RENT
at Hayfield Secondary School

Reviewed on November 11, 2017

Aubrey Winger
Loudoun Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News

Although there may be 525,600 of them in a year, you don't want to waste another minute before witnessing the masterpiece that is Hayfield Secondary School's RENT. Overflowing with vocal talent and youthful adrenaline, this production is an ode to the triumph of the human spirit.

Created by Jonathan Larson as a semi-autobiographical interpretation of the opera "La Bohéme", RENT is a raw account of those inhabiting the destitute East Village at the height of the AIDS epidemic. The intricacies of everyday life in this decade are documented by filmmaker Mark Cohen, who watches his friends struggle with poverty, sexuality, and even love through the lens of his camera. This production that premiered Off-Broadway the day after Larson's sudden death, went on to become the 11th longest running show on Broadway, securing four Tony Awards in the process.

Mark Cohen (Corbin Farrell) brandished his trademark video camera and scarf with vivacity. A slave to his craft, he personified the term "starving artist," narrating the entire production with killer vocals and impish facial expressions. His roommate Roger Davis (Jackson Miller) had demons of his own, but chose to battle them with a guitar instead of a camera. His vocal abilities could only be described as masterful: the contrast between his rock star-esque croon in "One Song Glory" and his raw belt in "Your Eyes" perfectly encapsulated his authentic journey from a man consumed by his disease to one ready to accept love into his life. Mimi Marquez (Trish Hoang) drew Roger out of his shell with her sultry dance moves, incredible belting range, and tight leather pants.

Maureen Johnson (Shannon Flack) lived up to every expectation: the audience was "Over the Moon" for her long-anticipated grand motorcycle entrance and protest antics. Her uptight girlfriend, Joanne Jefferson (Hallie Strelsky), showed remarkable character development, transitioning from a girl head-over-heels for promiscuous Maureen to a woman that demands to be treated with respect. The tension between them grew exponentially, culminating in the electric duet "Take Me or Leave Me".

Tom Collins (Marek Brown) and Angel (Max von Kolnitz) seemed as if they were falling in love right before our eyes. The subtleties of their relationship, the innocent handholding and the sheepish smiles, made Angel's funeral incredibly impactful. Collins came into his own after Angel's death, delivering an astonishing breadth of emotion in his guttural, heart-wrenching rendition of "I'll Cover You (Reprise)" in the second act.

The ensemble, clad in an eclectic range of 90's fashion, consistently delivered the powerhouse vocals demanded by the score with grit and stamina. One member, Scarlett Alexander, brought down the house with her solo in "Seasons of Love".

One of the most interesting facets of the production was the use of old televisions as a multimedia display to enhance the entire performance. Song names, images, and dates flashed across the screens, perfectly in sync with the plot. The set was a picture of organized chaos. Everything, from the walls plastered with posters to Christmas lights and caution tape strung haphazardly across chain-link fences, gave the appearance of city slums. The moon, suspended from the ceiling, provided perfect romance lighting for intimate scenes between the numerous couples in the show. In fact, the lighting throughout the show was astounding, ranging from a golden glow to intense red and blue hues.

Rent not only means the payment at the end of the month, but to cause great emotional pain. Hayfield Secondary School's latest production, beautiful yet devastating, gave the audience a taste of both.

Diana Witt
Westfield High School
Submitted for publication to Cappies News 2

Fog rolls onto the stage, and crunching chords of an electric guitar beckon the audience to the grungy and destitute streets of Manhattan's Bohemian Alphabet City. Inside the chain link fence of the penniless district lie struggling artists trying to pave their way in New York City. With dazzling lighting effects, impressively seamless harmonies, and authentic, emotional moments, Hayfield Secondary School explored heavy themes of love and loss in their electrifying production of RENT.

Premiering in 1996, RENT is a rock musical that features a book and music by Jonathan Larson. The musical boasted great success on Broadway, running for twelve years. In 2005, it was adapted to a motion picture starring Idina Menzel and Rosario Dawson. Loosely based on Giacomo Puccini's opera, La Bohéme, RENT follows a group of Bohemians living in the poverty of New York's East Village in 1989. Facing struggles with drugs, sexuality, and the AIDS virus, the band of starving artists navigates relationships, all while searching for a way to pay their rent.

