The West Coast premiere of the musical theatre phenomenon Rent, which opens July 1 at La Jolla Playhouse in La Jolla, CA, has extended its run for two weeks, due to extraordinary ticket demand and record-breaking sales.

Ticket availability for the production's originally scheduled, 70-performance run is standing room only. La Jolla's Rent now runs through September 14. There is no possiblity of the show extending beyond that date.

La Jolla Artistic Director Michael Greif will repeat his Obie-winning direction of Jonathan Larson's alternative-rock retelling of the La Boheme story.

Casting for the La Jolla production has not yet been announced. Auditions were held in L.A., San Diego and New York.

"People flew all over the country for these auditions," La Jolla associate spokesperson, Mary Lee Warning said. Greif's entire New York design team -- set designer Paul Clay, costumer Angela Wendt, lighting designer Blake Burba and sound designer Kurt Fischer -- will recreate their work at La Jolla.

The production is being billed as the centerpiece of the theatre's 50th anniversary season.

Tickets to the La Jolla Rent can be purchased through the box office, at (619) 550-1010. For the rest of the season, which includes the world premiere of Barry Manilow's musical, Harmony, refer to the La Jolla Playhouse regional listing on Playbill On-Line.