RENT: The 'Phenomenal' TOUR!

PORTLAND, OR-Last summer, when I heard of a new tour of RENT, would be coming to Portland and it would headline the 2 original stars of Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp; I couldn’t wait til June 2009. So finally, when June was approaching I had exactly the same bit of excitement when Joel Grey was on tour with ‘Cabaret' in February 1989.

It is rare you get see a touring show with the original cast as well as appearing in the movie version. (i.e. . Joel Grey)

Just in case you don’t know, ‘RENT’ is modern day version of Puccini’s La Boheme about of group of artists in Early 90’s (known as the Bohemia years) and it has a big gay subtext with relationships between Gay men, a lesbian relationship, drag queens, and about 4 major characters living with HIV.

Most of the audience knew the show so well, that they applauded at the beginning of each song and REALLY applauded after each song this was very evident for the La Vie Boheme (the act 1 finale) and ‘What you own’ Anthony and Adam’s tour de force duet.

As I do every time I watch the movie, I always cry at the end of ‘No day Like Today’ when Angel, the character that dies from AIDS reappears in the last shot. It reminds me of the creator Jonathan Larson and how every time you hear his music his legend lives.

Johnathan Larson, who died tragically before the show's original debut, captures the electricity of this time and combines it with a score that features a number of ensemble pieces that are nothing short of outstanding. When I saw the original production of Rent on Broadway, the performers closely mirrored their characters: they were young and struggling to make a name for themselves. The original show snapped with a spark of energy that is unlike anything else I've ever seen on stage.

After the show, a huge crowd met the two at the stage door with a wave of camera flashes and screams. The two have become something akin to rock stars. I witnessed this en route to the Marriot for the Cast Party and Benefit for the Cascade AIDS Project.

At the party I ran into CAP director, Michael Kaplan with his partner Sean Sasser. Writers; Marc Acito and his partner Floyd Sklaver. I didn’t see Adam Pascal there, but did meet Anthony Rapp, to tell him I hope to have on the radio show soon. The tour is expected to conclude in February 2010!

IL Divo ‘Moves’ the crowd in the Pacific NW

By MK

EVERETT, WA – I could have seen this hunky foursome at the rose garden arena in Portland, OR on night 2 of their 2 night stop in the Pacific NW: So I opted to see them on the opening night show in all places, Everett, WA. Well, that worked cause they certainly brought some class to this small berg when they performed at the new Comcast arena, on this past Tuesday, June 2nd.

I looked at my ticket as soon as I received it and realized, ‘OK, 12th row’, It was when I actually got to my seat when I realized the stage went all the way behind the 10th row and for a good portion of the concert was in the 2nd row. AWESOME!

With mostly an older gay and straight crowd, I might be expecting a snooze. But what came next was a tour de-force of contemporary hits that have never been sung like this before, not even by the original artists!

Il Divo, (did I mention, the four hunky guys) opened the night with a Barbra Streisand-inspired version of "Somewhere."Il Divo combines comely good looks and tailored Armani suits; with a Euro style (They had 5 costume changes)!

That has translated to a brilliant success for Il Divo, which translates loosely to "the divine." That success sustained them Tuesday night with songs that brought the audience to their feet when they weren't swooning in their seats.When the sole American of the group, tenor David Miller, 35, unleashed his lung power, which led both the women and the gay men to let loose.

Il Divo's chart-topping success has been fueled with an exotic sizzle, a melting pot group of model-lovely singers representing several cultures. Besides American-born Miller, there's baritone Carlos Marin, 40, of Spain, pop singer Sebastien Izambard, 35, of France and tenor Urs Buhler, 37, of Switzerland.The foursome had only to strut across stage to elicit squeals.

But we didn't pay for just the catwalk, and these guys knew that.They delivered "Unbreak My Heart" and then "La Promesa," the title from their new album, "The Promise," and the reason for their world tour. Then came "Angelina," also from "The Promise" as the four singers sung to a swelling crowd.As promised the men shook hands with admirers while swaying in the stage's center circle and belting it out. These guys ‘Move’ a crowd.

A treat for the crowd was a song not recorded on any of their albums: "Bridge Over Troubled Water," with the stage an azure glow.There was an unfortunate break in the singing for a wardrobe change (which was made up with beautiful 3-d images that magically moved). Then Marin teased the crowd by asking if they missed him. They answered with hoots and hollers.

For Act Two, Il Divo walloped "Without You" out of the arena, melted hearts with "Every Time I Look at You," sang "Hallelujah," and wrapped up with "My Way."

After a long (but appreciated) wait, the guys came out wearing new suits and performed 3 encores. By the end, the whole main floor had moved toward the stage was able to reach for their hands and got much appreciation back. The (Older) crowd, moved.