Corbin Farrell played aspiring filmmaker Mark Cohen. Serving as the show's narrator, Farrell drove the plot with honest and raw commentary. With camera in hand, Farrell provided an insider lens to the harsh realities of the AIDS epidemic. He also bolstered a rich and booming voice, featured in songs like "Rent." In the "Tango: Maureen," Farrell created an awkwardly strained relationship with Joanne, his ex-girlfriend's new lover, portrayed by Hallie Strelsky. As the educated Joanne, Strelsky embodied the overbearing perfectionist, while letting loose in vocally challenging songs like "Take Me or Leave Me."

Jackson Miller portrayed Roger, a washed-up rock musician, battling depression after his HIV diagnosis and the suicide of his girlfriend, April. Miller exposed the raw emotion of loss through his accurate characterization of the hopeless and downtrodden artist. He exhibited an extensive range of vocal prowess, as he displayed a lovely vibrato in "Your Eyes" and a bold rock-and-roll tone in "What You Own." Miller established a budding romance with Mimi, an exotic club dancer, drug addict, and HIV victim, played by Trish Hoang. The pair's voices blended together through flawless harmonies in the heart-wrenchingly beautiful song "Without You." As the promiscuous Mimi, Hoang demonstrated duality, as she masked the wretched reality of her addiction with a confident swagger. Hoang also showcased an impressive belt in "Out Tonight." A spirited ensemble completed the cast, showing commitment to their roles and commendable vocal talent, especially in the melodic "Seasons of Love."

Awe-inspiring technical aspects rounded out the production. A realistically detailed set adorned the stage, creating the grimy vibe of the city. Complete with dilapidated brick walls and a rugged chain link fence, the set utilized the stage space to include outdoor and indoor settings. One of the most notable set pieces was the store window which held TV screens that broadcast vibrant pictures and unique videos throughout the show. Brilliant lighting effects highlighted the diverse onstage moments. Dim lighting accentuated intimate scenes while colorful lighting shined on lively rock-and-roll musical numbers.

"Measure your life in love," urges the cast of RENT, as they learn to appreciate the beauty of life within numbered days. Hayfield Secondary School inspired the audience to cherish every moment in their poignant and heartfelt production.

Elizabeth Germain
West Springfield High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Community News

"How do you measure a year in the life?" According to the hit musical Rent, performed this weekend at Hayfield High School, you "measure in love."

Rent is a rock musical by Jonathan Larson, who tragically died the night before the show's off-Broadway opening in 1996. The show moved to Broadway on April 29 of that same year, won four Tonys, and ran for twelve years. It is loosely based on Puccini's opera La Boheme, and centers around a group of impoverished bohemian artists, many of whom are living with HIV/AIDS, struggling to survive in New York City's East Village in the early 1990's.

Corbin Farrell skillfully embodied filmmaker Mark Cohen by attentively observing and filming the interactions of other characters. He covered inevitable theatre slip-ups with ease, such as when he gave a casual I-no-longer-care shrug toward the phone when it fell off the table. Jackson Miller demonstrated astounding vocal control as Roger Davis, shifting easily from belting to falsetto, and the rock-and-roll quality of his voice fit the ex-rock star perfectly. He had strong chemistry with Trish Hoang as Mimi Marquez, and their interaction in the background made their relationship believable. Hoang infused Mimi with killer confidence, aided by incredible vocals, and was unafraid to demonstrate her character's promiscuity. Yet, she also portrayed her character's decline due to drug addiction with honest emotion, finally breaking down and agreeing to go to rehab.

