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Rent 1996 - Articles Page 2

Opened: January 26, 1996
Closing: March 31, 1996

Rent - 1996 Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Rent is a powerful and poignant musical that follows the lives of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to make ends meet in New York City's Alphabet City in the late 1980s. The shadow of HIV/AIDS hangs heavy over their lives, adding a layer of urgency and heartbreak to their struggles.



The story centers around Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, who documents the lives of his friends Roger, a talented but self-destructive musician grappling with AIDS, Mimi, a fragile and drug-addicted dancer who falls in love with Roger, Collins, a philosophical philosophy professor, and Angel, a drag queen with a heart of gold.



The musical explores themes of love, loss, friendship, addiction, and the search for meaning in a world facing a devastating health crisis. Rent's powerful music, a blend of rock and pop, and its honest portrayal of these characters' struggles resonated deeply with audiences, making it a cultural phenomenon. It became a touchstone for a generation grappling with issues of identity, sexuality, and loss.


Rent - 1996 - Off-Broadway Cast

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Rent - 1996 - Off-Broadway Articles Page 2

STAGE TUBE: HAMILTON Producer Jeffrey Seller Explains the Future of Storytelling
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 13, 2016


Jeffrey Seller believes there are ways in which the digital age falls short. For him, the experience of live theater fulfills a deep visceral need for live storytelling in a way that cannot be replaced.

BWW Interviews: Kevin McCollum, productor de Broadway
by Juan-Jose Gonzalez - Jun 16, 2016


Pocos dias despues de los Tony, hablamos con el productor de tres grandes titulos premiados con el codiciado galardon, que han cambiado el panorama de Broadway en los ultimos 20 años: RENT, AVENUE Q e IN THE HEIGHTS.

Tony Award Countdown: 30 Years In 30 Days, Julie Larson Accepts RENT Tonys For Her Brother Jonathan, 1996
by Michael Dale - May 24, 2016


The sister of RENT's late author gives an inspiring message for those who are still scraping by for their art.

Andrew Lippa Musical THE MAN IN THE CEILING & More Set for Bay Street's New Works Festival
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 18, 2016


 Bay Street Theater & Sag Harbor Center for the Arts is pleased to announce the 3rd ANNUAL NEW WORKS FESTIVAL, April 29 - May 1. THE READINGS ARE FREE. Reserve seats online at www.baystreet.org or by calling the Bay Street Theater Box Office at 631-725-9500, open Tuesday through Saturday 11 am to 5 pm.

BWW Exclusive: How Do You Measure 20 Years in the Life of RENT? The Original Cast Reflects on 1996
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 25, 2016


10,512,000 minutes. It might not sound as catchy, but it's a number that certainly makes an impression. 10,512,000 minutes ago, the world was changed forever when a new musical called RENT rocked New York for the first time. It was January 25, 1996 when Mimi, Roger, Mark, Collins, Maureen, Benny, Joanne and Angel came to life onstage at the 150-seat New York Theater Workshop- a run that would precede the show's 12-year stint on Broadway.

ON RECORD: Robin de Jesus' Five Favorite Cast Albums- 'It Had Such a Profound Effect on Me'
by On Record - Aug 18, 2015


Ever wonder which Broadway tunes have inspired your favorite performers? Check back every Tuesday for ON RECORD- to find out which cast recordings have made an impact on Broadway's brightest stars. In this week's edition, we hear from Robin de Jesus, who is currently starring as 'Boq' in Wicked- playing at the Gershwin Theatre. Read on to find out his top five picks!

ON RECORD: Sarah Stiles' Five Favorite Cast Albums- It Was Terrifying and Thrilling and I Wanted to Be a Part of It
by On Record - Jul 21, 2015


Ever wonder which Broadway tunes have inspired your favorite performers? Check back every Tuesday for ON RECORD- to find out which cast recordings have made an impact on Broadway's brightest stars. In this week's edition, we hear from Sarah Stiles, who is currently starring as 'Jessica' in Hand to God- playing at the Booth Theatre. Read on to find out her top five picks!

Broadway Producer Kevin McCollum Joins CCM Faculty
by BWW News Desk - May 20, 2015


Peter Landgren, dean and Thomas James Kelly professor of music at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM), has appointed leading Broadway producer Kevin McCollum to the position of Distinguished Visiting Professor. McCollum's initial appointment will be for three years and will become effective in August of 2015.

