Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...This cast nails the ensemble moments, from the vulnerability of “Will I?” to the radical energy of “La Vie Boheme.” Josh Pablo Szabo is an electric Angel, commanding the stage in life and channeling the cast’s collective passion in passing. Lucy Godínez makes a strong case for Maureen’s performance art to be its own, separate production. Finally, David Moreland as Mark and Shraga D. Wasserman as Roger give the best-friend energy that helps land the plane on hope for the future."
Windy City Times - Recommended
"...Director Adrian Abel Azevedo has done almost everything right with this production, completely erasing iconic images of Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel or Daphne Ruben-Vega in their stage and film productions of Rent. In their place, Azevedo has put together a multi-cultural, multi-gender, multi-shaped company of people who look utterly real, and who sing the hell out of Jonathan Larson's score. Azevedo is strongly partnered with musical director Michael McBride, who leads the company to highly-individual and original interpretations of the music, and makes the five-piece band sound like an orchestra; never too loud but always rich. It's an extraordinarily talented company, and you should see Rent for that alone."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...After its opening 26 years ago in a small off-Broadway theater, Rent is one of those meaningful rock musicals that have thrilled audiences since hitting the stage in 1996. And Porchlight's Rent continues that great storyline of love."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Directed by Adrian Abel Azevedo, this edition or version of the play has some unique twists. The main character Mark Cohen ( deftly handled by David Moreland) is a video guy who has a desire to do a film about the struggles of the artists during their attempt to attain the lofty success they desire. His apartment mate, Roger Davis (played to perfection by Shraga D. Wasserman) is a songwriter but dreams of leaving the Big Apple if he doesn’t make it soon. Neither of these actors look like any of the previous actors playing these roles, but they are both solid actors who have wonderful voices that can handle what Larson wrote."
Buzznews.net - Highly Recommended
"...The cast is superb. Both cast and production crew are extensive, so I'll refer the reader to the webpage for details I may inadvertently omit. Outstanding in the cast are the main characters, beginning with Mark Cohen (David Morelandh/h) and Roger Davis (Shraga D. Wasserman th/th), with Maureen Johnson (Lucy Godínezsh/h) playing opposite Joanne Jefferson (Teressa LaGambash/h). The pairing of Tom Collins (Eric Lewish/h) and Angel Dumott Schunard (Josh Pablo Szaboh/th) has incredible chemistry, and Benjamin "Benny" Coffin III (Abraham Shawh/h) is a perfect mustache-twirling villian, particularly in his treatment of Mimi Marquez (Alix Rhodesh/h)."
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"...Larson’s RENT is all about the music. Under the musical direction of Michael McBride and choreography of Laura Savage, the ensemble bring their A-game! “La Vie Boheme” and “Happy New Year” are big festive numbers celebrating the makeshift artistic community. And the ensemble opens the second act with a powerhouse “Seasons of Love” led by an impressive Bridget Adams-King. The soulful reflection counts down the 526,600 minutes in measurements of sunsets, cups of coffee and love. Gorgeous!"
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Recommended
"...Director Adrian Abel Azevedo may put a little more capital-B Broadway gloss on Larson’s opus than he may have wanted, even if the latter had those stages in his sights, but there is genuine warmth to his vision. Part time capsule, part investigation in how far we’ve come and how far we’ve to go, part operatic shamelessness—it’s still a compelling life-or-death mess. Ably presented by a cast that no doubt grew up with this material and knows it backwards and forwards, standouts include Lucy Godínez and Teressa LaGamba as the slap-slap-kiss Maureen and Joanne, respectively. And, as Porchlight’s target demographic starts enfolding more and more Gen Xers and Millennials, music director Dr. Michael McBride successfully preserves that authentic rock sound."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...I’m a huge fan of Rent (one of only a handful of musicals ever to be awarded the Pulitzer Prize), and this highly original production is going to replay in my mind for a long time. Lewis’s reprise of “I’ll Cover You” at Angel’s memorial is one of the most powerfully sad versions of that song I’ve ever heard. Get your tickets now: you don’t want to miss this year’s Rent."
PicksInSix - Recommended
"...The historic Ruth Page Center for the Arts was fully transformed into the shadowy streets of 90's New York City with Porchlight Music Theatre's opening night performance of Jonathan Larson's Rent. Although nearly 3 hours long, including one intermission, with masks required inside the theater, each act bustled by like Manhattan rush hour. The energy and commitment of a cast willing to risk it all was rocking!"
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...Porchlight's production is full of high-energy dancing, outstanding voices, and a talented troupe of performers. Incorporating live video with the staging allows the story to be told in a new, compelling way. The set design utilizes a clever cassette tape as the main focus with a live band sitting behind it. Helping tell the story is the lighting that goes from darkness to light. Kudos to costume designer Gregory Graham for his realistic costumes of the early 90s."
BroadwayWorld - Highly Recommended
"...Jonathan Larson's 1996 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winning musical RENT comes to life in a Porchlight production that captures the ethos of the original Broadway production. It also the fresh energy of the musical's message about love, acceptance, and living in the moment."
