Devananad Janki, who directed and choreographed the hit Off-Broadway musical Zanna, Don't!, assumes those same duties for the Hangar's production of the Jonathan Larson musical.

In a recent statement, Hangar Theatre artistic director Peter Flynn said, "Rent and its source material, the opera La Bohème, tell the timeless story of finding love and family in the most desperate of circumstances. We're thrilled to bring this important piece of American theatre to our community."

The cast features Anisha Nagarajan as Mimi, Eric Jordan Young as Tom Collins, Jonathan Burke as Angel, Jared Zirilli as Roger Davis, Catherine Stephani as Maureen Johnson, Adam Hose as Mark, Nik Walker as Benny and Maria-Christine Oliveras as Joanne.

The ensemble comprises Danielle Brooks, Jason St. Little, Jevon McFerrin, Kyra Lorraine Selman, Ryan Garcia, and several members of the Ithaca community including Melanie Beck, Helen T. Clark, Tyler Crosby, Asia Dillon, Annali Fuchs, Ty J. Hallett, Joshua Hatcher, Katie Lane, Stephanie Masline, Jon-Michael Miller, Housso Carol Andree Semon, and Elias Spector-Zabusky.

Music director Mark Fifer leads a band that includes guitarist Dillon Kondor, percussionist Greg Evans and bassist Daniel Timmons. Rent, with music and lyrics by the late Jonathan Larson, is the seventh longest-running show in Broadway history.

The musical, according to the Hangar, tells "the story of a community of young artists struggling to make their mark in New York's rapidly changing East Village of the 1990s. This life-affirming musical celebrates solidarity and love in the most desperate of circumstances."

Tickets may be purchased by calling the Ticket Center at (607) 273-4497 or by visiting www.hangartheatre.org.