The 39 Steps JUNE 29 - JULY 10
Avenue Q JULY 15 - JULY 31
Damn Yankees AUG 5 - AUG 21
Death of a Salesman AUG 26 - SEPT 5; 10 & 11
The Oath JULY 8 - JULY 25
The Marvelous Wonderettes AUG 12 - AUG 29
Seussical JUNE 24 - JULY 11
Absolutely fantastic. The preview performance Thursday night was wonderful. The cast and crew (and admin staff) should all be extremely proud of themselves . . . it was amazing! This is a world-class production and performance in little ole Weston, Vermont. We are so lucky to have this stellar company in our midst! I am honored to live in this awesome community and to support such fine theater.
- Claudia Harris
Mary Mitchell Miller Real Estate
Weston, VT
i went to the performance along with the Summer Transition Program (STP) with Castleton State College and i cannot get over how amazing you all performed!!
i’ve seen the movie twice and the broadway performance (the one they filmed) a few times, but you guys were by far my favortie!!
Roger’s character (played by Kristoffer Cusick, i believe) was portrayed SOOOO much more like he should be instead of just having him be brooding. Besides, the mohawk was awesome and so was your voice!!!!!
I think “Light my Candle” or “Will I?” was my favorite of the songs, I can’t decide…. but they were both really great, so no sweat!!
speaking of “Will I?”, the guy who started it off (Paul Rawlings, I think?) had such a powerful voice, which just made the song even more deep and meaningful.
but you were all just so great and the show was well put together so, instead of rambling on, i guess what i’m trying to say is: BRAVO!!!!!
It blew me away! I’ve been coming to the Playhouse for close to 20 years and this production goes to the top of my “fave” list. Except for a few minor audio problems, the Friday opening night performances of the incredibly talented cast and crew seemed as if they’ve been doing Rent for years. So go and be awed by some amazing voices, music and staging.
Morty Fink
Jamaica VT
This was a wonderful show. A terrific cast, amazing voices, a fabulous set. You’ve got to see it…Go with an open mind and you’ll leave with an open heart. Well done all of you!
We are great fans of Weston Playhouse, and feel so fortunate to live around such great theatre.
Really enjoyed the Saturday matinee from the 3rd row. It was a little close, but we adjusted rather quickly. It was a really virtuosic performance. A great physical piece that only youth in great physical shape could pull off. Bravissimi a tutti. Thanks for the great time.
Extaordinary performance and the entire cast delivered this story with their heart and soul.
It is a pleasure and privelege to have the Weston Theatre here in Vermont.
Sally Ann Nisberg
Plymouth, VT
What a terrific show! I chose the premium seats and got my money’s worth and more. I live only an hour away from Weston and have lived in the area for 19 years and it took this show to entice me drive to Weston. I see at least one show on Broadway each year in NYC and this is better because of the excellent quality of the cast, staging, sound, and the superb location in Weston. Thank you for such a memorable event!
I went to the Saturday matinee. Delightful, devastating, heartwrenching and triumphant: this production evokes 525,600 shades of emotion and meaning.
I’m assuming that the cast or crew might be reading these feedback postings. Well done all. It is my understanding that the names used to introduce the members of the Life Support meeting were changed nightly, during the Broadway run, to commemorate those who have passed from, or are surviving with AIDS. If there is any interest at Weston in continuing this tradition, my older brother, George, died of complications related to the desease in 1987 and it would mean a lot to me if you could include his name. Regardless, a wonderful and moving time was had by all. thank you so much. Rusty.
George was at the Life Support meeting last night.
Came to the Sat. matinee and didn’t expect to be so overwhelmed by the show. First rate cast delivered a first class performance. The standing ovation was well deserved. How lucky we are to have such quality theater here -Broadway has nothing on Weston!
I got goose bumps when the show began and they didn’t really go away until the next morning! They even come back when I think about it! What a performance! The energy and preparation by cast and crew was apparent. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have been witness to such a wonderful performance. My husband and I continue to discuss the social and emotional issues raised in this rock opera as well as the details of the talent of each cast member and the styles of music in the different numbers. The performance was a delight with it’s energy and message to live a life of love and joy! Thank you WPTC!
My wife and I have seen “Rent” on Broadway 6 times. We were a bit skeptical as to how favorably the Weston version would compare. We were totally amazed at the incredible performance! We are hugh Rentheads and were totally blown away by this production. The cast, the direction, the music and the sets were outstanding. Bravo Weston Playhouse!!! Highly recommended.
Amazing show!! My son and I went to the Sat matinee. We were overwhelmed with the talent. And because the theater is small, you feel like you are part of the show. I saw RENT on Broadway years ago and your show is just as great!! Thanks for the experience.
