Original Tony-nominated director Michael Greif returns to Rent with a cast that includes Adam Chanler-Berat (Next to Normal, Peter and the Starcatcher) as documentary filmmaker Mark Cohen; Annaleigh Ashford (Wicked) as Maureen Johnson; Margot Bingham as Alexi Darling, Roger's Mom, and others; Nicholas Christopher as Tom Collins; Arianda Fernandez as Mimi Marquez; Marcus Paul James as Mr. Jefferson, Paul, and others; Tamika Sonja Lawrence as Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags; Corbin Reid as Joanne Jefferson; Michael Rodriguez as Angel Schunard; Matt Shingledecker as Roger Davis; Ephraim Sykes as Benjamin Coffin III; Ben Thompson as Christmas caroler, Mr. Grey, The Man, and others; Michael Wartella as Steve, Gordon, Waiter, and others; and Morgan Weed as Mark's Mom and others. Also in the company are Sean Michael Murray, Xavier Cano and Genny Padilla.
The newly conceived production features new costumes, choreography, projection design and a new set. "Over the years that I've watched the show, there were things I wanted to change," Greif told Playbill magazine this summer in regards to the revival. "When we did it internationally or for tours, I made changes. This seemed like a chance for an overhaul."
Here, in the preview to the new production, set to officially open Aug. 11, Chanler-Berat and Shingledecker sing the title song, and the cast also performs "La Vie Boheme" and "Seasons of Love."
To check out the preview to Rent, look below: