Cast of 'Rent' To Appear On GMA In Bryant Park, 8/1

The cast of the landmark Broadway musical Rent will perform as part of the "Good Morning America" Summer Concert Series on Friday, August 1, between the hours of 8am and 9am in Bryant Park, 41 Street and Sixth Avenue.

The concert will include a special performance by original cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp who are not currently in the Broadway company, but who will be starting a national tour of the show in Cleveland, Ohio on January 6, 2009.

The cast of Rent includes Tracie Thoms who starred as Joanne in the movie of Rent and has come to the Broadway company in the same role as well as Will Chase as Roger, Renee Goldsberry as Mimi, Eden Espinosa as Maureen, Michael McElroy as Collins, Adam Kantor as Mark, Justin Johnston as Angel, Rodney Hicks as Benny with Shaun Earl, Andrea Goss, Marcus Paul James, Telly Leung, Tracy McDowell, Jay Wilkison, and Gwen Stewart ("Seasons of Love" soloist). Rodney Hicks and Gwen Stewart were both in the original company of Rent and have rejoined the cast to close the show.

Suggested arrival time for the concert is 7am or earlier, but it is NOT recommended to arrive before 5am. "Good Morning America" airs from 7 – 9am; the concert ends at 9am. Fans arriving at Bryant Park should stand on the general audience line that has formed at the back entrance of the park. VIP tickets are not available for these concerts. This is a free concert open to the public; no ticket is necessary.

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 is scheduled to close on Sunday, September 7.

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 may be purchased by phoning TicketMaster at (212) 307-4100 or by visiting ticketmaster.com. A limited number of $20 tickets are available day of performance at the box office.