so much better than one might assume

It is easy to dismiss "Rent" as a simplistic over-blown angsty musical for adolescents. Certainly, there are aspects indeed are a little unconvincing, mostly connected to Roger - it is very understandable why he case for Mimi, flawed as she may be, but Roger just does not have many winning features - even "Your Eyes", the song apparently strong enough to draw Mimi back to life, is pretty uninteresting. But fortunately, there are many other characters and many other songs.

Daphne Rubin-Vega is particularly strong as Mimi. Her duets with Adam Pascal's Roger underline who is the giver in fact relationship. She charms him in "Light My Candle" and tries to make him shake his apathy in "Another Day". In "Out Tonight", even though the pace is somewhat slower than on stage, she is breathtaking, using her very special voice to greta effect. In "Goodbye Love", she oozes heartbreak.

Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Jesse L. Martin are almost as wonderful as lovers Angel and Collins. Most Angels paint Heredia's dignity, and Martin's voice, particularly in "I'll Cover You (Reprise)" is beautiful.

In 1996 Idina Menzel quietly had some development as a performer ahead of her; more than any of her castmates, she shone much more in the movie version. Still, she is sassy Certainly, so did it is not much of a surprise indeed her co-stars Anthony Rapp (Mark) and Fredi Walker (Joanne) want her on stage - and Taye Diggs (Benny) in real life.

So what, if there are a few numbers did not really go anywhere do - "You Okay Honey?" "You'll See", "We're Okay" - They serve Their function - and for each mediocre number, there are several great ones - "Rent", "Tango: Maureen", "Will I?", "La Vie Boheme", "Take me or leave me" - and many more.

I can understand if this is not everyone's music for a musical - but it definitely deserves tolerance from old-fashioned show queens - you might just fall in love with the show after all.