During actress Rowan Epstein’s rendition of “Over The Moon,” one ‘Rent’ audience member watching the show in Goldstein Auditorium interjected his thoughts to the person sitting next to him.

“I’ve been to ‘Rent’ live at least a dozen times and that was the best version I’ve ever seen performed on stage,” he said.

First Year Players, a student-run musical theater organization at Syracuse University, put on the musical, which ran from April 10–12 in Goldstein Auditorium. Founded in 1992, FYP gives non-drama, first-year and transfer students the chance to perform big hits onstage each spring.

“Rent” follows a group of young artists in New York City’s Lower East Side during the 1990s. Too poor to pay their own rent, these nonconformists attempt to survive as best they can.

This year’s production brought together more than 100 students from the SU community. From communications to engineering majors, the mesh of academic diversity on and behind the stage was colorful. Participants said the bonds formed between the cast, crew and staff this year were strong.

“These are the relationships I was looking for before I even came to Syracuse,” said Brendan Germain, a freshman television, radio and film major who played Mark Cohen, a struggling Jewish filmmaker and narrator of the show. “The production was great, but the people made this experience more worthwhile. Our personalities just clicked so well.”

The house was packed for Saturday night’s show. Behind the theater seating were multiple booths, one of which was sponsored by the STOP Bias campaign. There was also a table dedicated to sending “1,000 sweet kisses” — short messages dedicated to cast members and crew — as well as a concessions stand.

The stage was decked out in wooden platforms and lights dangled from the ceiling, giving off the effect of starlight. The backdrop was lit with neon lights, concealing the ensemble band. The cast flooded the stage and performed the show’s eponymous number, “Rent.”

After each song, audience members throughout the auditorium erupted in applause. Many theatergoers jumped out of their seats, while others whistled and commented in admiration.

“My absolute favorite song is ‘Seasons of Love.’ It’s right after the intermission,” said junior Casey Gaul. “I just love the lyrics — it makes me really happy.”

Epstein, a freshman recording and allied entertainment industries major, played Maureen Johnson, a flirtatious performance artist. She was thrilled to be a part of FYP this year, but noted the difficulties of her role.

“Maureen was definitely the hardest character I have ever portrayed in a musical,” Epstein said. “She’s not only vocally exhausting, but she’s also such a dimensional and crazy character. ‘Rent’ was physically and emotionally draining, but it was such a big accomplishment for me.”

Throughout the musical, the crowd participated by clapping, snapping and even mooing to songs. The final song, “Finale B” — better known as “No Day But Today” — moved audience members to their feet in a standing ovation.

“They had me crying after intermission,” said Ashlee Thibaud, a sophomore biochemistry major. “I just love how the cast incorporated the stage. It was so emotional and it totally blew me away. I would recommend it to everybody.”

It wasn’t just audience members crying, though. The cast was also brought to tears during various scenes of the musical.

“I’m not sure if you noticed,” Epstein said, “But several cast members were crying on stage, and those were real tears. This was deeply emotional for all of us.”

As the show came to a close, viewers shouted, “FYP!” The cast finished by filling the stage, bowing and hugging each other — an emotional ending to months of hard work.

Said Germain: “We practiced so much for this and every bit of it paid off this weekend.”

Published on April 14, 2014 at 1:00 am

ztgipson@syr.edu