Shannon Flack brought the energy of a diva to Maureen, well-balanced by Hallie Strelsky's more cautious attitude as Joanne. The relationship between Angel (Max von Kolnitz) and Collins (Marek Brown) appeared pure and honest, both in the romantic number "I'll Cover You" and in moments when they were in the background holding hands. Von Kolnitz's flamboyant energy and full commitment made Angel the light of the show, and Brown's "I'll Cover You (Reprise)" showed real anguish over the loss of Angel. As a whole, the cast expertly handled the show's mature topics. The ensemble remained constantly engaged and showed immense vocal skill, particularly in the beautiful harmonies of "Seasons of Love," which opened with a solo by Scarlett Alexander, who hit the highest note in the show with ease.

The set gave the show its gritty vibe from the start, with monochromatic colors--the decrepit studio center stage--and caution-tape-covered fence to the side. The studio had stairs leading to its roof, creating levels that were well utilized throughout the performance. There was a video store with TVs, which were used to display dates as well as Mark's video at the end. A beautiful moon hung above the stage, made of hula hoops and wire spirals. The lighting aided characterization. For example, since Angel is a symbol of hope, the lighting was pink when Angel was present and also when Angel's presence was felt. Angel's Santa dress had Christmas lights on it, as Angel is the light of the show. Special effects such as the fog machine and snow machine were used tastefully.

Rent is an uncommon choice for a high school theatre program, but the Dramahawks of Hayfield exceeded expectations, conquering the challenging vocal arrangement and sending a message about the importance of acceptance, hope, and, of course, love.

Nick Tortora
Loudoun Valley High School
Submitted for publication to Patch.com

Although New York City is often seen as a pinnacle of life and vigor, city life in grungy 1990's Manhattan was, for many, a grueling existence. RENT explores the dark stipulations of inner city living, including poverty, HIV/AIDS, and substance abuse. In Hayfield Secondary School's production of RENT, they handled such topics with a professional balance of solemnity and grace, adapting the script for younger performers and audiences while still maintaining the show's original message.

Written by Jonathan Larson and officially opening in 1996, RENT is set at the peak of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Characters struggle with a mysterious disease, and time becomes a very real and finite construct to them; love, however, becomes the true measure of their life on earth. Renowned for its tear-jerking narrative of steadfast love in the face of deadly ends, RENT stands at the center point of emotionally raw theatre— despite this challenge, Hayfield Secondary School's cast pulled it off with exceptional artistry, leaving very few dry eyes in the theater.

Corbin Farrell as Mark Cohen lit up the stage and pulled the audience in with his animated use of body and eccentric facial expressions, especially in "La Vie Boheme" and during his dance in "Tango: Maureen." He also used his powerful vocals to energize the show from the very beginning, and remained consistently strong through to the end.

Roger Davis (Jackson Miller) filled the entire theater with his entrancing vocal control, executing an extremely challenging vocal score with a professional-quality performance. When interacting with his female counterpart Mimi (Trish Hoang), the audience could feel the connection echoing around them, creating a beautifully realistic relationship between the two characters. When Mimi overdoses, the anguish in Roger's eyes as he held his dying Mimi felt too raw for some audience members to bear. Furthermore, in her own right, Hoang commanded the stage with a provocative presence that took the audience by surprise while remaining tasteful. Her passionate vocals served to deepen the chemistry between her and Roger, their harmonies melding together into a concoction of its own and entrancing the audience during their songs.

The lesbian couple of Maureen Johnson (Shannon Flack) and Joanne Jefferson (Hallie Strelsky) also power-housed each other, both in their stage energies and in their strong belting vocals. In "Take Me or Leave Me," they each demanded the attention of the room while still leaving space for the other in a powerfully delicate give-and-take, accentuating their strained relationship in the song. Beyond this, they were also able to take the stage in individual moments, Strelsky with her captivating voice cutting through the air and Flack with her high presence and energy despite the obstacle of entering into the narrative later in the course of the plot.

Powerful vocalists abounded in the ensemble, especially in songs such as "La Vie Boheme" and "Seasons of Love," allowing for a rich overall sound throughout the entire show. Standout vocal lines also came out of the ensemble, such as Scarlett Alexander's soaring solo in "Seasons of Love," reaching high above the skyscrapers of New York City with her soprano voice.

