A brand new production of multi award winning Broadway musical Rent is to make its mark on Sydney for a very limited Season in 2008.
Rent has taken the world by storm, setting new boundaries for the modern musical. Rent swept the board at the prestigious Tony Awards incredibly taking home 4 awards including Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book. These honors are in addition to more than 15 other major awards, including the rare achievement of a musical winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Rent is a celebration of life. Told through the eyes of Mark, a struggling young filmmaker, Rent is an extraordinary story celebrating love, life, ambition, fidelity and the struggle for survival in today's unpredictable world.
Inspired by Puccini's ‘La Boheme', Rent is a joyous yet turbulent musical that explores the lives of a community of young New Yorkers as they struggle with the tough realities of today.
Rent's creator Jonathan Larson has produced one of the most original and triumphant theatrical scores ever. The contemporary music of Rent spans generational boundaries with influences of rock, blues, gospel, soul and tango. It points musical theatre powerfully towards the future inspiring world-wide audiences both young and old. Rent is one of the most dynamic and exciting pieces of musical theatre to have been born of recent years
The producers of RENT, Stagetek, are delighted to announce that this production will feature some of Australian most promising new starts in Musical Theatre. Introducing Jessica Bell, David Buckley, Luke Cheung, Jane Cormack, Tessa Coulter, Brad Dylan, Lloyd Harvey, Penny Horsfield, Marni Lefebvre, Edward Mafi, Nick Pes, Jamie-Leigh Russell, Jonny Sainsbury, Rebecca Scott, Daniel Tafeuni, Matt Vella, Brenton Wood and featuring pop/soul sensation Carmen Smith as Mimi.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to show what Sydney has to offer the Theatre Industry. I am delighted to be directing such wonderful talent. We have joined forces to create an exciting new interpretation of the iconic and cult followed piece by Jonathan Larson that keeps to the heart of the show, and bares its soul” Zana Cohen (Director)
Zana Cohen’s Directorial Vision is original and innovative. Joining forces with Musical Director Mark Chamberlain they have captured an energy rarely discovered on our stages today from such young and raw talent. RENT is also typically known for its industrial workshop appearance, Designers, Michael Watkins and Nicole Hodge, take this production of RENT soaring to a new level, with a stylish, contemporary and fresh set design and Chic and Modern Costuming.
“I believe it’s important to keep true to Jonathan Larson and his creative teams concept and ideas. However after twelve years it’s time to adapt the show to a modern audience” Nicole Hodge (Design)
This collaboration is sure to impress Theatre goers as well as the self proclaimed, RENT crazed “Rent Heads”.
Rent opens at the IO Myers Studio in Kensington June 27th 2008 for a limited season.
