RENT CAST ANNOUNCED!

PERFORMANCES BEGIN THURSDAY, JULY 14
OPENING SET FOR THURSDAY, AUGUST 11
AT NEW WORLD STAGES
The producers of Rent have announced the cast for the upcoming off-Broadway production that begins previews Thursday, July 14, and opens Thursday, August 11 at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street, Between Eighth and Ninth Avenues.

The cast of Rent is Annaleigh Ashford (Maureen Johnson), Margot Bingham (Alexi Darling, Roger’s Mom, and others), Adam Chanler-Berat (Mark Cohen), Nicholas Christopher (Tom Collins), Arianda Fernandez (Mimi Marquez), Marcus Paul James (Mr. Jefferson, Paul, and others), Tamika Sonja Lawrence (Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags), Corbin Reid (Joanne Jefferson), Michael Rodriguez (Angel Schunard), Matt Shingledecker (Roger Davis), Ephraim Sykes (Benjamin Coffin III), Ben Thompson (Christmas caroler, Mr. Grey, The Man, and others), Michael Wartella (Steve, Gordon, Waiter, and others), and Morgan Weed (Mark’s Mom and others). Also in the company is Sean Michael Murray, Xavier Cano, and Genny Padilla.

Rent, written by Jonathan Larson, will be directed by Michael Greif who directed the show’s original off-Broadway and Broadway productions. The creative team will include choreographer Larry Keigwin; music supervisor Tim Weil; set designer Mark Wendland; costume designer Angela Wendt; lighting designer Kevin Adams; sound designer Brian Ronan, projection designer by Peter Nigrini.

Rent will perform Mondays and Wednesday through Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 7:30pm, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm, at New World Stages, 340 West 50 Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. Preview prices $65- $85; prices after August 12 are $69.50 - $89.50. Tickets may be purchased by visiting siteforrent.com or telecharge.com; by phoning 212-947-8844; or by going to the New World Stages box office, 340 West 50 Street. For box office hours visit newworldstages.com/boxoffice.html.

For more information about Rent, visit www.siteforrent.com.

SPECIAL TICKET OFFER FOR RENT FANS

Extended! For all you RENTheads that couldn't take advantage of our special offer for tickets for the preview period of RENT at New World Stages, here is a special offer on tickets for performances now through October 2, 2011!

$79.50 for orchestra and front mezzanine seats
$62.50 for rear orchestra and rear mezzanine seats
THREE EASY WAYS TO PAY:

1. ONLINE: Simply click here or visit BroadwayOffers.com and enter code RNPITBULL5.

2. BY PHONE: Call 212-947-8844 and mention code RNPITBULL5.

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.

*Offer valid for performances through 10/2/11. Tickets must be purchased by 9/4/11. Not valid for 8/11/11 or Saturday evening performances. Additional blackout dates may apply. Regular prices $65-$89.50. All prices include a $1.50 facility fee. Normal service charges apply to phone and Internet orders. Limit of 10 tickets per order. Offer subject to availability and prior sale. All sales are final — no refunds or exchanges. Offer is subject to change and may be revoked or modified at any time.

ENTER THE BIGGEST RENTHEAD CONTEST BY MAY 19!

Calling all true RENTheads! Do you love RENT more than all others? Is your knowledge of RENT’s history, cast, and storyline superior to that of everyone you know? Have you memorized all the lyrics to “La Vie Boheme”? Now is the time to put that knowledge to good use!

We are looking for the Biggest RENThead out there to be our Official Blogger. The winner of the Biggest RENThead Contest will be given unprecedented access to the new production of RENT, including meeting and interviewing the cast, attending rehearsals, and much more! Our Biggest RENThead will then blog on www.siteforrent.com, sharing their insider knowledge and experiences with fans all over the world. Click here for details on how to enter!

Contest entries must be received no later than 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time on May 19, 2011.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE "MAKE RENT YOURS" VIDEO CONTEST WINNER!

Congratulations to Alex F, winner of the "MAKE RENT YOURS" video contest! Alex's video will be featured on RENT's official website: www.siteforrent.com. Click on the video player to watch the winning entry!



Thanks to all who participated in “MAKE RENT YOURS” – visit www.youtube.com/everythingisrent for more of YOUR videos!

RENT BOX OFFICE OPENS FRIDAY, MAY 6

The box office for the off-Broadway revival of the landmark musical RENT will open Friday, May 6, at 1 PM at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. The first 100 people in line at the box office will receive an exclusive RENT gift pack.

RENT, written by Jonathan Larson, will be directed by Michael Greif who directed the show's original off-Broadway and Broadway productions. The creative team will include choreographer Larry Keigwin; music supervisor Tim Weil; set designer Mark Wendland; costume designer Angela Wendt; lighting designer Kevin Adams; and sound designer Brian Ronan; projection designer Peter Nigrini. Previews begin Thursday, July 14 for a Thursday, August 11 opening. Casting is currently underway for the production and will be announced in early June.

RENT will play Monday, Wednesday through Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 7:30pm, with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm, at New World Stages, 340 West 50 Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. Tickets for preview performances are $65 - $85; prices for post opening performances are $69.50 - $89.50. Tickets may be purchased by visiting siteforrent.com or telecharge.com; by phoning 212-947-8844; or by going to the New World Stages box office, 340 West 50 Street. For box office hours visit newworldstages.com/boxoffice.html. For more information about RENT, visit siteforrent.com.

2011 RENT ONLINE AUDITION WINNER AUDITIONS FOR TELSEY + CO!

Congratulations once again to RENT's 2011 online audition contest winner, Jessie Hooker, from Pennsylvania! Jessie's rendition of "Take Me or Leave Me" received 12,945 votes! Earlier this week, Jessie flew to New York City, officially auditioned with Telsey + Co, and stayed at The Paramount Hotel.

Throughout its eight decades in existence, the Paramount Hotel has gained notoriety for infamous celebrity guests, fabulous designers and eccentric owners. Built in 1928, famed theater architect Thomas W. Lamb designed the Paramount Hotel, employing dramatic French Renaissance details to reflect the bustling energy of Broadway.

The Paramount Hotel is located at 235 West 46th street. For more information, please call (212) 764-5500 or visit www.nycparamount.com.




Click here to watch Jessie's online audition on YouTube!

“MAKE RENT YOURS” VIDEO CONTEST

Calling all aspiring filmmakers, animators, and artists! Over 15,000 people have seen the “RENT RETURNS” announcement video on YouTube. Now it’s YOUR turn to create a teaser video of your own for RENT! The winning video entry will be posted on the NEW full website for http://www.siteforrent.com/ launching in late April!

HOW TO ENTER:

• Create a 30-second video featuring RENT’s iconic logo and music from the show. Get creative, be original, and truly make RENT yours.
• NOTE: You must incorporate the 2011 RENT logo in your video, which is available for download by clicking here.
• Then, upload your video to http://www.youtube.com/ and submit the URL to our posting page starting Monday, April 4, 2011 and no later than the deadline of 11:59 PM Eastern on Sunday, April 10, 2011.
• Be sure to name your YouTube video: MAKE RENT YOURS
• Remember – your video must be 30 seconds or less – no exceptions allowed!

As long as your video satisfies our contest requirements, your video will be featured in a playlist on RENT’s official YouTube Channel along with all other qualified video entries.

Click here to read the official rules and regulations.