RENT Manila Announces Complete Cast; Opens 2/5/10

Over 300 "Rentheads" showed up when 9 Works Theatrical, Manila's newly organized professional theatre group, held open auditions for its second major production - Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking, and multi-awarded rock musical RENT. This new project, together with Lunchbox Theatrical's much awaited touring production of CATS and Atlantis' upcoming productions of LEGALLY BLONDE and XANADU, is set to make Manila's theatrescape truly bustling, and exciting in 2010.

RENT Manila's director Robbie Guevara, who is currently playing the Beadle in Repertory Philippines' new hit production of Stephen Sondheim's SWEENEY TODD, and his publicist Toots Tolentino have just sent BroadwayWorld.com Philippines a hot list of its complete cast, composed of a mix of local theater veterans and newbies.

RENT in Manila, opening on February 5, 2010 will feature:

Roger - Gian Magdangal (Footloose, West Side Story)

Mark - Fred Lo (N.O.A.H.)

Mimi - Nicole Asensio / Cara Barredo (Mulan Jr., The Fantasticks)

Angel - Job Bautista

Collins - OJ Mariano

Maureen - Carla Guevara-Laforteza (Miss Saigon, Spelling Bee, Avenue Q)

Joanne - Jenny Villegas

Benny - Noel Rayos (Company, Hairspray)

The ensemble will include Raul Montesa (Man of La Mancha, Sweeney Todd), Guji Lorenzana (West Side Story), Gary Junsay (Sweeney Todd), Johann de la Fuente (Footloose, Spelling Bee), Anna Santamaria, Ring Antonio (Once On This Island, Sweeney Todd), Peachy Atilano, and swing Harold Cruz.

Based on Giacomo Puccini's LA BOHEME, RENT, written by Larson (tick, tick...BOOM!), is the story of Bohemian New Yorkers Mark, Roger, Maureen, Tom Collins, Angel, Mimi, Joanne, and their friends -- all struggling to survive during the rise of a mysterious, deadly disease - AIDS, and the ever prevalent economic crisis in the late '90s.

Featuring the mainstream popular hit "Seasons of Love," RENT remains socially relevant, youthful, and moving. RENT lives on, along with the affirmation that there is "no day but today."

RENT premiered on Broadway in 1996. On that same year, RENT won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama; Tony Awards (Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book - Jonathan Larson and Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Wilson Jermaine Heredia ); New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical; Drama Desk Awards (Best Musical, Best Music, Best Lyrics, and Best Book - Jonathan Larson; Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Wilson Jermaine Heredia and Best Arrangements - Steve Skinner ); Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical; Drama League Award for Best Musical; Theatre World Awards ( Outstanding New Talent - Adam Pascal and Daphne Rubin-Vega ); Obie Awards (Outstanding Book, Music, and Lyrics - Jonathan Larson; Outstanding Direction - Michael Greif, and Outstanding Ensemble Performance ).

It has been translated into 15 languages in 25 countries, luring audiences from all over the world, including a very strong fan base in the Philippines.

Columbia Pictures released an American film adaptation of the Broadway musical in 2005.

RENT Manila is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI), 421 West 54th Street, New York, New York 10019.

Tickets are now available at TicketWorld with telephone number (632) 891-9999 and web site at www.ticketworld.com.ph