A Western Springs theater hopes the community is as eager to see “Rent” as the actors who will perform it.
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“The kids have been begging for this show,” said Micki Doherty, director of the musical to be performed this weekend by the Music Makers Theatre of Western Springs.
“They love this music. It’s vocally challenging and it really pushes them,” Doherty said.
In songs, such as “La Vie Boheme” and “One Song Glory,” the performers “can really let it rip,” Doherty said.
Stefan Tambik of Darien said his favorite song is “Out Tonight,” because of how high energy it is.
The play, which is loosely based on the opera “La Boheme,” is about a group of struggling artists and musicians living in the East Village in New York City.
Tambik plays the leader of a support group some of the characters attend as they deal with their careers, relationships and the HIV-AIDS epidemic.
“‘Rent’ is my all-time favorite show since I was 12,” said Ravyn Davis, 18, of Western Springs.
She has performed in the Music Makers shows all through high school at Lyons Township, Davis said.
“We definitely have very impressive sets and they hold us to a higher, more professional level,” Davis said.
She will play Mimi, an exotic dancer and an addict, as will 18-year-old Angel Alzeidan, as all the main roles are double cast.
“You hit every emotion as Mimi,” Davis said. “You hit all the bases.”
Katherine Kent of La Grange Park was introduced to the musical by her older sister.
“We used to watch the movie together,” Kent said.
Now, Kent is cast as Joanne in the Music Makers’ show and her two younger sisters, Mary Rose and Lilly, have smaller roles.
“As a performer, I would like to play Mimi, but it’s not me,” Kent said. “She is very sexy and dances in a strip club at night and I can’t dance.”
Jaycey Carlson, 19, could not be happier to play Joanne.
“It’s literally my number one dream role,” Carlson said, because Joanne “stands up for what she believes in.”
Michael Henehan, 19, of La Grange Park said the same thing about his role as Roger.
“Roger is a rock star going through a tough time. He recently found out he has the AIDS virus,” Henehan said.
He identifies with Roger, because he, too, plays in a band.
“On every level, we can connect with these characters,” Henehan said.
“On every level, we can connect with these characters,” Henehan said.
Doherty, the director, said the actors like the angst in the story, which is 180 degrees from the Music Makers’ prior musical, Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes.”
“It’s something they can sink their teeth in,” Doherty said.
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‘Rent’ performances
Where: Reber Center, at Lyons Township High School North Campus, 100 S. Brainard Ave., La Grange
Who: Music Makers Theatre
When: 7 p.m., Friday, July 12; 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 13; 3 p.m. Sunday, July 14
Tickets: Prices range from $15 to $30.
More information: www.musicmakerstheatre.com.