My husband and I were at the Thursday night pre-opening performance. We had resisted seeing “Rent” on Broadway, where we often go to shows, because we thought of it as a loud rock opera. But, since we consider the Weston Playhouse the equal to anything on Broadway, we decided to take a chance. And were we ever rewarded! First, the set was so huge and amazing and imaginative. As the story evolved we realized its major theme is community and how, in relatedness to others, we are able to survive whatever we experience in life. I revised my sermon for that Sunday in our Episcopal Church, to include “Rent” in the closing section.
My wife and I went on opening night. A couple of sound system glitches didn’t diminish the power. The set was fabulous — and the voices: talk about Broadway quality!
Keep on producng challenging pieces. Let other theatres be “summer stock”.
Saw Rent in Boston and was quite underwhelmed by it. Saw it last night on the Weston stage and was mesmerized. An unbelievably fine cast with great voices and a wonderful sensitivity, terrific sets. It is wonderful what the intimacy of the Weston Playhouse does to these blockbuster shows. Felt the same way about Les Miz last year – not a big fan of it in Boston, but loved it in Weston. Keep up the great work. Maybe the amplification could be turned down a touch, but I have very sensitive ears.
To All the Actors, and Staff involved with the Production of RENT,
My husband and I went last night and were overwhelmed with the entire production of RENT. It was fantastic, and so entertaining throughout the whole performance. The set, the actors, music and over all effect and affect were top notch!!! I never saw the Broadway performance but this has to be as great or even better. Thank you so much for bringing this wonderful, professional, performance to the Weston Playhouse. It was an experience I will never forget and I will definitely buy the CD, but I doubt I’ll see the movie, as I am sure it will not live up to the play I saw last evening. If possible, I hope to attend another performance before the closing date.
We have attended plays at the Playhouse since 1969 and I must say this was the most inspiring and best ever!! Thank you again and again!
Sincerely with great appreciation,
Dian D. Friedman
Chester, Vermont/Suffield, Connecticut
Did the size of the theatre really require microphones? The sound was so painfully deafening that words were distorted beyond comprehesion. This left us both confused as to the story line. At one point I had to block both ears! Only then could I hear! The set was drab and depressing and if it had not been for the drag queen, there would have been no colour! Actors and Actresses lacked gravitas and the only commendable performace was by the chap who played the lover of the drag queen. Notably we did not even know the characters name due to poor sound. Very dissapointed after traveling from the UK, and though we had paid for the cabaret, we left after the first act feeling we had spent a lot for a very little return. Not up to the standard of the playhouse reputation!
Our experience could not have been more different. We found all aspects of the production extraordinarily good, from set to sound to lighting and costumes. The acting was great. How such a production comes together in such a short period if beyond us. I came not sure how much I would like it. In a few minutes, I had become mesmerized. It is truly wonderful.
The sound was atrocious during the first week when I saw it, but I understand this is the theatre’s 1st show using them. And the sound mixing for this show is a tactical nightmare for any technician. Critically speaking, I thought the set was dull and the costumes were predictable. The performances were uneven (with the exception of Maureen, Collins and Mark). The general direction seemed very monotonous in tone, all anger and angst with no sweetness or light to be found. The emotional center (Angel) was off-balance for the first act and looked truly frightened to be up on those platform shoes. He did, however, make up for it with a beautiful 2nd act. Mimi and Roger sounded good, but both performances were limp (literally as Mimi drapes herself backwards over a ladder and Roger’s chin never seems to leave the floor when he’s singing). The show itself is heavy enough without your actors being directed to play it heavy. What should be an uplifting show has been turned into a death-march dirge.
saw rent on opening night after seein it in boston 2 weeks prior. enjoyed weston’s performance so much more the voices were incredible. anyone who gets the chance should see this fabulous performance. wee enjoyed it so much, we are going back next week.
My husband and I attended the opening night performance; it gripped me and never let go! NOTHING could have made me leave my seat and miss a second of the performance. I experienced the joy and exhuberance, heartwrenching pain and loss from the character’s performances. I relived the memory of my brother’s experience and finally felt comfort in my tears. Thank you to the cast, crew and director for a wonderfully moving performance that I will rave about and never ever forget. It’s really all about Love!
On behalf of myself and my three friends I would like to express to you that we did not like the play Rent. In fact, we walkd out of the theatre at intermission. The music and sound effects were so loud that we, along with others in the audience had to cover our ears. We attended the play on the afternoon of Aug. 5th. The 4 of us come from NJ and played our visit around the Play. To spend $54 for something you did not enjoy was too much. This play should have been in a BIGGER playhouse. We will think twice before attending another musical in your Playhouse.
