Anthony Rapp & Adam Pascal to Star in New 'Rent' Tour

Original Broadway cast members of Rent, Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp will reprise their roles in the show's upcoming national tour.  The new tour is scheduled to begin in January 2009.  The current tour of the show is playing through June 2008.

Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp originated the roles of Roger Davis and Mark Cohen at the New York Theatre Workshop, on Broadway, and in London, and recreated their roles in the 2005 movie version of the musical.  Pascal and Rapp returned to Rent on Broadway for a limited engagement in the summer of 2007.

Adam Pascal received Obie and Theatre World awards and a Tony nomination for best actor for 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 recordings include "Model Prisoner" (2000) and "Civilian" (2004).

Anthony Rapp has appeared on Broadway in Rent, Precious Sons (Outer Critics Circle Award), Six Degrees of Separation, and the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. His films include 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, Scaring the Fish and Rent. 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. 

Tours of Rent have crisscrossed the North American almost continuously since late 1996 grossing over $330 million.  The musical has been translated into every major language and been performed on six continents, including in the following countries Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, Rent 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. 

A full tour route will be announced shortly.  For more information on the show, visit www.siteforrent.com.

Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal (photo by Linda Lenzi)