The musical “Rent” opened its one-weekend run Thursday at Powers Auditorium in Youngstown. The cast features, front from left, Connor Bezeredi and Kylie Davis; seated from left, Grayson McCrory, Nick Kerpsack and Kage Coven; and back row from left, Shiloh Hart, Nate Beagle and Wayne Bonner III. (Submitted photo)

YOUNGSTOWN – “Rent” is many things, but one of them is a story about finding your tribe, your family by beliefs rather than blood. 

In that way, it’s appropriate that the production that opened Thursday at Powers Auditorium brings together so many different factions of the Mahoning Valley arts community.

The staging is presented by  Youngstown Playhouse, Opera Western Reserve, the Henry H. Stambaugh Association and the Youngstown Symphony Society, and the result is a prime example of what is possible through collaboration. 

There is a wealth of talent involved, both on stage and behind the scenes. If there is a professional production of “Rent” on tour right now, it can’t have a more impressive set than the one designed by Matthew Mazuroski, who also directed the musical. Three levels of scaffolding filled the Powers stage, adorned with graffiti covered backdrops painted by local artist Sam Perry. The most striking element is a circular stained glass piece that looms over the stage like a multi-colored moon. When it is lit up, it is majestic. Ellen Licitra’s lighting design frequently demanded attention, such as the way the beams of light caught the haze on stage during “What You Own.” The only miscue was the lights were too bright and washed out the screen during the brief scene where Mark shows some of the footage he’s shot with his camera.

The multiple levels provided some unique staging opportunities and multiple focal points. It’s a production where you’re riveted to the main action, but there is something just as compelling happening in the margins.

Mazuroski gives his cast every opportunity to shine.

My favorite song from the musical always has been “Take Me or Leave Me,” and Grayson McCrory as Joanne and Shiloah Hart as Maureen made it a showstopper. Hart also holds a note so long on “Over the Moon” that it might make Idina Menzel envious.

“Tango Maureen” was a great showcase for McCrory and Connor Bezeredi as Mark, and Bezeredi and Nicholas Kerpsack (Roger) nailed “What You Own.” 

Kylie Davis was impressive vocally and fearless in executing her choreography (by Joanna Andrei) from the highest level of scaffolding on “Out Tonight.” 

Wayne Bonner III had the moves, the vocal ability and the drumming skills as Angel to make “Today 4 U” a delight, and Kage Coven fully conveyed the loss Collins feels following Angel’s death from AIDS in his second act numbers. 

Benny is the smallest role of the main eight characters in “Rent,” but Nate Beagle’s vocals stood out in every scene he had.

The ensemble also featured many strong voices, particularly Nikita R. Jones and Tyler Stouffer on “Seasons of Love.” Jonathan Larson’s score has multiple songs with layered vocal parts. There were times when the result was a bit muddled, but other times those ensemble numbers became standouts.

 I’ve probably seen a half dozen productions of “Rent,” including the tail end of the Broadway run and at least one national tour, and Thursday might have been the most memorable version of “Life Support” I’ve ever heard. Credit goes to music director Joe Spurio for his work with the cast. And Youngstown native Michael Moritz came in from New York to conduct the pit band and play first keyboard.

Opening night certainly wasn’t perfect. Finding the right sound mix to balance the band and the singers was hit or miss at times, especially in the first act. Some of it was an issue with the microphones the cast members were wearing (a necessity in a theater the size of Powers)  Other times it seemed the sound crew was late switching on the mics. 

Those are easy problems to fix, and there isn’t much here that needs fixing. 

This is a production that does the Valley arts community proud, and the best way to encourage more collaborations like this is by showing up and buying a ticket. 

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WHAT: “Rent”

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. today and Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday

WHERE: Powers Auditorium, 260 W. Federal St., Youngstown

HOW MUCH: Tickets range from $17 to $35 and are available at the DeYor Performing Arts Center box office, online at deyorpac.org and by calling 330-259-9651.