Lehigh Valley Stage

Northampton Community College’s Summer Theater’s “RENT” ends the season on a powerful and compelling note.

The show is the summer theater’s final show of the season in Lipkin Theatre on the college’s main campus, 3835 Green Pond Rd., Bethlehem.

Jonathan Larson’s iconic musical follows a year in the life of a group of young artists struggling to survive and create in New York City’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

Filmmaker Mark is the thread that ties all the characters together and Jake Ziman plays the role with an enthusiastic vengeance. 

In many productions of Jonathan Larson’s iconic musical that I have seen, Mark is played as cynical to the point of being unlikeable. Ziman adds a touch of unexpected bemusement to the role which is quite welcome and makes the character of Mark more appealing. Ziman is on stage almost constantly through the show, and his intensity and energy are unflappable. He very ably anchors songs like the self-titled opener and the explosive “La Vie Boheme.” His hilarious duet with the powerfully voiced Nilli Cohen’s Joanne in “Tango Maureen” is outstanding.

Noah Detar plays depressed musician Roger as a bit more subdued but has great chemistry with Charlie Leonard’s red hot Mimi in songs like “Light My Candle” and “Another Day.” Kudos too to Detar for playing the guitar on stage.

Leonard proves herself quite the gymnast as well, with a terrifying and amazing performance belting “Out Tonight” while climbing around second story scaffolding in spike heel boots.

As Tom Collins, Daniel J. Hurt conveys an easy-going gentle persona and has a velvety voice which he effectively uses in “Santa Fe” and “I’ll Cover You,” with Jadon Lopez’s playful Angel.

Lopez is compelling as Angel, who is the heart of the group and has lots of fun dressed as Santa in “Today For You” and Pussy Galore in “Happy New Year.”

Director Bill Mutimer’s staging of Angel’s funeral scene very effective with Angel walking up the steps draped in white as Hurt’s Collins delivers a moving reprise of “I’ll Cover You.”

Meredith Doyle plays Maureen more as quirky than sultry and gives an all-in performance of “Over the Moon.” Doyle and Cohen sizzle together as the off and on lovers and their dynamic “Take Me or Love Me” is a highlight of the show.

As bad guy Bennie, Tyler Williams makes the character more than a cartoon and ably holds his own.

The first act-ending “La Vie Boheme,” with nearly the entire cast on stage is a joyous explosion of energy with everyone dancing on tables.

The ensemble cast deserves a shout out for their tireless work. The “Christmas Bell” bits are all fun and expressive and Nathan Angelo is a particularly overeager window washer. Ensemble members also play the various characters’ parents in the “Voice Mail” numbers and in the life support group scene. Ensemble members include Angelo, Maxwell J. Wetherhold, Chase Fontenot, Todd Croslis, Joshua Crowley, Cade Kocher, Madeline Gambon, Eriel Milan Brown, Michael Mottram, Alyson Krawchuk, Savannah Madeira, Amelia Illingsworth, Connor Sternberg, Andy Van Antwerp and Melina Heffner. Mottram is noteworthy for his wonderful solo in “Seasons of Love.”

The pit orchestra does a good job with the score led by Lucille De Masi Kincaid and Chad Miller.

Tina Williams’ choreography sparkles.

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5-6, and 2 p.m. Aug. 7.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for children. Masks are optional.

For information go to ncctix.org, or call 484-484-3412.