The Lab Theater

I saw Rent at the Lab Theater last night with some friends. What a cool venue – very close and intimate to the stage, and perfect staging for this production. I felt the $ 50 ticket price was a little steep (you can get tickets at the big theathers for this price), though I suppose our seats in the 6^th row left center were far better than what I could get for $ 50 at the Orpheum. Be sure to get there early (30 – 45 minutes) if you want front row seats in the middle – tickets are general admission and seats are first come, first serve.
The cast was phenomenal (with one exception). The characters were cast perfectly, vocals rocked, and the band was great. This was actually my first time seeing Rent, but a few friends have seen a it a few times and felt this was the best «Maureen» performance. We were all disappointed with Mimi – she wasn’t a bad actress, but for a such a major role, her singing was weak and her fellow castmates overshadowed her. She sounded out of breath, quiet, and missed her high notes in «Let’s go out tonight».
Definitely worth checking out. Lots of great restaurants/​bars within walking distance if you want to grab a drink after – Club Jäger and Toast to name a few.