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12/11: "Rent" with Jai Rodriguez
"Rent" returns for just 10 performances.
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Jai Rodriguez stars in "Rent" at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, December 11th-20th, 2009.
"RENT" OPENS: It's an excellent show for the holiday season. We say that not just because "Rent" takes place partially on Christmas Eve, but the themes of the play -- seizing the moment, love and friendship -- are especially poignant right now. Jai Rodriguez of "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" stars. It's at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, and Musical Theatre West is staging. We'll mention again: 10 performances only.
MANNHEIM STEAMROLLER: Don't you just know a Mannheim Steamroller song from the first four notes? The epic sweeping electronics. The swirly tangents. The thundering drama, even in a tune about toys and fun. Mannheim is 35 this year, and Nokia Theatre -- where the steamrollin' is happening tonight -- says they're the "largest selling Christmas artist of all time." We believe it.
MORE STAGECRAFT: Holiday Heart Strings breaks out the festive fiddles at the Cerritos Center. The Groundlings Holiday Show chortles in the season on Melrose. And the Grand Guignolers explore "Absinthe, Opium & Magic" in Hollywood.
