Sock ‘n’ Buskin Theatre overcame technical difficulties to stage a stunning rendition of Rent on its opening night Jan. 16.
The show’s audio issues were overshadowed by strong acting performances and powerful musical pieces that led the crowd into a standing ovation at the night’s end.
It was a long road leading up to that night for director Geoff Burnside, dating back to the initial casting in September.
“It’s really a slow curve up to a really steep peak,” Burnside said of the process. “The past two weeks have been incredibly stressful.”
That sentiment was shared by the actors in the hours leading up to the play. Alex Brunjes played the role of flamboyant drag queen Angel Dumott Schunard.
“Butterflies, nothing but butterflies,” Brunjes said of his feelings before the show.
“It’s been a long time coming, I’ve wanted to play this role for almost three or four years now.”
Much of the cast had a personal connection to Rent, which has developed a cult following since its debut in 1993. 
“I really like the story of Rent and it’s been one of my favourite musicals for years,” Burnside said.
Ciara Roberts delivered an enthralling performance as the seductive Mimi Marquez.
“Rent is an amazing piece of art in itself,” she said. “It was a musical that really brought new things to Broadway. It welcomes anyone, it welcomes all ideas and it’s just a celebration of life.”
Burnside acknowledged that doing such a well-loved production was an ambitious undertaking.
“I have to be 100 per cent confident with every choice that I make to ensure that the people who are true fans of Rent outside Sock ‘n’ Buskin aren’t disappointed, but the people who have never seen Rent can see our adaptation and become a fan of Rent,” he said.
Burnside kept his production true to the original for the most part, but had the challenge of adapting the show to the smaller stage of Kailash Mital Theatre. This meant having to work the band into the set, and getting creative with the set design.
It was a hectic final month of co-ordinating music, sets, and pulling together rehearsals, but when it came down to opening night, Burnside said he had faith in his cast.
“I think that the cast that we’ve assembled is really well meshed. Everyone from Angel to the ensemble cast really fit and they’ve really grown in their roles,” he said. “The cast has really gone above and beyond what I was hoping they would do to bring that extra level of life to the show.”
The chemistry between the actors was easy to see onstage. 
Brunjes’ first-ever drag performance as Angel created the beating heart of the show, while Roberts’ Mimi worked with Jordan King’s gut-wrenching performance of HIV-positive rocker Roger to drive an intense sexual and romantic message home.
The cast shone throughout the show and hit all of the emotional messages home. Burnside’s confidence in his actors paid off, and it seemed that even before the show started, he knew that the cast was ready to do something special.
“Come in with high expectations,” he said before the show. “We’ll match them.”
The show also runs Jan. 23-25.
