Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s School of Theatre and Dance is continuing its 2023-2024 season with "Rent" running February 16 through 25 in E. Turner Stump Theatre, located in the Center for Performing Arts.
Set in the East Village of New York City in the early 1990s, "Rent" is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, "Rent" has become a pop cultural phenomenon, with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. Based loosely on Puccini's "La Boheme," Jonathan Larson's "Rent" follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York's Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.
The book, music and lyrics are by Johnathan Larson. Musical arrangements and stories are by Steve Skinner, music supervision and additional arrangements are by Tim Weil, original concept and additional lyrics are by Billy Aronson and dramaturg is by Lynn Thomson. Amy Fritsche is the director and co-choreographer with Jocelyn Trimmer, the assistant director is Adam Newborn and the music director is Jonathan Swoboda. The production team also includes Lauren Downey as the production stage manager and Victoria Mearini as the costume designer. Lighting design by Nick Eberts, sound design by Katie Rowland and technical direction by Adam Craft. Scenic design is by Gennie Neuman-Lambert and properties supervisor is Frankie Teuber. Karl Erdmann is the production manager and Tony Hardin is the director of the School of Theatre and Dance and producer.
"Rent" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
PERFORMANCES
All performances take place in E. Turner Stump Theatre, Center for the Performing Arts (1325 Theatre Drive, Kent, OH, 44242).
Friday, February 16, 2024
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 17, 2024
7:30 p.m.
Sunday, February 18, 2024
2:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
7:30 p.m.
Thursday, February 22, 2024
7:30 p.m.
Friday, February 23, 2024
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 24, 2024
7:30 pm.
Sunday, February 25, 2024
2:00 p.m.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets to "Rent" can be purchased through the Performing Arts Box Office by phone at 330-672-2787 or online at www.kent.edu/artscollege/box-office
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