RENT to Close September 9 at New World Stages

The producers of the off-Broadway production of Rent have announced that the musical will close after the performance on Sunday, September 9. The production will have played 32 previews and 450 performances.

Rent, which is written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, opened at New World Stages on August 11, 2011.

The original production of 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, New York Drama Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award. Additionally, Rent is one of only eight musicals to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama. In all Rent won four Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards, two Theatre World Awards, and Obie Awards for its creator, director, and entire cast.

The original production closed on September 7, 2008, after playing 5,124 performances and 16 previews. Rent is the ninth longest running show in Broadway history. Tours of Rent have crisscrossed the country almost continuously since late 1996, including a successful tour starring original cast members Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp in 2009.

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.

Rent performs Monday and Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 7:30pm, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm, at New World Stages, 340 West 50 Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. Tickets may be purchased by visiting siteforrent.com or telecharge.com; by phoning 212-947-8844; or by going to the New World Stages box office, 340 West 50 Street. For more information about Rent, visit siteforrent.com.