EXCLUSIVE HOLIDAY PRE-SALE: $40* TICKETS TO RENT AND AVENUE Q

Before the general public hears about it, you – our most loyal fans of RENT – have an EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALE to the best deal ever: $40* tickets to the best musicals in NYC: RENT and AVENUE Q! Now is the time to get great gifts and stocking stuffers for all your family and friends at an affordable price, or treat yourself to another visit to your favorite shows!

THREE EASY WAYS TO PAY:

1. ONLINE: For tickets to RENT, click here or visit BroadwayOffers.com and enter code RNHDFAN1. For tickets to AVENUE Q, click here or visit BroadwayOffers.com and enter code AQFANHD1.

2. BY PHONE: Call 212-947-8844 and mention code RNHDFAN1 for tickets to RENT or code AQFANHD1 for tickets to AVENUE Q.

3. IN PERSON: Bring a print-out of this e-mail to the New World Stages Box Office, 340 W. 50th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues, in New York City. Click here for box office hours.

*Terms & conditions: Offer valid for select performances from January 2, 2012 to March 18, 2012. Offer not valid for Saturday evening performances, January 14-15, 2012, and February 18-19, 2012. Other blackout dates may apply. Regular prices $69.50 - $89.50. All prices include a $1.50 facility fee. Schedule and cast subject to change. Offer subject to availability. Normal service charges apply to online and phone orders. No exchanges or refunds. All sales are final. Cannot be combined with other offers. Not valid for prior purchases. Limit of 10 tickets per order. Offer expires December 31, 2011 but may be revoked at any time.

RENT HOLIDAY SCHEDULE CHANGE: WEEK OF NOVEMBER 21

The company of RENT.  Photo by Joan Marcus.

Happy Thanksgiving, RENT fans!  Please note the following changes for the week of November 21, 2011:

• Monday, November 21 at 8 PM
• Added performance Tuesday, November 22 at 8 PM
• Added performance Wednesday, November 23 at 2 PM
• Wednesday, November 23 at 8 PM
• No performance Thursday, November 24 at 8 PM
• Added performance Friday, November 25 at 2 PM
• Friday, November 25 at 8 PM
• Saturday, November 26 at 2 PM and 8 PM
• No performances Sunday, November 27 at 2 PM and 7:30 PM

Click here to buy tickets online.  For the complete 2011 holiday schedule, visit www.siteforrent.com.

REGIS, THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE

On November 18, 2011, the Off-Broadway cast of RENT paid a special, surprise tribute to Regis Philbin on his final show as co-host of "Live! with Regis and Kelly."

The cast of RENT in rehearsal

The cast of RENT in rehearsal

The cast of RENT in rehearsal

Annaleigh Ashford (Maureen) and Corbin Reid (Joanne) get ready backstage

The cast celebrates Regis Philbin's final show

RENT is playing at New World Stages (340 W. 50th Street) in New York City. Visit www.siteforrent.com for more information.

FROM OUR OFFICIAL RENT BLOGGER: WHY DO YOU LOVE RENT?

During the summer of 2010, I was lucky enough to be cast as Roger in a production of RENT. Unbeknownst to me, I was about to embark on a journey that would solidify my love for RENT, and its ability to create beautiful friendships and relationships with its amazing message. It turned out to be one of the best summers of my life.

I've always liked RENT, but that magical summer was what did me in. The power of being in the show itself is like nothing I've ever experienced. I developed some amazing friendships with the cast and crew, and even met my current girlfriend – a fellow cast member. I cried like a baby when we closed. Before that I had NEVER cried closing a show, nor have I done since.

Since then, I've been trying to recapture the electricity I experienced during that production. ("How could a night so frozen be so scalding hot?") I recently suggested we throw a fundraiser where we would perform a concert version of the show. Our cast would reunite for a few nights to raise money for our community theater.

After sharing my ideas with the cast, a former member told me that she thought I was obsessing over RENT. She called me crazy for loving RENT as much as I did, and for trying to relive the magic of the original production we had created together.

At first I felt embarrassed. Maybe I was taking this RENT thing a bit too far. It's JUST a show, right?

In thinking some more, I've realized no, it's not just a show. RENT is a medium. It's a medium through which connections, relationships, and memories can be made. I love it more than just its story or its songs – I love RENT for its overarching message of love, friendship and acceptance, and for its ability to evoke such strong emotions, in both its performers and audience members alike.

For me, it's like a photo album that rekindles old feelings. Some of my fondest memories are associated with RENT, and the life-changing experience I had performing it.

Everyone is passionate about the good memories in their life. I'm curious to hear about the memories you associate with RENT. Why do you think you love this show? Is it greater than the sum of its parts? Sound off in the comments section.

Oh, and in case you wanted to know what I looked like as Roger, here are a few pictures…

THE 2011 RENT HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EXTRAVAGANZA SPECTACULAR!

On Monday, December 5th, the cast of the current Off-Broadway production of RENT will present their “2011 RENT HOLIDAY CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EXTRAVAGANZA SPECTACULAR.” A benefit for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, the event will take place at New World Stages at 11 PM. The cast invites you to “come enjoy an evening of holly jolly follies and magical musical mayhem, as the cast presents a classic holiday pageant!” Members of the cast will perform seasonal favorites such as “White Christmas” and “The Dreydl Song”, as well as comedy sketches and scenes from classic holiday movies. All proceeds will go directly to BC/EFA.

Advance tickets are $15.00, with tickets available at the door for $20.00. A special VIP ticket package is available for $50.00, which includes reserved seating, drink service at your table and a RENT Playbill signed by the entire company. To reserve tickets in advance, email RSVP@newworldstages.com. Visit www.siteforrent.com for more information.

The current cast of RENT includes Annaleigh Ashford, Margot Bingham, Adam Chanler-Berat, Nicholas Christopher, Arianda Fernandez, Marcus Paul James, Tamika Sonja Lawrence, Corbin Reid, MJ Rodriguez, Matt Shingledecker, Ephraim Sykes, Ben Thompson, Michael Wartella, Morgan Weed, Sean Michael Murray, Xavier Cano, and Genny Lis Padilla.

ACTUAL REALITY - ACT UP - FIGHT AIDS

The Company of RENT. Photo by Joan Marcus.

DONATE TO BROADWAY CARES
The Off-Broadway company of RENT is currently raising money for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. For those fans who are attending RENT at New World Stages through December 4, 2011, autographed Playbills and posters are available with a donation to Broadway Cares.

If you cannot attend in person, please consider an online donation through RENT’s fundraising page on broadwaycares.org. What we do together truly makes a difference!

GO TELL IT ON THE MOUNTAIN
Carols for a Cure 13 is now available for purchase and features the cast and band of RENT performing “Go Tell It on the Mountain.”

Click here to purchase the 2-CD set of Carols for a Cure today.