Spoiler alert! He thinks the mixed American & Japanese casting is perfect.
Michael Greif is an American theatre director, with five Tony Award® nominations for RENT, Next to Normal, Grey Gardens, Dear Evan Hansen and Hell's Kitchen (currently running on Broadway). Greif’s three most recent productions, Hell's Kitchen, Days of Drinking and Roses, and The Notebook, were all running on Broadway at the same time.
On opening night of the RENT Japan Tour 2024, Greif and current director Trey Ellett surprised the mixed Japanese-American cast and audience with an appearance on stage during the curtain call.
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RENT Japan Tour 2024 is a US-Japan co-production, starring Koji Yamamoto from Japan as Mark, Alex Boniello from the U.S. as Roger, and Crystal Kay from Japan as Maureen. The rest of the American cast, including Chabely Ponce (Mimi,) Jordan Dobson (Angel), Aaron A. Harrington (Collins), Leanne Antonio (Joanne), Aaron James McKenzie (Benny), and the incredible ensemble join them in performing in Japan for the first time.
Michael Greif’s reaction to the success of this new international cast came as a beaming review.
“It was a very exciting and wonderful opening day. I think Koji was the perfect casting choice to bring this story to everyone. The storyline and characters of RENT may be a little far-fetched for the Japanese audience, but Koji acts as a bridge of awareness and understanding between us and the audience. Crystal Kay was also a beautiful Maureen. She's a wonderful actor. I'm very happy to be able to celebrate the opening day with Alex and other company members I know well, as well as members I'm meeting for the first time, and to feel the love of RENT from the Japanese audience.â€
This production is now playing in Japan through September 15th.
The show is presented in English with Japanese Subtitles.
Tickets are available at the official website: https://rent2024.jp
- Tokyo -
23 performances
August 21 – September 8, 2024
Tokyu Theatre Orb (Shibuya Hikarie 11F)
https://theatre-orb.com
- Osaka -
7 Performances
September 11 – 15, 2024
Sky Theatre MBS (JP Tower Osaka 6F)
https://stm-mle.jp
All tickets are reserved seating. Ticket prices (including tax) are as follows:
S seats 16,500 YEN
A seats 12,500 YEN
B seats 9,500 YEN
Angel seats 8,000 YEN
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