The Aug. 20 and Sept. 7 performances of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical were filmed. A composite of the best performances from those two evenings — including the Sept. 7 finale that featured many of the show's original stars — will be broadcast in movie theatres nationwide.
Audiences around the country will have the chance to view the Broadway production of Rent Sept. 24 and 25 (evening screenings) and Sept. 27 and 28 (afternoon screenings).
Hundreds of theatres across the country will offer the Rent screenings. In Manhattan, fans of the rock-scored musical will be able to view the cinecast at the AMC Loews 84th Street, Clearview Chelsea Cinemas on West 23rd Street, Regal E-Walk Stadium 13 on West 42nd Street, and the Regal Union Square Stadium 14 at 850 Broadway.
The filming is part of a new business venture launched by Sony Pictures Releasing, which is entitled The Hot Ticket. The Hot Ticket, according to a press release, will "distribute event programming, including popular music concerts, the performing arts, and sporting events in high definition digital projection to select movie theaters nationwide."
The final cast of Rent included Tracie Thoms (who was the movie's Joanne) as Joanne, Will Chase as Roger, Renèe Elise Goldsberry as Mimi, Eden Espinosa as Maureen, Michael McElroy as Collins, Adam Kantor as Mark, Justin Johnston as Angel and (original ensemble member) Rodney Hicks as Benny with Shaun Earl, Andrea Goss, Marcus Paul James, Telly Leung, Tracy McDowell, Jay Wilkison, (original ensemble member) Gwen Stewart and Destan Owens. Rent, which has book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, is the seventh longest-running show in Broadway history.
Rent, directed by Michael Greif, opened on Broadway April 29, 1996, following a 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, New York Drama Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award.
Rent is one of only seven musicals to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama.
For theatre and ticket information visit www.thehotticket.net.
*
As previously announced, a new tour of Rent — starring original cast members Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal — will kick off in January 2009. For more information about the tour click here.
