Why are audiences being blown away by HBTI's production of RENT?
"Honestly, often we don't go out of our way to see shows featuring young adult performers. But when student productions are extraordinary, there's a special kind of excitement you don't get anywhere else,” said theatre director/actor Michael Dempsey. “I was there to support the director. But ten minutes into the show, something happened. This was a professional-level production. Every actor had powerful voices and serious acting talent. And they were being directed so skillfully... I walked out of there utterly blown away. The icing on the cake was this extra level of appreciation that the audience clearly shared: we'd been given this gift by these young people who were so serious about their craft. And I realized that I might have denied myself this experience. I'll never think the same way about young people's theatre again."
Last Friday night, the audience for Hathaway Brown Theatre Institute's production of RENT had the same kind of experience, as evidenced by TWO spontaneous standing ovations during the show and the following kinds of reactions:
"I have...attended local shows in the past few years and have enjoyed them all. But this show was the best directed, produced and performed show I've ever seen. The singing and acting were absolutely phenomenal. This was Broadway in Ohio – I wholeheartedly recommend it for anyone! Truly amazing!" – Jeff Urbaniak
"It was easy to be moved to tears throughout this extraordinary production...and even easier to be pulled to my feet like a magnet before the final note was even sung. It was just that powerful. Thank you for moving me in that way." – Staci Adelman Vincent
"Wow! The emotion, energy, and talent that graced the stage at HBTI last night was phenomenal! The connection between the audience and the performers was amazing. Everyone in the theatre took a journey of love, pain, loss, joy, and friendship together, rising up as one for a standing ovation like I've never experienced." – Julie Billinghurst
"I don't have adequate words to describe the performance of Rent that we saw today. Fearless, amazing, stunning, moving. The audience was both brought to tears, and lifted to a standing ovation. The production was as good as many professional performances we've seen.... Bravo!" – Cindy Saltzer
"All the actors were amazing. I can't get over all the powerful voices. Cheers to you all!!!" – Beth Gumbel
Come see why HBTI's shows are winning awards and garnering such rich praise. RENT's final weekend of performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, July 9-11 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 12 at 2:00 p.m..
Performances are in the Ahuja Auditorium at Hathaway Brown School, 19600 North Park Blvd., Shaker Heights, Ohio 44122. Tickets are $11-15 and can be purchased online at www.hb.edu/tickets, by calling 216-932-4214 x7270 or at the door (if available) the day of the performance.