PHOTO RECALL: Original Broadway Cast of Rent

By Ernio Hernandez
07 Sep 2008

Playbill.com offers a look back at the original Broadway cast of Rent in honor of the musical's closing performance on Sept. 7.

The Jonathan Larson musical, which was directed by Michael Greif, began performances April 16, 1996, and officially opened April 29 at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre.

The original cast included Taye Diggs, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Jesse L. Martin, Idina Menzel, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Fredi Walker with Gilles Chiasson, Rodney Hicks, Kristen Lee Kelly, Aiko Nakasone, Timothy Britten Parker, Gwen Stewart and Byron Utley.

Here is a look at the stars as the footlights first brightened:



Taye Diggs, Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Anthony Rapp, Jesse L. Martin and Wilson Jermaine Heredia


Anthony Rapp Adam Pascal and Daphne Rubin-Vega


Jesse L. Martin, Anthony Rapp and Taye Diggs


Fredi Walker, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Idina Menzel and Jesse L. Martin


Rodney Hicks, Byron Utley, Kristen Lee Kelly, Gwen Stewart and Timothy Britten Parker


Idina Menzel and Fredi Walker Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Jesse L. Martin


Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal


The original cast of Rent.


All photos by Joan Marcus.