Written by orange• February 3, 2025• 5:06 pm• Mission Viejo, Musical, Review, Uncategorized, Z Playhouse

Rent @ Z Playhouse in Mission Viejo – Review

Photo credit: Francis Gacad

Written by Patrick Chavis

Rent is now playing at the Z Playhouse from January 24 to February 9, 2025.

This bare-bones production of Rent from the late, great Jonathon Larson at its worst sucks the energy out of some really iconic songs but, at its best, it’s slightly innovative.

If you have followed our humble page for a few years, you know this isn’t our first rodeo with the material (Rent) and won’t be our last. I’m sure of that. It will keep running until it falls out of relevance, and unless you have kept your head under a rock, that doesn’t seem to be coming anytime soon. So keep your friends close, care, and love deeply no matter who you are or who you love. Rent is over a decade old and is the story of artists trying to survive in New York around the late 1980s, besides covering the effects AIDS had on the population at the time. The play’s message about deep acceptance, love, and family for all ilks, straight, LGBTQ+, and what that can look like in harmony hit a strong chord in the 1990s, winning the play a Tony Award for Best Musical, sadly after its creator passed away. What’s not sad is the legacy the musical has continued to share with the world, even when hate, intolerance, and misinformation try to shut it down. A new generation discovers Rent, and the fight continues.

Story:

This production stays true to the original story. The Co-Directors, Charlie Massey and Anthony Tuason add their own touches in the unique way they use video backdrops (well-lit backdrops, by the way). One of my favorite moments in the show is Maureen’s (Nadia Salina Salvia) tune, Over the Moon, with a whole video wall and chorus singing backup during her performance (peep the photo below for reference).

Nadia Salina Salvia

They utilize several different video backgrounds, the most effective of which is the one with actual movement, like the one behind Angel in the tune “Contact,” which looks like moving red bolts of lightning.

Set Design/Lighting:

Instead of relying on physical set pieces, the production primarily uses darkness and light to its advantage. Though it might have been where I was sitting in the theatre, one of the spotlights seemed to find its way right into my eyes on multiple occasions. I chalk it up to the fun of live theatre. Mild blindness is all a part of the show. Only the strong! Only the strong! While the height of the Z Playhouse isn’t so high, the depth of the stage provides quite a bit of space, and much of the rest is filled with ensemble and cast throughout the musical.

Ensemble

Acting:

Many of the singers had mics, and the pre-recorded music was well-balanced throughout the night—serious props to the sound department, which included Levi Montoya.

When sung as an ensemble, the group sounded pretty good overall. However, pitch and vocal strain issues were quite apparent in this performance.

Some of the more memorable moments,

“Tango Maureen” with Joanne (Gisela Flores) and Mark (Jack Buford). I loved the dancing and the chemistry between these two when they both realized they could tango. The scene is perfectly awkward and smooth; I know that might sound contradictory. I loved it, and they really pulled off the choreography for the tune.

From the ensemble cast: Kristin Grace and Makenna Green—lovely full vocals and presence.

If we are talking consistency, one of the strong performances came from Daniel Velazquez as the lead Roger Davis. Look no further than his tunes between Mimi (Sarah Ledesma) and Mark (Jack Buford).

While the vision seemed somewhat fragmented in execution, this showing is undeniably Rent, challenging yes, but so important.