ON RECORD: Teal Wicks' Five Favorite Cast Albums- 'It Haunts Me and Still Gives Me Chills'
by On Record - May 12, 2015


BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you our latest weekly series- ON RECORD. Ever wonder which Broadway tunes have inspired your favorite performers? Check back every Tuesday to find out which cast recordings have made an impact on Broadway's brightest stars. In this week's edition, we hear from Teal Wicks, who is currently starring as 'Mary Barrie' in Finding Neverland- playing at the  Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Read on to find out her top five picks!

ON RECORD: Andy Kelso's Five Favorite Cast Albums- 'It Got Me Hooked on Musical Theater'
by On Record - Apr 21, 2015


BroadwayWorld is excited to bring you our latest weekly series- ON RECORD. Ever wonder which Broadway tunes have inspired your favorite performers? Check back every Tuesday to find out which cast recordings have made an impact on Broadway's brightest stars. In this week's edition, we hear from Andy Kelso, who is currently starring as 'Charlie' in Kinky Boots- playing at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. Read on to find out his top five picks!

Jess Goldstein, Douglas W. Schmidt & More to Receive 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards
by Tyler Peterson - Mar 3, 2015


Tony Award-winning costume designer, JESS GOLDSTEIN (currently represented on Broadway with Jersey Boys and On the Town), and scenic designer DOUGLAS W. SCHMIDT are among the 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Awards recipients. The awards will be presented at a ceremony on Friday, May 1, at 6:30pm, at the Hudson Theatre (145 West 44th Street). Mr. Goldstein was selected to receive the 2015 TDF/Irene Sharaff Lifetime Achievement Award for costume design and Mr. Schmidt will receive the Robert L.B. Tobin Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatrical Design.

Breaking News: SMASH Stars Brian d'Arcy James and Christian Borle to Reunite in SOMETHING ROTTEN! on Broadway
by BWW News Desk - Jan 8, 2015


Producer Kevin McCollum is proud to announce that Broadway favorite leading men and 'Smash' costars, two time Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James (Shrek, Sweet Smell of Success) and Tony Award winner Christian Borle (Peter and the Starcatcher) will return to the stage to star in Something Rotten!, a completely original new musical comedy directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin), with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winner Wayne Kirkpatrick and Golden Globe Award nominee Karey Kirkpatrick and a book by Karey Kirkpatrick and best-selling author John O'Farrell.

20th Century Fox Enlists Broadway Producer Kevin McCollum, Filmmaker John Davis and More to Develop New Stage Musicals
by BWW News Desk - Jul 11, 2013


20th Century Fox has formed a joint venture with top Broadway producer and Tony Award winner Kevin McCollum (Motown, Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights), prolific film producer John Davis (Predator, The Firm, Grumpy Old Men, I Robot, Chronicle) and leading industry executive Tom McGrath, to develop live stage productions based upon the studio's vast library of films.

Jeffrey Seller Directs Dallas Theater Center's FLY World Premiere, Beg. Tonight
by BWW News Desk - Jul 2, 2013


Dallas Theater Center presents the world premiere of Fly, a new musical based on J.M. Barrie's novel, Peter Pan. Three-time Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights) makes his directorial debut with this production.

THIS IS NOT OVER YET: Paul W. Thompson's Set List for June 13th Released!
by Paul W. Thompson - Jun 5, 2013


Last month, Chicago's St. James Cathedral announced its fourth summer of free concerts, the "Music in the Neighborhood" series. And for the third straight year, BroadwayWorld Chicago's Regional Editor, Paul W. Thompson, author of the weekly column, "The Showtune Mosh Pit," will be performing on the series! This year, Thompson's concert will take place on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at 5:30 pm at 65 E. Huron Street in Chicago's Magnificent Mile neighborhood. His show is called, 'This Is Not Over Yet: Broadway Songs of the Millennial Era (1995-2003)." And today, his set list is being released!

THIS IS NOT OVER YET: Paul W. Thompson's Set List for June 13th Released!
by Paul W. Thompson - Jun 6, 2013


Last month, Chicago's St. James Cathedral announced its fourth summer of free concerts, the "Music in the Neighborhood" series. And for the third straight year, BroadwayWorld Chicago's Regional Editor, Paul W. Thompson, author of the weekly column, "The Showtune Mosh Pit," will be performing on the series! This year, Thompson's concert will take place on Thursday, June 13, 2013, at 5:30 pm at 65 E. Huron Street in Chicago's Magnificent Mile neighborhood. His show is called, 'This Is Not Over Yet: Broadway Songs of the Millennial Era (1995-2003)." And today, his set list is being released!

