Sunday, May 6, 2012

RENT: Crafton Hills College


Last night, May 5th, 2012, I got to see the coolest show ever. The local community college, Crafton Hills, put on the best rendition of RENT in existence, short of seeing the actual Broadway performance. I was more than impressed; I was downright thrilled.

My girlfriend, Eliza, had worked very hard as stage manager over the last several months, and I was finally able to see why: Each and every character was nothing short of brilliant; each singer had a voice to die for; the costumes and stage and props were out of this world; I didn’t notice a single mistake; there were surprises, laughs, cries, and joy around every corner.

I’m not exaggerating in the slightest when I say that the show must have been one of the best college theater performances in the history of college theater performances. Two thumbs way up, and that’s only because I don’t have more thumbs. Seriously.

In fact, the only disappointing thing about the play is that it isn’t happening again. I would go next weekend, the one after, and the one after that to see such an awe-inspiring performance. It was a total steal at the ten-dollar entrance price. I would pay thirty to see it again.

My hat is off to those who worked so damned hard on such a fine thing. I wish bright futures for all involved. I have also had the pleasure to attend a couple social gatherings with the cast, and they are such cool people that my mind is permanently blown. Had I known any better, I’d have gotten into theater in college. You couldn’t ask for a more intriguing group to have a few beers with.

If life had a rewind button, I’d be sitting in that theater, waiting for the show to start, right now.

 I would.

1 comment:

Dennis said...

I'm so glad to hear the theatre dept at Crafton is alive and well. I'm an alumnus of the college and the Redlands Theatre Festival and was thrilled to find this review on web.