Lighting elements complemented the show stunningly. A violent blast of sidelight as Mimi died struck heart-wrenching chords with the audience and accentuated the moment beautifully. An extensive set of NYC brick and grime also framed stage pictures beautifully and allowed the story to be told with grace and ease.

A darkly thought-provoking musical, Hayfield Secondary School's RENT ultimately left the audience with the same loaded questions to ponder as the professional Broadway production would have.

Helen Ganley
McLean High School
Submitted for publication to FCPS Student Voice

How would you measure a year? In daylights? Midnights? Maybe even cups of coffee? Set in late 1980's and early 1990's New York, a city ravaged by HIV, crime, and poverty, Hayfield Secondary School's free-spirited production of RENT measured the ups and downs of a year in the most powerful way of all: love.

Beginning as a 1993 New York Theater Workshop, RENT quickly evolved, opening on and off Broadway in the same year and then being adapted into a film in 2005. Loosely based on the opera La Bohéme, this rock opera is based around a group of impoverished artists with plenty of problems attempting to make a life in New York City. Mark Cohen, a filmmaker, narrates the musical, following Roger Davis, his roommate, as he struggles with HIV and the death of his girlfriend. That is until Mimi Marquez, an exotic dancer with a drug addiction, changes Roger's view on life. Lawyer Joanne Jefferson and actress Maureen Johnson have a tenacious back and forth as quarreling lovers, contrasting with the sweet couple - teacher Tom Collins and drag queen Angel Dumott Schunard. Threatened by disease, poverty, and eviction, characters must find warmth with one another.

Connecting each character in the story, Corbin Farrell easily navigated the many emotional relationships within the show as Mark Cohen. Farrell's robust baritone added a delicate layer to the harmonies in "Rent," yet burst with energy and animation during "Tango: Maureen" and "La Vie Boheme." Full of confidence and power, Trish Hoang was mesmerizing as Mimi Marquez, her voice soaring in "Out Tonight." Hoang masterfully dials back her performance upon meeting Jackson Miller (Roger Davis). Together the duo creates authentic and intimate moments, during "Your Eyes." Miller captured Roger's struggles with love and disease skillfully, showcasing his gravelly voice and smooth falsetto during "One Song Glory."

Poised yet sassy, Hallie Strelsky was an unstoppable powerhouse as Joanne Jefferson, whether she was tangoing with her girlfriend's ex-boyfriend in "Tango: Maureen" or demanding respect from that girlfriend in "Take Me or Leave Me." Quirky and fun in "Over the Moon," yet passionate and authentic in "Take Me or Leave Me," Shannon Flack's vocals were astounding as Maureen Johnson. Marek Brown delivered one of the best performances of the night as Tom Collins, his deep and chilling bass voice in "I'll Cover You (Reprise)" authentically showing his heartbreak. Max Von Kolnitz handled the demanding choreography in "Today 4 U" masterfully, especially while wearing high heels. Brynn Spradlin incited laughter as the water-spraying Restaurant Man and Scarlett Alexander shocked the audience with her soaring high notes in "Seasons of Love" as Mrs. Jefferson.

This rock opera could not be complete without rocking tech. Lights were integral to the show's ambiance, such as the Christmas lights that signaled Angel's appearances or the side lights that blasted the stage; each cue added a meaningful layer to the show. Roger's eyeliner and Joanne's distinct costumes were but a few of the subtle touches that makeup and costumes added to the show. The large set was well used, leaving space for the variety of interactions that occur in the production. The publicity team outdid themselves by collecting donations for Advocates for Youth, a charity for adolescents with HIV. The rock band gave an excellent performance, backing the demanding 40+ musical numbers in the show.

Handling the sensitive issues of HIV, gay rights, and drug abuse with grace, Hayfield Secondary School's RENT had an energetic cast and talented tech that didn't need electricity to light up the stage.

Amanda Hampton
Riverside High School
Submitted for publication to Alexandria Times

How do you measure a year—in daylights, sunsets, or midnights? Or, perhaps, in cups of coffee? Hayfield Secondary School offered a resounding answer to this question in the form of their poignant production of RENT, informing audiences in no uncertain terms that they must measure in love.

