RIALTO CHATTER: Neil Patrick Harris to Direct RENT at the Hollywood Bowl?

Amid concerts and events this summer at the Hollywood Bowl, a production of Jonathan Larson's Tony-winning RENT is set to run three performances at the Bowl from August 6 through August 8, 2010.

BroadwayWorld.com's RIALTO CHATTER is hearing lots of buzz from our LA sources that directing the production will be none other than RENT alumnus and star of stage and screen, Neil Patrick Harris. Harris himself starred in RENT, playing Mark Cohen for the Los Angeles production / 2nd National Tour of the musical. His performance in RENT earned him a Drama League Award in 1997.

A television staple since his Golden Globe-nominated role in "Doogie Howser, M.D.," Neil Patrick Harris has since established himself in all mediums. He currently stars on the hit CBS comedy, "How I Met Your Mother". Named one of the "2008 Entertainers of the Year" by Entertainment Weekly, Harris served as host of the 61st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards and the 63rd Annual Tony Awards.

In the theater, he most recently starred in Arthur Miller's "All My Sons" at the Geffen Playhouse. Other recent theater credits include star-turns in the London musical production of Jonathan Larson's "Tick, Tick...Boom," the Tony Award-winning musical "Assassins," "Cabaret" and "Proof."

Additional television credits include the series "Stark Raving Mad," "Will & Grace," "NUMB3RS," the mini-series "Joan of Arc," both on CBS, and the CBS television movie "The Christmas Blessing."

The Hollywood Bowl has been the scene of some of the most memorable musical moments in Lost Angeles history for over 70 years.  The Bowl plays host to all genres of music including symphonies, opera, jazz, ballet, rock concerts, musicals, and has even been the venue of choice for Presidential addresses.  In 2008 LIS MISERABLES IN CONCERT debuted and sold out at the Hollywood Bowl in a unique production featuring an all-star cast, and this past August GUYS AND DOLLS IN CONCERT was featured at the Bowl. Visit www.hollywoodbowl.com for ticket information and to purchase.

RENT is the seventh longest-running show in Broadway history, running 12 years. Set in NYC's East Village, RENT is a modern take on the classic Puccini opera, La Boheme. It tells the unforgettable story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and living for today. In 2005, RENT was adapted into a motion picture that features most of the original cast members from the Broadway production. Two original cast members, Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, returned to RENT to close the show on Broadway in 2008 and went on tour with RENT in 39 cities. The tour is scheduled to close February 7 playing it's final performance in Sacramento.