Thirty years ago, RENT opened on Broadway to critical acclaim, drawing sold-out audiences nightly. This revolutionary musical (with book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson) dramatically increased the popularity of musical theater among younger audiences. During its triumphant 12-year run, the production grossed an astounding $280 million. Three decades after its debut, RENT remains one of the most popular musicals in history, and Compass Rose Theater is currently bringing this cultural phenomenon to Maryland’s Anne Arundel County. Brilliantly directed by Stephen Emery, the production features an extraordinary 13-member cast who deliver a masterclass in acting through music.
Based on Puccini’s opera La Bohéme, and told entirely through song, RENT tells the story of struggling friends and artists living in 1990s New York City. Mark Cohen (a documentary filmmaker) and Roger Davis (a rock musician) are roommates facing impending eviction from their landlord, Benjamin “Benny” Coffin III. Mark’s girlfriend, a performance artist named Maureen Johnson, leaves him for Joanne Jefferson, an Ivy League-educated lawyer. Mimi Marquez is a dancer who grapples with drug addiction. Angel Dumott Schunard, a drag queen and street percussionist, is in a relationship with Tom Collins, an NYU professor who aspires to open a restaurant in Santa Fe. Over the course of a tumultuous year, this group experiences the impact of the AIDS crisis while navigating love, loss, creativity, and survival.
Top row (back): Sydney Forrester Wilson, DeMario Adams-Holiday, Christian Gonzalez, Willie Hadnot Jr., Tyler M. White; center: Otega Okurume, Azaria Oglesby, Sam Slottow, Olivia Cholewczynski, Alexandra Baca, Cameren Evans; front: J.C. Bost, Ryan Alexander in ‘RENT.’ Photo by Joshua Hubbell.
Sam Slottow (Mark Cohen) and Ryan Alexander (Roger Davis) each give marvelous performances. Slottow depicts Mark’s undying passion for filmmaking with an engaging tenor voice and demonstrates sharp precision in his dance technique in “Tango Maureen” and “La Vie Bohéme.” Alexander’s spectacular rock vocals are on full display in “One Song Glory,” and his beautiful interpretation of “Your Eyes” heartwarmingly conveys his love for Mimi. Both performers excel in their duet, “What You Own,” in which their voices mesh exquisitely. Azaria Oglesby’s dynamic portrayal of Mimi Marquez is marked by her magnetic stage presence and spectacular singing. She presents captivating chemistry with Alexander, and the duo is enchanting in their scenes. An impressively versatile singer, Oglesby displays powerhouse rock vocals in “Out Tonight” and delivers a stirring ballad in “Without You.”
Ally Baca is tremendously entertaining as Maureen Johnson, presenting an array of hilarious character voices alongside boisterous physical comedy in “Over the Moon.” As Joanne, Cameren Evans colorfully expresses her frustration with Maureen’s free spirit and the friction that their stark personality differences cause in their relationship. Evans and Baca deliver a sensational rendition of “Take Me or Leave Me,” and this duet showcases their remarkable vocal ranges. Christian Gonzalez vividly portrays Angel Dumott Schunard, delivering a vibrant tenor voice and an energetic dance routine in “Today 4 U.” Demario Adams-Holiday (featured on season 19 of NBC’s The Voice) is flawless as Tom Collins, and his kind, caring behavior toward Gonzalez is heartwarming. Adams-Holiday’s tear-jerking rendition of “I’ll Cover You” earned extended applause, and his emotional presentation was entrancing. As Benny, Willie Hadnot Jr. ideally characterized the landlord’s businesslike demeanor while also presenting a rich baritone in “You’ll See.”
The nimble five-person ensemble (J.C. Bost, Tyler M. White, Olivia Cholewczynski, Otega Okurume, and Sydney Forrester Wilson) collectively plays dozens of distinct roles, often transitioning among complex personas in seconds. This quintet performs with contagious enthusiasm and remarkable skill. Bost’s resounding vocals shine through as a featured soloist in the finale, and White’s comedic recurring cameo in “Christmas Bells” elicited hearty laughter. Cholewczynski’s dual role as Mark’s doting mother and the overzealous news reporter, Alexi Darling, was particularly noteworthy, and she was delightful in both parts. Okurume’s heartbreaking solo in “Will I?” was profoundly poignant, and he exudes confidence when leading this song. Forrester Wilson is outstanding as the “Seasons of Love” soloist, and her stratospheric vocal range was warmly received.
Musical director Paige Rammelkamp expertly leads the band and vocalists, and both teams work in tandem to render Larson’s iconic score. Elda Trombley’s intricate choreography encompasses a variety of dance styles, from sinuous tango to raucous hip-hop. Scenic designer Sean Urbantke cleverly accents the set’s walls with records and posters from CBGB (a defunct New York City club), adding a historical touch as a remnant of the 1990s music scene. Steph Condon’s faultless sound design perfectly balances the band and the vocalists, with neither overpowering the other. This faultless mix never wavered throughout the entire play, upholding through pieces of vastly different volumes.
RENT at Compass Rose Theater is sure to be a highlight of the “525,600 minutes” of 2026, and local audiences should take full advantage of the opportunity to experience this pop culture classic. Because the production is entirely sung-through (in the style of an opera), it is highly recommended that those unfamiliar with the plot read through the story ahead of time. Filled with unforgettable songs, this presentation is sure to elicit profound emotion, making it well worth the trip to Anne Arundel Community College. Tickets are selling quickly, so don’t wait “Another Day” to book your seats!
Running Time: Two hours and 40 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission.
RENT plays through March 8, 2026, presented by Compass Rose Theater, performing at Anne Arundel Community College (Humanities Room 112), 101 College Parkway, Arnold, MD. Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets ($10–$55, plus fees) can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 410-980-6662.
Content Warning: This production contains adult language and themes, depictions of homophobia, substance abuse and addiction, death, and housing vulnerability.
Rent
Book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Directed by Stephen Emery
Musical Direction by Paige Rammelkamp
Choreography by Elda Trombley
