Backes, Bahorek, Bowen Cast In John W. Engeman Theater's RENT 9/10-11/1

The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport is pleased to announce its next production, the Long Island professional premiere of RENT. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Four Tony Awards, a New York Drama Critics Circle Award, Six Drama Desk Awards, Three Obie Awards and a Drama League Award, RENTis the groundbreaking theater experience that has transformed a generation of theater-goers. Set in New York City's gritty East Village, this revolutionary rock musical is an imaginative retelling of the classic Puccini opera, LA BOHEME. This unforgettable story of a group of starving artists, who despite poverty and illness, learn to fall in love and find their voices, brings a universal message of hope for everyone.

In an ongoing effort to help raise funds for community organizations, the John W. Engeman Theater at Northport has announced it has set a goal to raise $50,000 for AIDS care on Long Island during the Long Island Professional Premiere of the award winning Broadway hit RENT playing September 10 - November 1, 2009. A portion of every ticket sold during the production of RENT at the John W. Engeman Theater will go to benefit two organizations that provide exemplary AIDS care to Long Islanders: The Long Island Association for AIDS Care, Inc. (LIAAC), and Thursday's Child.

Press Opening is Saturday, September 12, 2009 at 8:00 pm

RENT will play the following performance schedule: Thursdays at 8:00 p.m., Fridays at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.

IN ADDITION, there will be matinees on the following days: Saturday September 19, October 3, October 17 and October 31 at 3:00pm.

ALSO there will performances on Sunday September 27, October 11, and October 25 at 7:00pm.

Tickets are NOW ON SALE and are $60. Tickets may be purchased by calling (631) 261-2900, by visiting www.engemantheater.com, or at the Engeman Theater Box Office at 250 Main Street, Northport. Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express accepted.

RENT is produced for the John W. Engeman Theater by Richard T. Dolce, the theater's Producing Artistic Director. The director is Alan Souza whose regional credits stretch up and down the East Coast from The Maltz Jupiter Theater to The NJ Repertory Company. Recently he directed LITTLE WOMEN and CRAZY FOR YOU at the John W. Engeman Theater. The choreographer is Karl Christian who has choreographed for many Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS benefits, including Gypsy of the Year, The Easter Bonnet Competition and BROADWAY BARES. The musical director is Mike Pettry who is a New York based composer/lyricist and musician and who recently performed in ROOMS: A ROCK ROMANCE (off-Broadway run at New World Stages. The Casting Director is Stephen DeAngelis who has been a member of the John W. Engeman Theater since its inception and has cast all of the main stage productions as well as the ongoing Broadway Concert Series. Stephen is on staff at Grey NYC having cast over 2,200 network television and radio commercials. The Production Manager is Michael Leslie.

The Design Team includes Todd Ivins (Scenic Designer) who has designed a number of Off-Broadway shows including FATHERS & SONS, and TIME OF YOUR LIFE. John Davenport (Costume Designer) who most recently comes from the National Tour of HAIRSPRAY. Cory Pattak (Lighting Designer) who was the Associate Lighting Designer for THE STORY OF MY LIFE and IRENA'S VOW on Broadway. Richard Dionne (Sound Designer) who is the production manager and head of the technical direction graduate program at Purdue University. Mark Adam Rampmeyer (Hair and Wig Designer) returns to the John W. Engeman Theater after designing numerous shows in its first two seasons. He recently completed work on the Hartford Stage Company production of THE MILK TRAIN DOESN'T STOP HERE ANYMORE starring Olympia Dukakis and also recently worked with Cybill Shepherd on her one woman production of CURVY WIDOW for the Post Street Theatre in San Francisco. The Production Stage Manager is Sarah Goshman.

The cast of RENT features Mike Backes (Roger) who returns to the John W. Engeman Theater stage after performing in SMOKEY JOE'S CAFÉ and JEKYLL & HYDE and was most recently in the Las Vegas production of JERSEY BOYS; Stanley Bahorek (Mark) who performed on Broadway in SPELLING BEE, Anna Bowen (Mimi) who returns to the John W. Engeman Theater after performing in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS last fall, MiLes Johnson (Benny) who performed in the National Tours of RENT and MISS SAIGON; Alan Mingo, Jr. (Collins) who before starring in the Broadway production of RENT performed in the 1st & 2nd national companies as well as, staged, choreographed, and performed in the Italian version, produced by the late Luciano Pavarotti; Betsy Morgan (Maureen) who comes to the theater after performing in the Broadway productions of THE LITTLE MERMAID and HIGH FIDELITY; Reymundo Santiago (Angel) who returns to the John W. Engeman Theater after performing in both JEKYLL & HYDE and A WONDERFUL LIFE; and Brit West (Joanne).

The cast also includes Kyle Taylor Breeding, Cara Buschi, Tom Hennes, Jonathan Kitt, Peter Kriss, Tara Novie, Nicholas Park, La'Nette Wallace, and Brooke Wilson.

The John W. Engeman Theater is Long Island's only year round professional theater company, utilizing actors from the Broadway union - Actors' Equity Association. Shows are performed year round in the heart of Northport village amidst a scene of elegant restaurants and beautiful boutiques. The newly renovated Theater offers stadium-style seating, a full orchestra pit, state-of-the-art lighting and sound, and a classic wood-paneled piano lounge with full bar.

For more information contact the theater directly at 631-261-2900, visit the box office at 250 Main Street, Northport or visit www.EngemanTheater.com . For more information about LIAAC visit www.LIAAC.org , and for information about Thursday's Child visit www.THURSDAYSCHILDOFLI.org .

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