BWW Exclusive: The Story of How RENT Came to Be
Tonight, FOX will air their third live musical production. Following in the footsteps of Grease and A Christmas Story, the network will be presenting Jonathan Larson's Rent, a rock musical that is loosely based on Giacomo Puccini's 1896 opera, La boheme. The story follows a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in New York City's East Village in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
BWW Reviews: Entertaining Version of GREASE at The MUNY
There have been a lot of versions of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey's (book, music and lyrics) GREASE that I've seen over the years. Only one, New Line Theatre's brilliant staging a few years back, actually adhered to the musical as originally conceived. The majority have followed the template laid down by the 1978 movie version that was tailored to fit the stars; Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. That's the version currently gracing the stage of The MUNY, although it features a number of interesting changes, beginning with a choral version of the opening "Alma Mater" that actually utilizes the lyrics to the song "We Go Together". It's certainly an entertaining ride, and is much improved in many ways over the version staged here back in 2007.
Photo Flash: Behind the Scenes of Muny's GREASE
The Muny presents the sixth show of its 96th season, Grease, directed and choreographed by Denis Jones, with music direction by Michael Horsley. Grease is sponsored by Emerson. Check out the Instagram photos below!
STAGE TUBE: Phyllis Smith Talks Muny's GREASE
The Muny presents the sixth show of its 96th season, Grease, directed and choreographed by Denis Jones, with music direction by Michael Horsley. Grease is sponsored by Emerson. Check out a look at Phyllis Smith as Miss Lynch in the video below!
Photo Coverage: Inside Closing Night of RENT at New World Stages!
The off-Broadway production of Rent closed last night, September 9, at New World Stages. The production played 32 previews and 450 performances. Rent, which is written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, opened at the theater on August 11, 2011. Check out photos from the final curatin call below!
BWW Flashback: RENT Closes at New World Stages Today, September 9
The off-Broadway production of Rent will close after the performance today, September 9, at New World Stages. The production will have played 32 previews and 450 performances. Rent, which is written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, opened at the theater on August 11, 2011. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you on a multimedia flashback through the show's return to New York!
Josh Grisetti, Justin Johnston and Rashad Naylor Begin Performances in RENT Tomorrow
Josh Grisetti, Justin Johnston, and Rashad Naylor begin performances tomorrow, January 20, in the roles of Mark, Roger, and Benny, respectively, in the hit off-Broadway production of Rent, currently playing at New World Stages.
Emma Hunton, Josh Grisetti and Justin Johnston Join Cast of RENT
According to the show's Facebook page, Emma Hunton Josh Grisetti, and Justin Johnston will join the cast of off-Broadway's RENT on January 20. Johnston wrote on Twitter: 'That's right. I start Jan. 18 at New World Stages in NYC. Who knew... Roger'. Hunton added: 'So excited for rehearsal tomorrow. Make sure you all come down to New World Stages and come see Rent.' The trio will replace Annaleigh Ashford, Adam Chanler-Berat and Matt Shindledecker as Maureen, Mark and Roger.
STAGE TUBE: RENT Cast Sings 'Seasons of Love' on LIVE WITH REGIS & KELLY
The cast of the landmark musical Rent performed today on Regis Philbin's final episode of 'Live! with Regis and Kelly.' Mr. Philbin's extraordinary run was celebrated in his final minutes on the show with a surprise performance of Rent's signature song, 'Seasons of Love,' with special lyrics penned for the occasion by the production teams of both shows. Check out the performance below!
Breaking: RENT to Make Surprise Appearance on Regis Philbin's Last Episode
The cast of the landmark musical Rent will perform today on Regis Philbin's final episode of 'Live! with Regis and Kelly.' Mr. Philbin's extraordinary run will be celebrated in his final minutes on the show with a surprise performance of Rent's signature song, 'Seasons of Love,' with special lyrics penned for the occasion by the production teams of both shows. The episode airs in New York on WABC-TV at 9am. (Check local listings for times in other areas.)
STAGE TUBE: Angela Wendt and Lisa Zinni on RENT's New Costumes
The new, off-Broadway production of RENT opened August 11 at New World Stages. The resurrection of the cult classic, written by Jonathan Larson, is being directed by Michael Greif, who directed the show's original off-Broadway and Broadway productions. The creative team includes choreographer Larry Keigwin, music supervisor Tim Weil, set designer Mark Wendland, costume designer Angela Wendt, lighting designer Kevin Adams, sound designer Brian Ronan, and projection designer by Peter Nigrini. In the video below, original and current costume designers Angela Wendt and Lisa Zinni talk about how the costumes in 'RENT' have evolved over the years and what can be expected in the Off-Broadway revival.
Review - Rent: At The Start of The Millennium
In a week where we've been reminded how even the classics of the American musical stage are rarely revived in Broadway or Broadway-bound productions without their deceased authors' work being anything from tweaked to drastically rewritten, it's very refreshing to see a major revival where the material has been kept as it was and the show has simply been creatively refreshed. Director Michael Greif, who staged the original New York Theatre Workshop production of Rent that quickly moved to Broadway, gives us a new Off-Broadway mounting at New World Stages that looks at the material from a wholly different angle without any noticeable changes to the late Jonathan Larson's text. While still a life-affirming celebration of youthful passions and the need to create, this presentation is grittier and more realistic than the original, performed by an excellent ensemble placing their own interesting stamps on what, after 12 years on Broadway, many would consider iconic roles.
Photo Coverage: RENT Opening Night After Party
The new, off-Broadway production of RENT opened last night Thursday, August 11 at New World Stages. The resurrection of the cult classic, written by Jonathan Larson, is being directed byMichael Greif, who directed the show's original off-Broadway and Broadway productions. The creative team includes choreographer Larry Keigwin, music supervisor Tim Weil, set designerMark Wendland, costume designer Angela Wendt, lighting designer Kevin Adams, sound designerBrian Ronan, and projection designer by Peter Nigrini. Check out our photo coverage of the opening night party below!