A modern interpretation of the opera La Bohème, Jonathan Larson's RENT opened in workshop form in 1993, and moved to Broadway in 1996. Set in the unfriendly landscape of 1989 Alphabet City, the musical follows a group of artists and outcasts over the course of a year as they attempt to navigate the trials and tribulations of love, loss, poverty, and drug addiction beneath the shadow of the AIDS epidemic. RENT's coverage of these weighty issues as well as its cutting-edge contemporary style made it a cultural phenomenon, earning it a movie adaptation and heaps of critical acclaim.

The same thematic and stylistic content that made RENT such a sensation also made it a notoriously difficult piece to pull off, even for the most seasoned of actors. However, the cast and crew of Hayfield rose to the occasion with maturity and nuance, managing to effectively handle the darker themes while painting a dynamic picture of the resilience of the starving artist.

The success of the production often found itself resting upon the able shoulders of Jackson Miller, whose captivating vocals and endearing grit brought everyone's favorite 'angsty' guitar player, Roger Davis, to life. Miller's compelling portrayal of the troubled Roger shone through in solo numbers such as the fatalistic "One Song Glory" and the tearjerker "Your Eyes," in which his electric relationship with Mimi Marquez (Trish Hoang) reached a heart-wrenching boiling point. Hoang's riveting depiction of the lovable stripper Mimi was wonderfully versatile, as she proved time and time again that she could effectively capture Mimi's vulnerable side just as well as she could transform into a vivacious vocal powerhouse in songs such as "Out Tonight."

Rounding out the supporting cast, Hallie Strelsky was a force to be reckoned with as the uptight lawyer Joanne. She combined beautiful, technically sound vocals with a rare authenticity that allowed her to forge a connection with the audience, making her a true joy to watch. Max Vonkolnitz took to the challenge of portraying larger-than-life drag queen Angel with a commendable balance of fervor and poise, and was complemented effectually by Marek Brown, who was a wealth of raw emotion and melodious bass notes as the compassionate anarchist Tom Collins.

Although the energy of the show fell flat at times and the microphones seemed to be finicky, these snags were more than made up for by the outstanding technical elements of the show. The set provided the perfect backdrop for the onstage action, giving a nod to the traditional minimalism utilized in original productions while providing its own twist with the inclusion of chain link fences, graffiti-embellished brick, fire escapes, and Christmas lights. The use of creative lighting effects added further depth to many of the scenes, with dramatic back lighting and dancing firelight serving to create an effect that built upon the realism and artistry already set forth by the actors.

All in all, Hayfield Secondary school did a remarkable job of blending the grit of a native New Yorker with the avant-garde of a true bohemian to create a spirited, gripping rendition of RENT, urging audiences to viva la vie bohème and imparting an impactful message: there is no day but today.

Vanessa Rivera
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Connection

A year in the life of friends may be measured in daylights, sunsets, and cups of coffee, but the talent and dedication seen in Hayfield Secondary School's production of RENT was immeasurable.

Based on Giacomo Puccini's opera La Boheme, RENT is a rock musical with book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson. Premiering in 1996 in the New York Theatre Workshop, RENT went on to Broadway in the same year. After 5,123 performances over the span of 12 years, RENT closed in 2008.

The story starts on Christmas Eve with Mark Cohen, a struggling filmmaker, as he documents life on Avenue B with his roommate, Roger Davis. Mark, dealing with a recent breakup, and Roger, coming to terms with his recently diagnosed HIV, face eviction. As the two seek meaning in life, they struggle, alongside their friends, with emotion, devotion, and causing a commotion.

Roger, played by Jackson Miller, and Mimi played by Trish Hoang, lit a spark in their duet "Light My Candle." Jackson Miller, a standout actor, ensured every song was a "one song glory" with his vocal expertise. Mark (Corbin Farrell) and Joanne (Hallie Strelsky) maintained a spiteful yet good-natured chemistry, evident during "Tango: Maureen." As the two bonded over the unfaithful Maureen, they tangoed cleanly. Shannon Flack reached for the stars, and then jumped over the moon, in her role as Maureen. She brought an irreplaceable energy as she pouted playfully or protested dramatically.

