Recession-era ‘Rent’ is even more relevant
Under the sure-handed direction of Benjamin Evett, New Repertory Theatre’s “Rent’’ navigates that fine line between the heart-on-its-sleeve earnestness essential to the success of this musical and the melodramatic excess that perpetually threatens to capsize it. Aimee Doherty, playing a narcissistic performance artist named Maureen, leaps at the chance to showcase her comic chops. And John Amb…