Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Gwen Stewart will reprise the roles they originated on Broadway in “Rent: The Broadway Tour” when it visits The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. The show comes to the Marcus Center for a week long engagement running from Nov. 24-29 in conjunction with the Time Warner Cable Broadway at the Marcus Center Series.
Joining Pascal, Rapp and Stewart, are Nicolette Hart (Maureen Johnson), Justin Johnston (Angel Schunard), Lexi Lawson (Mimi Marquez), Michael McElroy (Tom Collins), Jacques C. Smith (Benjamin Coffi n III), and Haneefah Wood (Joanne Jefferson). The ensemble is rounded out by Toby Blackwell, Shaun Earl, Adam Halpin, Trisha Jeffrey, Joshua Kobak, MiRi Park, Andy Señor, Caren Tackett, Shelley Thomas, Brandon Uranowitz and John Watson.
Pascal, Rapp and Stewart originated the roles of Roger Davis, Mark Cohen and “Seasons of Love” soloist, respectively, at the New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway. Justin Johnston, Michael McElroy and Gwen Stewart were all members of the final company of “RENT”, which played its last performance on Broadway on Sept. 7, 2008. “Rent: The Broadway Tour” is directed by Michael Greif, who received 1996 Tony and Drama Desk nominations as well as the Obie Award for “RENT”. Marlies Yearby, who received a Tony Award nomination for her work on the musical, choreographs the show and Tim Weil, the show’s original music supervisor and conductor, serves as music supervisor. Pascal received Obie and Theatre World awards and Tony and Drama Desk nominations for best actor for “RENT”.
On Broadway, he also originated the role of Radames in the hit musical “Aida” and starred as the Emcee in the long-running revival of “Cabaret.” His film credits include Rent, School of Rock, SLC Punk!, Temptation, and Goyband.
An actor since the age of six, Rapp has appeared on Broadway in “Precious Sons” (Outer Critics Circle Award), “Six Degrees of Separation,” and the revival of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” His films include Adventures in Babysitting, School Ties, Dazed and Confused , Six Degrees of Separation, David Searching, Man of the Century, Road Trip, A Beautiful Mind, Open House, Winter Passing, Danny Roane: First Time Director, and Scaring the Fish. His book, “Without You: a Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent”, about his experiences on and offstage, was published in 2006 by Simon & Schuster and became a national bestseller.
The Milwaukee Courier interviewed Jacques C. Smith (Benjamin Coffin III), recently on his role in the culturally diverse musical. Smith, a graduate of Princeton was part of the original Broadway cast. He left the cast, while Taye Diggs played the role, and then he returned after Diggs, and now, Milwaukee will have the opportunity to see the show with the most original Broadway actors who have been with the show for years off and on.
Smith, who is originally from outside Chicago, Illinois says that he is excited about coming to Milwaukee. This will also give him the opportunity to visit his family and friends in Illinois on Thanksgiving, since the cast is off on that day.
Smith, an African American actor said that the cast is extremely diverse, and says that he hopes that all sectors of Milwaukee turn out to see the show.
Set in NYC’s East Village, “RENT” is a modern take on the classic Puccini opera, La Boheme. It tells the story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and living for today. Over the course of its groundbreaking 12-year New York run, “RENT” transformed the definition of musical theater.
For more information about “RENT”, please visit www.siteforrent.com.
RENT will play Tues., Nov. 24 through Sun., Nov. 29. Performances are Tues. and Wed. evening at 7:30 pm, Fri. 2 and 8 pm, Sat. at 2 and 8 pm, and Sun. at 1 and 6:30 pm. Prices start at $25 and vary depending on performance, seat location and date of purchase.
Tickets go on sale Fri., Oct. 16 at Noon at the Marcus Center Box Office, 929 North Water Street, Downtown Milwaukee, by calling the box office at (414) 273-7206, at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at Ticketmaster.com or call (800) 982-2787. Group orders (10 or more) may be placed by calling (414) 273-7121 ext. 210. The Milwaukee engagement of RENT is presented by Broadway Across America – Milwaukee and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts as part of Time Warner Cable Broadway at the Marcus Center.
RENT is presented by Broadway Across America – Milwaukee and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts as part of Time Warner Cable Broadway at the Marcus Center.