A true light of the cast, Max von Kolnitz, played the lovable and bright character of Angel. Max executed high energy twirls, impressive vocals, and poise to bring the drag queen role to life. The relationship of Angel (Max von Kolnitz) and Tom Collins (Marek Brown) proved captivating and caring. No matter where the scene's focus was, Angel and Collins held hands and shared loving glances. After Angel's tragic passing in Act Two, Marek Brown notably used visual expressions to transition from calm to heartbroken.

Beautifully professional, the set immaculately encompassed New York "at the end of the millennium". A telephone booth, a harvest moon, and old rock and roll posters adorned the set's levels and scaffolding. Stacked televisions played clips of the friends laughing together, bringing a creative touch to the show. Overall, space was greatly used, and complemented by lighting. When Angel flounced on stage, Christmas lights glittered to match his energy. In addition, blackouts and crisp lights helped introduce memorable moments, such as the dazzling snowfall during "Christmas Bells".

Perhaps most impressive of Hayfield's production of RENT was the sophistication and maturity each cast member displayed, which can often be a challenge for the themes portrayed in the script. The entire ensemble came together and connected, building an honest and genuine show, indisputably throughout the knockout number "Seasons of Love".

The musical RENT sends the message to remember love, and you'll have no trouble remembering Hayfield Secondary School's production.

Jessie Yu
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Fairfax County Times

How do you measure a year in a life? Hayfield Secondary School used a small fraction of their 525,600 minutes to drive home the importance of treasuring love in the harshest of circumstances in their production of RENT.

Opening in 1996 Off-Broadway, this rock musical composed by Jonathan Larson quickly became a hit among theatergoers and has firmly established its legacy among iconic Broadway musicals. The show follows a group of struggling artists as they eke out a living for themselves in New York while living in the shadow of HIV/AIDS. As the story progresses, the friends are tested by clashing relationships, impossible financial problems, and an acute awareness of their own mortality.

Corbin Farrell opened the show as the endearingly awkward Mark with the sarcastic, self-deprecating charm that is beloved in the character. As he brought the audience back to 1989 through the lens of his video camera, Farrell maintained his strong characterization through every twist and turn. Mark's AIDS-ridden roommate, Roger, was expertly portrayed by Jackson Miller. Conveying his character's constant inner struggle with a carefully crafted physicality, Miller's showstopping voice completed his performance in heartrending numbers such as "One Song Glory" and "Your Eyes." He and Farrell developed a wonderful dynamic onstage that culminated when the two friends had their separate epiphanies in unison in "What You Own."

Mimi, Roger's lover struggling with a drug addiction and AIDS, was brought to life by Trish Hoang. She conveyed the duality of her character beautifully, strutting around in provocative glee during "Out Tonight" and then letting through a gripping vulnerability in numbers such as "Without You" and "Goodbye Love." Her rich voice paired fittingly with Miller's, and their chemistry made their relationship one that the audience could truly root for.

Actress Hallie Strelsky took the role of Joanne and put her own unique spin on the character. Emphasizing Joanne's more nerdy, Ivy League background, Strelsky brought a refreshing touch while retaining Joanne's classic sass and brazen attitude. Her creative characterization was only compounded by clear vocals that shone in songs like "Tango: Maureen." Strelsky and Shannon Flack, who played Maureen, had an electric chemistry that made the characters' on-again, off-again relationship realistic rather than repetitive. In "Take Me or Leave Me," the two collided in passionate harmonies that demonstrated that even while fighting, they were the power couple of the show. Flack's performance in "Over the Moon" truly showcased her acting dexterity as she captured Maureen's eccentric style and ostentatious stage presence.

Marek Brown and Max von Kolnitz as Collins and Angel respectively played out their tragic romance with touching physicality. Their soft moments of dancing and hand holding won over the hearts of the audience, then shattered those hearts as they clutched at each other during Angel's death. The leading cast was backed by a fantastic ensemble. Each member retained a consistent characterization throughout every scene, and they all came together to successfully honor iconic numbers such as "La Vie Bohème" and "Seasons of Love."

