Christmas bells are indeed ringing.

Because my review doesn’t need coherence to anchor it, I’m going to do bullets.

• Given the time constraints, they were actually able to put up a decent show and make the most of what’s available for them. Of course this is because I am under the assumption that this was the first time they’re doing the production in a movie house. Although I still think that it had inferior production value. But that’s just me thinking it could have been produced with great flamboyance.
• Since I’ve already mentioned that the play was held in a movie house, I would like to point out that the audience must remember they’re not watching Twilight or My Amnesia Girl. In other words, no popcorn, no latecomers, no other cinema habits.
• There were some minor glitches but these were forgivable.
• Mian Dimacali as Maureen was a revelation. One reviewer noted that she still needs to find a way to include her name in the “Actresses Who Successfully Played Maureen” list, but I personally believe she already did. Her rendition of Over The Moon was spectacular and she made it her own. It was quirky, it was eccentric, it was prudent, considering she was a newcomer.
• I’m still half-half about Sheree Bautista’s performance as Mimi. There were some off moments, and there were some tender ones. I particularly liked her rendition of Without You, I thought that was her moment. Her Light My Candle performance was mediocre. But she was very gorgeous on stage so I sort of overlooked everything.
• Lorenz Martinez’s performance as Benny was forgettable. His character was even overshadowed by some minor ones like Mark’s mom, et al. Benny’s character helps us realize the level of anger and wrath the other characters are feeling, and eventually we empathize with them. Benny in this Rent just fell short.
• To label Rent as simply a musical about homosexuals or drugs is to misjudge its power and intention. Yes, there will always be the usual gapes from first timers, but neglect what’s on the surface and try to dissect it. Try to discover what’s hidden underneath because Rent is more than a play. Rent depicts everyone’s lives.
• Despite the glitches, despite the flaws, despite the mishaps, you can’t just dislike and give a bad rave because it’s so easy to overlook these. Rent is Rent, the musical that changed Broadway forever. We are always left helpless basking in Jonathan Larson’s brilliance. And I think this is the secret mojo of Rent. You look past the technical aspects, and just let yourself be part of everything. Viva, La Vie Boheme!

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