'Rent' about living for the present

Ruth Ajuzie rehearses the role of Mimi for the production RENT in the The Little Theater on July 27. Mimi is a lead female character in RENT and is an exotic dancer and drug addict.
Ruth Ajuzie rehearses the role of Mimi for the production RENT in the The Little Theater on July 27. Mimi is a lead female character in RENT and is an exotic dancer and drug addict.

The rock musical "Rent," the play loosely based on Giacomo Puccini's opera "La boheme," is the current production for The Little Theatre of Jefferson City.

The play, set in the East Village of New York City, is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. It follows the lives of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive.

Directed by Michael Seabaugh with musical direction by Patrick Clarke, the cast includes: Ruth Ajuzie as Mimi; Jessi Green as Maureen; Sara Williams as JoAnne; Caleb Forrest as Mark; Matt Riggins as Benny; Charon Session as Angel; Curtis Sudduth as Tom; and Jerico Whitaker as Roger.

The female ensemble includes: Elizabeth Brown, Jamie Crockett, Bethany Elliott; and Keilyn Freeman. The male ensemble is composed of: Josantonio Del Valle, Zak McKinney, Joe Schneider and Daniel Zaiger.

Seabaugh is back working with community theater after a 10-year absence.

"When the board of directors put the show on the slate for the year, I couldn't resist a chance to direct," Seabaugh said. "I saw the play in New York in 1996 and fell in love with the show."

Seabaugh said it has been a beautiful experience directing the show.

"I took a month to cast the show. I wanted to get just the right group," Seabaugh said.

He is emulating the Broadway show with choreography, set and costumes as much as possible.

Sudduth, who is in the cast, also doubles as choreographer.

Seabaugh designed the set and Tim Lockwood is the construction chief. It is a large set with many pieces and includes a 20-foot tall metal sculpture of a tree by Sean Hall.

Seabaugh is assisted by first-time production manager Jennie Wells, and he said she is doing a great job.

This is really a family endeavor for Seabaugh. Terry Seabaugh, Michael's mother, is the costume designer. She is sewing, renting and borrowing to give the show the true Broadway feel.

Seabaugh's sister, Becca, is acting as mentor to Wells in the production area.

Seabaugh literally grew up involved in community theater. He was in the original cast of both "Annie" and "Fiddler on the Roof," in the early 1980s.

"To be honest I have performed on stage and done a lot of backstage work and I prefer the backstage side of theater," Seabaugh said.

This is an adult-themed show with adult language and situations. Seabaugh urges parents to make the judgment about age for attending the show.

"Working with community theater and the many talented persons involved with the play has been a beautiful experience and hopefully the audience will appreciate the efforts of all involved," Seabaugh said.

At a glance

What: "Rent" presented by The Little Theatre of Jefferson City.

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Aug. 13-15.

Where: Miller Performing Arts Center.

Tickets: At box office the week of the show and at 573-681-9400.