Highland Park Players’ ‘RENT’ Will Have You Rocking Out In Your Seat

With a cohesive new production, Highland Park Players’ RENT will remind you why this show has become a beloved classic. Great voices, lots of passion, and an incredible score.

I first saw RENT in 1997, when it was on tour around the country after opening on Broadway the year before. I was born with musicals in my blood and the likes of Pippin and Annie playing on the record player at home, but this was different. This was remarkable. RENT propelled us into the next generation of musicals and, for me, it was a moment that I’ll always remember. It will always hold a special place in my heart and because of that, I have high hopes whenever I see a new production.

RENT is the story of a group of friends in New York City at the end of the 1990s, when AIDS was prevalent and a likely death sentence. Mark (a filmmaker) and Roger (a songwriter and guitarist) live in a building owned by Benny, their former roommate, who agreed to charge them no rent. Tom Collins, a philosopher and professor (also their former roommate), comes back into town and meets Angel (a drag queen) on the street. Roger encounters Mimi (a dancer with a drug habit) in a meet-cute in his apartment, and they hit it off. Benny approaches his former roommates and tries to make a deal that if they can get Maureen (Mark’s ex-girlfriend who is now dating Joanne) to cancel her protest (of Benny and businesses trying to move people out of their neighborhood), he will allow them to continue living there for free.

The Highland Park Players’ new staging of RENT is fantastic. With quality vocalists, engaging performers, and a score that you have to love to execute it well, this show is one you want to see.

Set with two large scaffolds (one three-tier and one two-tier) as well as the entrance steps to an apartment building and a platform with the band at the back, the cast makes full use of the stage, sometimes on different levels. The outside wings of the stage and the aisles are also used.

There is a preshow with various cast members hanging out or chatting with each other. Angel sits on the ground drumming on a white bucket, Roger is in his apartment working on music, and various ensemble members are chatting on the apartment steps. Other members of the cast also enter and exit.

Costumes reflect each character well, with Benny sporting a gold chain, gold bracelet, and gold watch, Mimi wearing a leopard-printed catsuit, and both Joanne and Maureen in leather pants. Roger is in plaid pajama pants, and the ensemble is in a bevy of colors and textures reminiscent of 70s and 90s clothing (there was a healthy crossover there, if you remember).

There is a larger than usual ensemble in this cast, so it’s interesting to see how they utilize it. Larger group numbers (like “Rent” or “La Vie Boheme”) incorporated everyone at tables or in the dance numbers, and smaller numbers occasionally cycled in extra performers who added to the peripheral action. Interestingly, two cast members even join Maureen as part of “Over The Moon.” I had never seen that done before, but it absolutely worked and made for a unique experience.

While the entire score of RENT is enjoyable, there were a few standout numbers in this production. “Christmas Bells,” which incorporates the entire cast in layered vocals and constant music can be really tricky, but it was phenomenally orchestrated. “Tango Maureen” was funny and charming, as Mark and Joanne lament about the woman in their life, and “I’ll Cover You: Reprise” was emotional across the board. Most of the cast members had tears, and I could hear the sniffles all around me in the audience.

All of the performers are incredibly talented, love the show, and are very invested, but there were a few standouts among the leads. Roberto Mata’s Roger had an undercurrent of pain and searching while continually holding himself together. It’s a tricky role, but he plays it beautifully (with an excellent rendition of “Glory”). Steven Labine’s Mark (often an underappreciated role because he is the narrator) is solid, but also lost and unsure. Mr. Mata and Mr. Labine’s performance of “What You Own” gave me the chills.

Catherine Rodriguez O’Connor’s Mimi was young and mature, but felt as if she had lots to learn and no one to learn it from. “Out Tonight” is one of the toughest songs in the show because of the vocal range, and she absolutely killed it. Kameron Rojas-Schueneman’s Angel was sweet and funny (with red pumps during “Today 4 U”), and Amanda Donohoe’s Maureen was sassy and forward.

Overall, this is a great production with fantastic performers, a talented band, and a palpable love of the show emanating from the stage. Be sure to buy your tickets for next weekend, it won’t be here long!

RENT runs for approximately 2 hours 45 minutes including one 15-minute intermission.

Highland Park Players RENT Chicago Review – RENT is playing at McGrath Family Performing Arts Center through 7/27/2025. Tickets can be purchased on their website or by calling (224) 212-0477. The McGrath Family Performing Arts Center is located at 1100 Laramie Ave in Wilmette.