Renee Elise Goldsberry To Join 'Rent' Cast 6/16

Renée Elise Goldsberry, two-time Emmy and NAACP Image award nominee for her four year long role as lawyer Evangeline Williamson on "One Life To Live," joins the cast of Rent on Monday, June 16.  Goldsberry created the role of Nettie in The Color Purple on Broadway, won accolades (including New York Magazines' Distinguished Performance Award) for Silvia in Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare in the Park), and starred as adult Nala in The Lion King on Broadway.  (Tamyra Gray plays Mimi through Sunday, June 15.)

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 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, priced $45-$100, can be purchased by calling TicketMaster at (212) 307-4100.  A limited number of $20 tickets are available day of performance at the box office.