2 Rent Party Reviews, Discount Rent Party Tickets

Members say: Slow, Ambitious, Clever

Set in Harlem in the 1920s, this new work invites you to follow Rose, Jenny, and Ricky as they help their mammas throw a rent party to save their home. More…

From the show:

In the early 1900s African-Americans began to migrate north in large numbers. Harlem was where their community was, so many moved there, despite the high rents. Rent parties became a popular way for families to raise the rent money they needed. They would hire a musician or band, get cheap refreshments and charge a small entry fee.

An innovative toy theater fills the stage, a replica of a Harlem block from the 1920s. Lights flicker on as people awake. We see toy theater puppets, shadows come to life in windows, and at a certain point the whole set transforms. All the while actors frolic in 20s costumes, original saxophone music plays through the speakers and a cat does back alley beat poetry. We’re transported in time to an era poignant and pivotal to the African-American experience in this country and people of all ages should know these stories, hear these words and listen to this music.

1h 0m | Already closed | The Tank (Midtown W)

Cast & Creatives | View Trailer | Official Site

Member Reviews (1)

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Jo 8302
New York City

21 reviews

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Slow, Ambitious, Clever

July 16th, 2019

See it if you'd like a slice of African-Americana; you appreciate the artistry & creativity involved in puppetry and animation.

Don't see it if you only want to see a "real" play rather than a puppet show, though it's not the traditional type of puppet show.

Also "Slow" may be too harsh for this show that runs under an hour, but the pacing wasn't ideal. That's the main criticism of what is a rather charming, certainly creative production. Five actors perform a story about African-American life in 1920s Harlem. The "stage" is a dollhouse-like representation of a block in Harlem. There is shadow puppetry as well as puppetry using puppets that are more like cut-outs. The only "traditional" puppet is a narrator character, and the puppeteer is ON the stage (like in Avenue Q). Sometimes the actors are behind the set, as in traditional puppetry, and sometimes they come out in front of it to act. There is period & original music. Be sure to go up and examine the set -- audience is invited to after the show -- to really appreciate the artistry. Show overall is personal & heartfelt.... Read more Read less

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Critic Reviews (1)

Mark Dundas Wood |

July 15th, 2019

"'Rent Party' is billed as a show for the whole family, but it will be of real interest primarily to preteen children. At that, it seems a rather dull outing. The actors here tend to speak in a sing-song-y manner. Very little humor or visual excitement ensues."
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