BWW TV:'Rent: Filmed Live On Broadway' Star Justin Johnston's 'Musings of an Angel'

The final curtain fell on Broadway for the landmark musical Rent on September 7th, 2008. But the power of the show lives on with 'Rent:Filmed Live On Broadway'. The Hot Ticket, a part of Sony Pictures, is releasing Rent to select movie theaters for four shows only on September 24th & 25th and 27th & 28th. - the film is a dynamic way to bring the show to audiences across the country one last time. BWW TV spoke with the multi-talented Justin Johnston, who portrays 'Angel' in the film, a role he essayed on Broadway for over 7 years right up to the musical's final performance.

The Hot Ticket takes audiences to the heart of New York City to celebrate the conclusion of the 12-year Broadway run of Rent, the revolutionary, landmark musical. This memorable presentation will feature special closing night extras, with original cast members of the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical joining in to celebrate in the farewell festivities. The presentation is produced by the Academy Award(R)-winning producers @radical.media.

The final cast of Rent included Tracie Thoms who starred as Joanne in the movie of Rent and came to the Broadway company in the same role as well as Will Chase as Roger, Renee Elise Goldsberry as Mimi, Eden Espinosa as Maureen, Michael McElroy as Collins, Adam Kantor as Mark, Justin Johnston as Angel, Rodney Hicks as Benny with Shaun Earl, Andrea Goss, Marcus Paul James, Telly Leung, Tracy McDowell, Jay Wilkison, and Gwen Stewart ("Seasons of Love" soloist). Rodney Hicks and Gwen Stewart were both in the original company of Rent and rejoined the final cast to close the show.

Hailing from Gary, Indiana Justin Johnston grew up wanting to be the next big thing to come out of Gary since Michael Jackson. After his second birthday Justin received the album Thriller from his dad and began dancing and singing just about every single day up to the present. At age 9 he started playing drums and piano and guitar soon followed. After discovering the art of songwriting in school Justin began writing and playing in talent shows and many short lived bands. After high school and a brief stint in college Justin landed a role in the musical Rent and toured North America for 10 months. Shortly after, he moved to New York and returned to Rent in the Broadway Company where he played the role of 'Angel' until the show's final performance on September 7th, 2008. In early 2003 Justin found himself writing music and singing for several recording artists and soon recorded an independent EP recording entitled 'Wait 4 Me'. However, he soon discovered that this 5 song EP was steadily becoming a hit in Germany, the Netherlands, Australia and the underground bootleg circuit

Rent opened off-Broadway in January 1996 before moving to Broadway's Nederlander Theatre in April of the same year. The musical tells a story of a group of destitute artists and musicians struggling to survive and be heard in New York's Lower East Side. RENT was one of the first Broadway musicals to feature an ethnically diverse cast, including homosexual and bisexual characters.

Rent, written by Jonathan Larson and directed byMichael Greif, opened at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre, on April 29, 1996 following a history making, sold out, extended limited engagement at off-Broadway's New York Theatre Workshop. The musical went on to win every major best musical award, including the Tony Award, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for drama. Rent is the seventh longest running show in Broadway history.

For more information on tickets for the film, please visit http://www.thehotticket.net/rent/