Just got back and the play was spectacular….honest, moving, and very well done! We were, however very disappointed in the Cabaret. We have been going to these for years and this one was a bomb. Except for a few cute skits, ( the cows and the stalker) there was far too much singing (remember we had just been to a 2 1/2 hour musical…and there was little comedy to be had. A huge disappointment. we had friend with us and will not bring them back to the Cabaret again….Need to get back to the funny, irreverent comedy of the past…
I’ve been to all the shows so far this season at Weston and they have all been superb, however there was something very special and magical about “Rent”. The actors, music, story, set and orchestra were all amazing. Jonathan Larson popped into my mind many times during the performance and I can only imagine how proud he would have been to see what an impact his show continues to make, more than 13 years after his death. Everyone who had a hand in bringing this extraordinary piece of theater to Weston should be applauded. Thank you!
Kelly Kelly
Rochester, VT
Loved rent. B’way quality production. However, and this comes from a multi year seasons ticket holder, who always has the same seats in the first row of the balcony, this season there is a sound problem. There were dead spots for the Sam Loyd Jr. show, and the first act of rent was impossible. It was over miked and the mix between music and song did not allow you to distinguish the words. Generally the volume was just too loud. I stayed reluctantly for the second act, and boy did that save the show for me. Even the sound seem to improve, not the mix. Band still too hot. Overall, add it to the great accomplishments of your Company.
Jerry
Manchester VT
I decided to come see RENT to celebrate my 18th birthday, and I am so glad that I did! This production was incredible. I found myself completely enraptured and quietly singing along. There were a few sound problems and there were some points where I thought the mics were too loud, but overall I enjoyed the entire performance and thank all of the cast and crew for providing me with a wonderful things to remember my 18th birthday with!
Oh My Goodness! What a fantastic experience. The music, the set, and especially the actors were Broadway quality. We didn’t want it to end. At the end of the show, we were lucky enough to speak with “Angel” and “Roger” outside. They could not have been nicer or friendlier, even posing for pictures with us and chatting about the show. Thank you Weston Playhouse for yet another gem!
Wow. I was lucky enough to see the original cast shortly after the production moved to Broadway, and I always compare my Rent experiences to that first magical show. This production lived up to my lofty expectations. I was blown away last night. I had seen a sweet, well acted production at the playhouse three weeks ago and I expected that Rent would be good – it was phenomenal. Congratulations to the cast, the crew, the director etc. I loved loved loved it.
(my only slight distraction was that one of the cast members – who often played a drug dealer – was in a production here last year. I had a hard time taking him seriously, because every time he graced the stage, I remembered him as Farmer Brown in Click Clack Moo – surely he will look like a shifty drug dealer to everyone else. . .)
Christine and I saw the performance on Thursday, July 30th. So why am I now just getting around to writing about it?
Well, to put it simply, I was so awed and dumbstruck by the show that it has taken all this time for my brain to start functioning again, and write this review.
We have been coming to the Weston Playhouse for more than 20 years, and I can say most honestly that this was the best performance we have ever seen at WPTC. Period. End of report.
Thank you Bill Castellino, thank you members of the cast, and thank you all of the other folks at WPTC that made this show so wonderful. We were absolutely blown away by the performance, and will remember the evening of July 30th forever.
Bill Walters and Christine Tattersall
Edgy…brilliant…
Run…to RENT!
AMAZING!AMAZING!AMAZING!
It was my first trip to the Weston Playhouse and I loved it. What a fantastic show with a stellar cast!! Thank you!!
What a performance. My husband and I attended the Playhouse for our first time Thursday, 8/20 and it was a one hour drive from our home in Chesterfield, NH. What an overwhelmingly terrific surprise.
We have seen RENT in NYC and Boston and this was by far the best performance ever! There was not a weak actor in this show. We began talking about how great “Roger’s” singing and acting was but then that just led us to every other character who were equally as wonderful. From Collins, to Mimi, to Angel, to Joanne, to Maureen, to Mark and Benny as well as the supporting cast. What a talented, talented cast with wonderful choreography.
Thank you to the outstanding performers who not only did RENT proud but knocked our socks off. You are a top notch group and I truly hope that we will enjoy this kind of quality show again! I wish I had seen it earlier in the season because I would definitely go again.
Thanks to all for a wonderful night of musical theater.
While I enjoyed the production very much, I must add myself to those who found the sound level just too high. Our group doesn’t seem to be represented here but absolutely everyone I spoke to who has seen this production in Weston mentions this. Why such a fabulous production was allowed to have such a poor mix is a mystery to all of us. I do not go to the theater to lose my hearing.