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Plus an interview with Choreographer Shelley Stewart Hunt When and Where September 5 - 20, 2025; evenings at 7.30pm, Matinees on September 7,13,14 & 20 at 2pm| Metro Theatre, 1370 SW Marine Drive, Vancouver Director
Shel Piercy Music Director Sylvia M. Zaradic
Choreography Shelley Stewart Hunt Lighting Design
Jonathan Kim Sets & Costume Design Starlynn Chen
Sound Mixing Christopher King Stage
Manager Dek Green Intimacy Coordinator Lisa
Goebel Reviewer Christian Steckler |
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Metro Theatre has outdone itself with this production of RENT! The usual excellent fare offered up by Metro is more than matched by the stunningly engaging performances of all the actors, musicians, and behind-the-scenes crew in this production. Thanks must go to the producers, Mary Cleaver and Jo Sears for bringing the show to this stage, and to the genius of director, Shel Piercy whose vision and imagination has created this powerfully immersive version of the now-classic RENT. Set in New York in the 1990s, a time before same-sex marriage and multi-gender recognition, when AIDS was ravaging victims whom the public feared and vilified, when addiction was already rampant, the production focuses on a year in the lives of a group of young people struggling to stay afloat and find their way in the difficult circumstances in which they find themselves. This ‘found family’ celebrates victories and endures crushing defeats together, caring for each other with all variations and intensities of love and support. While the spirit - and work - of survival runs through the background of this production, serving as its backdrop, the predominant spirit is the power of connection and love in all its aspects…the comfort of it, the help it brings, the confusion and misunderstanding that come with it, and amazement in its joy and power to uplift the spirit. Every single one of the performers shines. While the action centres predominantly on the universally stellar performances of the characters Mark (Pier Francesco Marchi), Roger (Laren Steppler), Mimi (Nicole Laurent), Tom (Vicente Sandoval), Angel (Kurtis D’Aoust), Benjamin (Matthew Valinho), Maureen (Paula Higgins), and Joanne (Mary Cleaver), all the members of the ensemble, each carrying multiple roles, deserve special credit for the energetic and touching performances they give. The singing and dancing by the entire cast is stunning without exception. Strong voices, beautiful harmonics, touching acting, energetic (at times acrobatic) dancing, all are prime evidence of a deep and precious pool of talent and commitment present in Vancouver’s theatrical community. The musicians supporting them, Sean Bayntun, Mark Richardson, Jane Milliken, Boyd Grealy, and Monica Sumulong Dumas deserve equal praise for their exceptional performance. The production team - sets and costumes, lighting, sound, stage management, choreography, music direction, intimacy coordination, prop design and construction, and board operation - perform the unseen heroics behind the scenes that make the magic before our eyes. RENT
has become a classic with its own cult following, who take every opportunity
to see any production that comes along. It is a genuine emotional banquet
for those few who have never seen it. This is an absolutely breathtaking
version, powerfully engaging, emotionally immersive, and stunningly well-performed.
An interview with Choreographer Shelley Stewart Hunt Shelley Stewart Hunt is a professional artist who works as a dancer and actor, she is also sought after as a choreographer, and a movement coach. She is currently teaching in the Creative Arts Program at Langara College while fine-tuning rehearsals for the Metro Theatre production of Jonathon Larson’s RENT. Interviewer John Anthony Jane I spoke to Shelley over the phone last Friday, and asked her how she had enjoyed working on RENT. She seemed very enthusiastic about the show. “It’s going well! It’s the second time that I’ve had the opportunity to work on this exiting, vibrant show. The first time was at North Vancouver’s Centennial Theatre in 2016.” RENT is an ensemble piece, with cast members needing different skill sets. I asked Shelley if she had a method of creating choreography for varying levels of dancer’s strengths and talent. “I’ve worked on TUTS (Theatre under the Stars) productions where we would get a mix of professionals along with emerging talent. I use the natural strengths that the individual artist brings and allow the music to dictate the movement.” Following up, I asked “Did you need to come up with original choreography for RENT, or did you keep it simple?” ”There was nothing really specified. I worked with ensemble dance captain Hailey Fowler and together we created it all from the beginnings.” I was curious to learn about how injuries are avoided – especially during long rehearsals. Shelley was pretty clear on the issue. “We haven’t had any injuries so far. The stage manager and the intimacy coordinator are involved with ongoing discussions with the artists to make sure that repetition, inappropriate footwear and even awkward sets are minimized and serious incidents mitigated.” Like many young people who choose a career in the creative arts, Shelley grew up in a nurturing family that encouraged her in a number of different activities. Both of her parents were teachers, so as a result, she got involved in high school musicals. “I was always singing and dancing and early on went on a national tour of CATS,” she affirmed with some pride. “I was one of the ‘cat characters’ that went out into the audience.” In speaking with Shelley, I realized that I had enjoyed some of her previous work without being aware at the time, so was interested in knowing which dance styles she most experienced in. “I’ve been exposed to all dance styles. I grew up participating in a lot of jazz dance, as well as figure-skating, acrobatics, tap-dancing and Polynesian dance forms” was her generous response. Following up on a similar thought, I asked Shelley “What would you consider to be the most successful project you have ever worked on?” “Everything I’ve done!” she proclaimed with some amusement. “But really, whatever I’m working on at the time I try to make it my most success project. I recently worked on Waitress for the Arts Club, which was a rewarding experience.” “Working with a young cast on Beauty and the Beast with TUTS was a personally satisfying project.” After talking with Ms. Stewart Hunt for about half an hour, It struck me that while she may take her work seriously, she likely didn’t take herself seriously, so I asked if she concerned herself with receiving criticism about her dance syntax. “Not really, not everyone takes away the same thing from dance. I just want people to come out and see for themselves – I don’t judge reactions.” I’ll be coming out next week to see RENT for myself – with a special interest in the choreography. © 2025 John Anthony Jane |
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Metro
Theatre in Partnership with The Mary Cleaver Real Estate Group