Tamyra Gray, the popular first season finalist of "American Idol," joins the cast of Rent on Tuesday, May 29. Gray, who finished in fourth place on "Idol," will play the role of Mimi Marquez through November 25.
Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp originated the roles of Roger Davis and Mark Cohen, respectively, at New York Theatre Workshop, on Broadway, and in London. Pascal and Rapp recreated their roles in the 2005 movie version of the musical. They return to Rent for a limited six-week engagement, July 30 – September 9.
After "American Idol," Gray quickly landed a recurring role on the hit television series "Boston Public" as well as numerous guest spots on shows such as "What I Like About You" and "All of Us." Gray made her Broadway debut in the Bollywood-themed musical Bombay Dreams. She penned the songs "I Believe" for "Idol" winner Fantasia Barrino and "You Thought Wrong" for first season champion Kelly Clarkson. Gray appeared in the critically-acclaimed film, The Gospel.
Pascal received Obie and Theatre World awards and a Tony nomination for best actorfor his performance as Roger in the original cast of Rent. On Broadway he also originated the role of Radames in the hit musical Aida and starred as the Emcee in the long-running revival of Cabaret. Off-Broadway he co-produced the hit play Fully Committed. His film credits include Rent, School of Rock, SLC Punk!, Temptation, and Goyband. Pascal recently guest-starred on the hit television series "Cold Case." His cd's include Model Prisoner (2000) and Civilian (2004).
An actor since the age of six, Rapp has appeared on Broadway in Precious Sons (Outer Critics Circle Award), Six Degrees of Separation, and the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. His films include Rent, Adventures in Babysitting, School Ties, Dazed and Confused, Six Degrees of Separation, David Searching, Man of the Century, Road Trip, A Beautiful Mind, Open House, Winter Passing, Danny Roane: First Time Director, and Scaring the Fish. Television credits include "The X-Files", "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit", and "Kidnapped." His book, Without You: a Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent, about his experiences on and offstage, was published in 2006 by Simon & Schuster and became a national bestseller. Besides acting and writing, he also creates music with his band Albinokid, (having released a solo cd, Look Around, in 2000), and speaks regularly at colleges and universities.
Rent, written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, opened at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre, on April 29, 1996 following a history making, sold out, extended limited engagement at off-Broadway's New York Theatre Workshop. The musical went on to win every major best musical award, including the Tony Award, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for drama. Rent is the seventh longest running show in Broadway history.
Rent plays at the Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41 Street, between Seventh and Eighth Avenues) Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday at 8pm, Saturday at 2pm & 8pm, and Sunday at 2pm & 7pm. Tickets, priced $45-$100, can be purchased by calling TicketMaster at (212) 307-4100. A limited number of $20 tickets are available day of performance at the box office.
