Students from New York and New Jersey area schools will experience the "Seasons of Love" at Broadway's Rent Oct. 28 with a special matinee and educational program.

The day starts at 10:20 AM when members of the New York City Opera will discuss Rent's source material and La Boheme, the opera from which Rent takes some of its plotting -- and wryly references in a guitar riff. The group will perform an aria from the opera. Following that, a student from each of the schools will perform a monologue, poem or song written for the occasion. The students will also be taught how to sing "Seasons of Love" in four-part harmony.

A question and answer period with the cast is next, then lunch. The afternoon will finish with a performance of the show.

Participating schools include New York City's Columbia Prep, Brooklyn's New Utrecht High School, Hicksville High School, Flushing's Francis Lewis High School, Valley Stream's Central High School, Poughkeepsie's Marist College, Mahopac High School, Verona High School and Ronkonkoma's Sachem High School North.

Rent currently features Manley Pope (Roger), Jim Poulous (Mark), Maya Days (Mimi), Rufus Bonds, Jr. (Tom Collins), Cristiana Fasdale (Maureen), Danielle Lee Graves (Joanne) and original cast member and Tony Award winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia. Tickets are $80-$35 and available by calling the Ticketmaster (212) 307-4100. -- By Christine Ehren