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Rent at Stratford Festival Theatre

Why see Rent?

No Day But Today!

Don't miss this local production of Rent, one of theater's most vibrant, bold, and important musicals! The winner of four Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Jonathan Larson's seminal musical is a fearless portrait of an HIV-stricken group of New Yorkers, set to a propulsive rock 'n' roll score. Driven by an energetic pace that never lets up, Rent is overflowing with great songs and characters and ultimately forms an electrifying portrait of life and love flourishing in the face of adversity.  It's one of Broadway's best-loved musicals, and it's coming to you!

Rent originally opened amidst tragedy in 1996, with its author Jonathan Larson dying unexpectedly just hours before the show's Off-Broadway premiere. The huge acclaim which greeted his creation ensured his place in theatrical history though, with Variety calling it "the best show in years, if not decades". Rent was subsequently adapted for the screen in 2005, with many of the original Broadway cast, including Idina Menzel, Taye Diggs and Anthony Rapp, reprising their roles.

What Is The Story Of Rent?

Like its inspiration, Puccini's La Boheme, Rent follows the lives of a band of bohemians who are struggling to keep their heads above water. In this version they're living in modern day New York, and the oppressive spectre of HIV/AIDs, rather than tuberculosis, hangs over them.

The starving artists include film-maker Mark, whose girlfriend Maureen has left him for another woman, and his HIV positive roommate Roger, who is trying to write "the" song before dying. Roger is also caught in the midst a whirlwind relationship with S&M dancer and heroin addict Mimi.

Did You Know?

The original Broadway production ran for an incredible 12 years and 5,123 performances, making it the tenth-longest-running Broadway show in history!

Key Information

Audience

Recomended for mature audiences, contains strong language and sex references

Run Time

Two hours and 30 minutes with one interval

Dates

Finished Oct 28, 2023

US Dollars

All prices are presented, and all transactions are processed, in US Dollars (USD)

Cast

Logan Marks as Mark Cohen
Joshua Bess as Roger Davis
Deri'andra Tucker as Mimi Marquez
Devinre Adams as Tom Collins
Javon King as Angel Dumott Schunard
Lyndie Moe as Maureen Johnson
Lencia Kebede as Joanne Jefferson
Xavier McKinnon as Benny Coffin III
Cody Jenkins as Gordon/understudy Roger Davis

Creative

Book, Music & Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Based on La Boheme by Puccini
Original Direction by Michael Greif
Staged by Evan Ensign
Choreography by Marlies Yearby

Reviews

Customer reviews

85 reviews, average rating: (2.1 Stars)

Steve Perrone

Rent

The cast was great theater was great over all it was just like being in NYC for the show ... Read more

Anne

17 years in the making

I have loved Rent ever since I was introduced to it in the early 00’s. I see people complaining about singing, chemistry etc. I have to say I did not see any of those issues. The singing was dynamic, the portrayals were believable. I sang along the whole show but at times became so wrapped up in the performance I forgot to sing. I would recommend seeing this tour to anyone that loves Rent but would also recommend investing in Kleenex when you go. ... Read more

JoAnne

Rent

Just saw rent at Stratford last night. Had only seen the movie previously. I found this production very enjoyable and powerful in moments. At the onset Stratford Mark was more engaging than movie Mark and knocked it out of the park with the tango number and everything else. Maureen is tough if not impossible to replicate but I loved Stratford Maureen and Stratford Joanne in all their numbers.. I particularly loved Stratford Mimi...Movie Mimi fell flat for me but Stratford Mimi was vibrant portrayed issues and had a much better singing voice. Stratford Tom Collins was excellent. Just loved this production much more than the movie. Thank you all for your effort. ... Read more

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