Jeffrey Seller to Direct Dallas Theater Center's FLY World Premiere; Cast & Creative Team Announced!
by BWW News Desk - May 31, 2013


Dallas Theater Center announced the complete cast and creative team for the world premiere of Fly, a new musical based on J.M. Barrie's novel, Peter Pan. Three-time Tony Award-winning producer Jeffrey Seller (Rent, Avenue Q, In the Heights) makes his directorial debut with this production.

Berry Gordy Jr.'s Autobiographical MOTOWN Musical Gathers Creative Team
by James T Harding - Jun 15, 2012


Kevin McCollum and Doug Morris will co-produce MOTOWN on Broadway next year, according to Michael Riedel in the New York Post. The musical is a biographical jukebox musical using the story and Motown hit catalogue of Berry Gordy Jr.. Charles Randolph-Wright will direct.

Producers Kevin McCollum and Jeffrey Seller Dissolve Partnership
by Nicole Rosky - Jan 6, 2012


According to the New York Times, Broadway producing team Kevin McCollum and Jeffrey Seller decided to end their partnership to produce independently. The duo, which has been working together for 21 years, are the founders of The Producing Office, established in 1994. They described their decision as a 'natural evolution.'

Harvey Fierstein, Jeffrey Tambor Begin Run in LA CAGE AUX FOLLES Tomorrow!
by Nicole Rosky - Feb 14, 2011


Four-time Tony Award-winner Harvey Fierstein and six-time Emmy Award nominee Jeffrey Tambor are the new stars of the Tony Award-winning revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. Tambor and Fierstein begin performances tomorrow night at the Longacre Theatre (220 West 48th Street).

Actors Fund Honors Bening, McCollum & Tisch 4/12; Jackson Hosts Ceremony
by BWW News Desk - Apr 12, 2010


As BroadwayWorld previously reported, On Monday, April 12, The Actor's Fund will host their annul gala at the Marriott Marquis. The gala will honor three stars of stage, screen and business: three-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening ('Being Julia,' 'American Beauty,' 'The Grifters'), four-time Tony Award-winning producer Kevin McCollum ('Rent,' 'Avenue Q,' 'In the Heights,' 'Private Lives'), and Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels Jonathan Tisch.

The Actors Fund Honors Annette Bening, Kevin McCollum & More At Gala 4/12
by BWW News Desk - Apr 12, 2010


The Actors Fund's annual gala on Monday, April 12, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, will honor three stars of stage, screen and business: three-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening ('Being Julia,' 'American Beauty,' 'The Grifters'), four-time Tony Award-winning producer Kevin McCollum ('Rent,' 'Avenue Q,' 'In the Heights,' 'Private Lives'), and Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels Jonathan Tisch.

The Actors Fund Honors Annette Bening, Kevin McCollum & More At Gala 4/12
by Gabrielle Sierra - Apr 8, 2010


The Actors Fund's annual gala on Monday, April 12, 2010 at the Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway, will honor three stars of stage, screen and business: three-time Academy Award nominee Annette Bening ('Being Julia,' 'American Beauty,' 'The Grifters'), four-time Tony Award-winning producer Kevin McCollum ('Rent,' 'Avenue Q,' 'In the Heights,' 'Private Lives'), and Chairman and CEO of Loews Hotels Jonathan Tisch.

Rent History

Other Productions of Rent

1996   Off-Broadway Original Off-Broadway Production
Off-Broadway
1996   Broadway Broadway Transfer
Broadway
1997   US Tour US National Tour (Benny Tour)
US Tour
1998   West End London Production
West End
2002   West End Return Engagement [West End]
West End
2005   US Tour NETWorks Tour
US Tour
2006   Broadway Reunion Concert
Broadway
2007   West End Revised London Production
West End
2009   US Tour The Broadway Tour [National Tour]
US Tour
2011   Off-Broadway Off-Broadway Revival
Off-Broadway
2016   US Tour Non-Equity 20th Anniversary National Tour
US Tour
2016   West End West End Revival
West End
2019   Broadway FOX Live Televised Production
Broadway

Rent - 1996 Off-Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners will appear on a background
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1996 Obie Awards Special Citations The Acting Ensemble
1996 Obie Awards Special Citations Michael Greif
1996 Obie Awards Special Citations for Composer/Writer Jonathan Larson

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