The set was particularly impressive and incorporated multiple levels for a dynamic effect. With ramshackle apartment walls, a shady fence that facilitated drug dealing, and even a porta-potty, the atmosphere of the Bohemian neighborhood was fully realized onstage. The use of special effects such as a snow machine and old television screens elevated the show with no technical errors.

Filled to the brim with music, a spectrum of emotion, and a message of acceptance and hope that was delivered with poignant grace, Hayfield Secondary School's RENT was an impactful experience that took their audience through seasons of love.

Maggie Klein
Oakton High School
Submitted for publication to Lorton Valley Star

How do you measure a year in the life? In daylights? In sunsets? In midnights? In cups of coffee? In 525,600 minutes? Follow Hayfield Secondary School's example and measure in love as they take you through the seasons of love in their poignant production of RENT.

Loosely inspired by Giacomo Puccini's opera La Bohème, RENT sets its group of bohemians in New York City's East Village during the early 1990s. Despite creator Jonathan Larson's sudden death the night before its premiere, RENT went on to garner Tonys for Best Musical, Book, and Original Score in addition to a movie adaptation and die-hard fans.

We begin on Christmas Eve with our narrator Mark and his roommate Roger. December 24th, 9pm, Eastern Standard Time. Told through Mark's camera, RENT follows this respective filmmaker/songwriter duo and their impoverished artist friends through one year of struggling to pay rent, fight HIV/AIDS, and find connection in an isolating age.

And find connection they did. Hayfield's cast tackled a show rarely done at the high school level due to its adult content and challenging vocal arrangement with tact and maturity, their emotional vulnerability and fully developed characters giving the production a raw, three-dimensional edge. Corbin Farrell brought consistent vocals and a layered personality to the nerdy Mark Cohen. He embodied frustration, guilt, and deadpan comedy to the fullest as he awkwardly hid behind his camera or crisply danced the Tango: Maureen.

Jackson Miller didn't play Roger but instead became him. Roger's gorgeous vocals and evident internal conflict as he wrestled with his imminent mortality connected with the audience on an intimate level. Exotic dancer and junkie Mimi Márquez (Trish Hoang)'s vibrant vocals, strong stage presence, and open emotional range contrasted nicely with Roger's sullenness and anger. The pair's palpable chemistry made each individual a stronger character; Roger's transformation from the hesitant "Light My Candle" to the heart-rending "Your Eyes" made the tragic ending scene all the more powerful.

Maureen (Shannon Flack) and Joanne (Hallie Strelsky) were another dynamic couple. Flack commanded the stage with unrestrained confidence and powerhouse vocals in the avant-garde "Over the Moon" as she belted about the characters from Hey Diddle Diddle and urged the audience to moo with her for the sake of performance art. As her Ivy League-educated lawyer girlfriend, Joanne, Strelsky's effortlessly sweet vocals and authentic acting were a refreshing juxtaposition. The pair's tension came to a head in the iconic "Take Me or Leave Me."

Lovable drag queen Angel (Max von Kolnitz) and professor/anarchist Collins (Marek Brown) were equally genuine. The pair remained in character in the background of scenes, and Collins's voice-quavering rendition of "I'll Cover You (Reprise)" had the audience crying with him. Dancer Avalon Engelhardt shined in "Out Tonight" and the audience-favorite "La Vie Boheme," her energetic movements and impressive flips adding to the bohemian vibrancy of an enthusiastic ensemble.

A gorgeous set and special effects built the gritty world of New York City. With multiple levels, a chain-linked fence covered in yellow tape, a telephone booth, and even a port-a-potty, the set was detailed and well utilized by the actors. A window display of old TVs flashed song titles and played Mark's film at the end, wrapping up an emotional show with sentimentality and artistry.

In dances, in death scenes, in heartfelt acting, how do you measure a performance so dear? Hayfield packed 525,600 minutes worth of life into a two-hour production in their emotionally evocative rendition of Rent. They proved that when you're dying in America at the end of the millennium, you're not alone. You can't buy love, but you can rent it.