Isaac Haas, in profile, threw his large eyes upon Erin Davis, petite but also large of eyes. Their melodies alternated - both have strong, sweet voices - and then blended into a melodious cat's howl.
It was the Shreveport Little Theater Academy's production of Rent on Saturday night, where expressions exploded and the singing was super.
Director Jared Watson has taken a group of talented and handsome teens, found their strengths and cast them like butter into a sautee pan.
Zhailon Levingston threw himself around the stage and molded his rich voice to numerous melodies. Gentry Williams, too, beamed and crooned with capable abandon.
Anchoring the stage with a voice so righteous it rolls effortlessly from blues to opera was Emily Mwakitawa. Following in her vocal footsteps were Emma Foreman and Wallace Rakoczy, both passionate young wailers.
Kaelon Gerard, a tall lad with thick vocal timbre, was, like all the principals, able to trippingly dance across the stage while hitting his notes.
Yet a major component was missing from this version of Rent: no band. The excellent ensemble that SLTA has used under music director Adam Philley was caught in a schedule conflict, explained director Watson.
What a shame, not to pick up a substitute group of musicians!
Rent is a not an easy show for a teen cast. It's a story of poverty, prostitution, hard drugs, death - and life before texting. Rent also has a complex storyline. Reading the outline before seeing the show would not be a waste of time.
Teens want a show that reflects their striving for independence. Watson explained that, "This is the show these kids really wanted to do." And if there's a full measure of raunch, there's also a positive side to Rent: it glorifies friendship, loyalty, community and endurance.
In the end, this production of Rent is notable for vocal power and kinetic entertainment.
Even without live music it offers a worthy evening of entertainment.
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