FAIRFAX TIMES
"an explosive re-creation ... The ensemble cast of more than a dozen exceptionally gifted young actors overwhelms the intimate stage with a stunning outpouring of talent in both song and drama. ... the future of musical theater is evident and it is wonderful to behold, with a veritable chorus line of new stars being born. ...RENT contains enough ideas for two musicals and enough life for a world being born, and it takes this 'village' of youthful ingénues to storm onto this intimate stage, offer a vision of life and mark their places as future stars."
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DC THEATRE SCENE:  "Performing RENT, Keegan Style"
"After listening to one rendition after another of Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award-winning score at the more than 140 auditions,  the roles were cast, and an exceptional group of young performers began rehearsals for RENT. Here,  the talented leads of RENT take us on their personal journeys through auditions, getting the final call, playing their characters, and, finally, what they hope those sell-out audiences take away with them...."
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DC THEATRE SCENE
"Musically, this show is stunning ... The band plays with energy and vitality ... a powerful young cast ... The ensemble is rife with excellent singers.  Directors Mark and Susan Rhea make excellent use of their cast and space.  Set designer George Lucas creates a versatile open space multi-level stage that gives the feel of a low-rent New York loft and still leaves excellent sight lines for all the action.  ...  Keegan’s RENT is better than the national tour."
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DC THEATRE SCENE:  "Creating RENT, Keegan Style"
"When Keegan Theatre announced its upcoming production of the Tony Award and Pulitzer winning musical RENT, I asked co-directors Mark Rhea and Susan Rhea if I could sit in on the auditions. On August 1st and 2nd, I watched from the top right corner of Church Street Theatre and watched some of the most talented young actors and singers sing their hearts out. ..."
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WASHINGTON CITY PAPER
"Fifteen pretty sensational voices ... Rent’s very specific concerns—not least among them how queers and punks and people living with HIV and AIDS can live fully, vibrantly among a population that outright fears them—seem just as vital now as they must have at the show’s first staged reading in the spring of 1993. ... The Keegan Theatre cast sells those notions with energy and spirit ..."
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THE WASHINGTON POST
"seriously convincing ... Strong, controlled voices rise from every corner of the Church Street Theater’s brick-walled stage, and it’s clear that co-directors Mark A. Rhea and Susan Marie Rhea have done their casting well. ... the ladies deliver with knockout force ... Emily Levey is as vocally sure a Mimi as I’ve heard ... Katie McManus is as impressive as JoAnne ... nearly all the performers are likable and surprisingly capable ... with this hungry troupe generally making good on the heartbreak and uplift Larson hardwired into his score, the show sounds as vital as ever."
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THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
"Brilliant ’Rent’ takes stage ... Keegan Theatre has opened a sizzling production of "Rent" ... directors Mark Rhea and Susan Rhea bring into brilliant focus Larson’s message ... All the voices in this production are remarkable ... This production creates a vivid impression of a community determined to own, instead of rent, its world, and to be respected citizens of that world, not a marginalized minority." 
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WASHINGTON POST MAGAZINE
"Don’t Miss!"
-December 20, 2009

METRO WEEKLY
"Keegan’s Terrific ’RENT’ Is Worth Every Penny ....  Simple, uncluttered, and filled out with a talented cast that reflects the diversity and raw spirit of the show’s original intent, Rent is a triumph.  .... the core cast is supported by an emsemble that delivers the show’s big numbers with power and a magnetic passion....  there’s a lovely intimacy at Church Street that elevates the real heart of the musical-- the importance of community. ... "
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DRAMAURGE
"a vibrant and energized production ... a compact performance piece which allows the superb choreography, solid musical score, and total ensemble effort to unfold fluidly. ... Mr. and Mrs. Rhea make good use of the well-cast ensemble ... Musical director Aaron Broderick and his five talented musicians (several also act) are commendable in realizing the essentials of Larson’s ambitious and eclectic score.  Highly recommended.  If you haven’t seen it, now’s your chance; and if you have, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in this enthusiastic production ..."
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ALL ARTS REVIEW 4 U
"This production is spectacular and a real coup for directors Mark Rhea and Susan Marie Rhea ... All of the cast members could also be credited with fantastic voices ... get your tickets immediately for this hopefully award-winning production for Keegan..."
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RICH MASSABNY REVIEWS
"a first class production by The Keegan Theatre ... I’ve seen four or five versions over the last 15 years and Keegan’s is the best! ... Terrific.  Do not miss RENT!"
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WTOP NEWS
"BARBER’S BEST BETS ... it’s more than a little appropriate that the Keegan Theatre Company is reviving this rock and roll update of La Bohème at this time of year...."
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DC AGENDA (formerly the Washington Blade)
"Keegan puts a powerfully intimate spin on the enormously popular Broadway blockbuster. ... the rock band perched behind a scrim at the back of the stage and the talented, fresh-faced young cast sound great throughout the nearly three hour show. Directors Mark A. Rhea and Susan Marie Rhea have captured the gritty vitality and excitement of the pre-gentrified East Village. George Lucas’ grimy, two-tiered dark metal set is spot on and Kelly Peacock and Shadia Hafiz’s costumes exude an authentic mix of punk and thrift store finds."
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SHOWBIZ RADIO
"A must see ...  The cast is spectacular and the small space provides an intimate experience. ...  Directors Mark A. Rhea and Susan Marie Rhea have done a lot of justice to this show.  ... A great evening by the Keegan Theatre..."
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