RENT, The Broadway Tour Featuring Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp Arrives in Philadelphia at Academy of Music, February 3-8
JANUARY 9, 2009
Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp
Tickets on Sale Now!
Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum and Allan S. Gordon have announced that Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Gwen Stewart will reprise the roles they originated on Broadway in RENT, The Broadway Tour, coming to the Academy of Music for a limited one-week engagement beginning February 3 – 8, 2009. The press opening will be Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 7:30pm.
Part of the Kimmel Center's Broadway Series, tickets are now on sale ranging in price from $25 to $80, with a limited number of VIP premium seats available for $100. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-731-3333, online at www.kimmelcenter.org/broadway, at the Kimmel Center box office, Broad and Spruce Streets (open daily 10am to 6pm) or at the Academy of Music box office, Broad & Locust Streets (open during performances only). Groups of 15 or more will receive discounts for select performances by calling 215-790-5883 or 866-276-2947.
Performances include: Tuesday – Thursday evening at 7:30pm; Friday & Saturday evening at 8pm; Sunday evening at 6:30pm; matinees Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 1pm.
Joining Pascal and Rapp, who reprise their award-winning roles, and Stewart, are Nicolette Hart (Maureen Johnson), Justin Johnston (Angel Schunard), Lexi Lawson (Mimi Marquez), Michael McElroy (Tom Collins), Jacques C. Smith (Benjamin Coffin III) and Haneefah Wood (Joanne Jefferson). The ensemble is rounded out by Karmine Alers, Toby Blackwell, Adam Halpin, Trisha Jeffrey, Telly Leung, Caren Lyn Manuel, Cary Shields, Jed Resnick, Andy Senor, Yuka Takara and John Watson.
Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Gwen Stewart originated the roles of Roger Davis, Mark Cohen and "Seasons of Love" soloist, respectively, at New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway. Justin Johnston (Angel), Michael McElroy (Collins) and Stewart were all members of the final company of RENT, which played its last performance on Broadway September 7, 2008.
RENT, The Broadway Tour, is directed by Michael Greif, who received 1996 Tony and Drama Desk nominations as well as the Obie Award for RENT, and choreographed by Marlies Yearby who received a Tony Award nomination for her work on the musical. Tim Weil, the show's original music supervisor and conductor, serves as music supervisor.
Adam Pascal received Obie and Theatre World awards and Tony and Drama Desk nominations for best actor for RENT. On Broadway he also originated the role of Radames in the hit musical Aida and starred as the Emcee in the long-running revival of Cabaret. His film credits include RENT, School of Rock, SLC Punk!, Temptation and Goyband.
An actor since the age of six, Anthony Rapp has appeared on Broadway in Precious Sons (Outer Critics Circle Award), Six Degrees of Separation and the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. His films include Adventures in Babysitting, School Ties, Dazed and Confused, Six Degrees of Separation, David Searching, Man of the Century, Road Trip, A Beautiful Mind, Open House, Winter Passing, Danny Roane: First Time Director and Scaring the Fish. His book, Without You: a Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical RENT, about his experiences on and offstage, was published in 2006 by Simon & Schuster and became a national bestseller.
Gwen Stewart created several roles in RENT, including introducing the solo vocals for the show's central theme, "Seasons of Love." Ms. Stewart's other theatre credits include the recent Tony-nominated revival of Big River, Starmites, Suds, Ain't Misbehavin', The Wiz, Avenue X, Abyssinia. Her film and television work includes "Notes From the Underbelly," "Related," "Law & Order," "Charmed," "All My Children," "Moesha," "24," "Strong Medicine," "The Guardian," Down To Earth and Personals.
Nicolette Hart's Broadway credits include RENT, Legally Blonde and The Wedding Singer. TV/Film credits include "Law and Order," "Lipstick Jungle," "Veronika Decides To Die," "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits" and "Cherry Crush."
Justin Johnston played Angel Schunard in the final Broadway company of RENT and can be seen with the closing cast in "RENT Filmed Live on Broadway."
Michael McElroy played Tom Collins in the final Broadway company of RENT. Broadway credits include Wild Party, Big River (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), The Who's Tommy, Miss Saigon, Patti LuPone on Broadway and High Rollers. TV credits include "Love Monkey," "All My Children" and "Spin City."
Jacques C. Smith made his Broadway debut as Benny in RENT. TV credits include "CSI: Miami," "ER," HBO's "OZ," PBS's Emmy-winning "American Masters" series "Ralph Ellison: An American Journey," "The Division" and "Law and Order."
Haneefah Wood's Broadway credits include RENT, Avenue Q and Brooklyn. She originated roles in the workshops of Shrek and Good Vibrations. Film and television credits include "Freedomland," "Law and Order Criminal Intent," "Strong Medicine" and "Days of Our Lives."
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 played its final performance at the Nederlander Theatre on September 7, 2008 after playing 5,124 performances and 16 previews. RENT is the seventh longest running show in Broadway history and grossed over $280 million during its Broadway run.
Tours of RENT have crisscrossed the country almost continuously since late 1996 and the U.S. national tours have grossed over $330 million. 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. For complete tour schedule and information visit www.siteforrent.com.
During the 2009 Broadway Series, where theatrical presentations in Philadelphia are presented at the Academy of Music, productions will include: Jesus Christ Superstar (Jan. 30 – Feb. 1); RENT (Feb. 3 – 8); Happy Days – A New Musical (Mar. 24 – 29); Riverdance (Mar. 31 – Apr. 5); Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (April 7 – 12); Movin' Out (May 15 – 17); and Spring Awakening (June 23 – 28).
All performances of the Kimmel Center's Broadway Series are supported by CITI. Promotional support is provided by WPVI-TV 6, The Philadelphia Coca-Cola Bottling Company, The Philadelphia Inquirer and Philadelphia Daily News. American Airlines is the Official Airline of the Kimmel Center's Broadway Series.
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