction of struggle, passion, and ultimately, fearless love. Yet, the Bohemians portrayed in Jonathan Larson's original production have taken on slightly new interpretation; in an information age with an expanded acceptance base for AIDS victims, the play has taken on a variety of subtle changes. It's a tale that's malleable at the core and though the essence of the plot remains the same, off-Broadway directors can now apply the premise to a modern decade.

Equally as impressive as the modernized performance was the visual drama of the physical surroundings provided by talented set designer Tripp Storm. Robbie Kenney, the show's band director, gushed about the ingenuity of set designer Storm. Kenney, herself a local music extraordinaire, found a few minutes post-play to discuss highlights.

"[Rent's]" set just blows Broadway's out of the water! It's just way hipper and grungier."

I have to agree - I was floored just walking in to the transformed Charleston Music Hall whose simple stage had been transformed into a multidimensional New York alley replete with catwalk and junk shed. Originally built as a Cabaret Theatre, the venue generally hosts musicians and small performances throughout the year, but it has never before seen a full stage play complete with a shed fully exposing the integrated band.

"We have no backstage or even wings where we could store our instrument cases," laughs Kenney, "so Tripp just 'distressed' them and placed them all in front of the stage like more old junk."

Rounding out the talented basis of "Rent" is the cast comprised by several New Yorkers, a few Southerners, and a surprising number of very talented locals. Brett Travis, as "Roger" belts out his many rock ballads, most notably "Without You" and Garrett Bruce as the cute and infectious narrator, "Mark." Scottie McLaughlin, a phenomenal New York vocal talent, truly made an impression in the "I'll Cover You Reprise." On a local note, a handful of the most beloved and poignant songs found life in the voices of breakout artists Tamara Saunders ("Seasons of Love soloist") and Alex Goss ("Will I"). Kendra Payne truly captured heartbreak and hilarity as "Joanne,' and no one will soon forget Rori Nogee's bare bottom in her enthusiastic portrayal of Maureen or Patrick Dorow's gravity-defying leap from floor to table in black platform stilettos. Additionally, the sexy Jennifer Fogarty heated up the stage even from the beginning with "Will You Light My Candle."

Ultimately, even away from Broadway, the play still evokes the hope and joy of living life to the very fullest, without fear of loss or of love. The life lessons and tragedies personified in each character transcend time and place and even translate to our hometown "stages."

If you go

What: 'Rent'

Where: Charleston Music Hall, 37 John St.

When: Runs through Feb. 14.

Tickets: $24.50-$32.50

More info and tickets: Visit www.rent-live.com