Justin Guarini, Paul Iacono to Star in RENT at Surflight Theatre, 5/28-6/19
By: Nicole Rosky
Direct from Broadway's American Idiot, American Idol's Justin Guarini and MTV's Paul Iacono (star of the hit series "The Hard Times of RJ Berger") will star in Jonathan Larson's landmark rock musical RENT at Surflight Theatre in Beach Haven, NJ, from May 28 through June 19. Guarini will play Roger and Iacono will star as Mark. Opening Night is scheduled for Saturday, May 28 at 8:00pm. Celebrating its 62nd Season of Broadway by the Beach, Surflight Theatre, a Jersey Shore entertainment destination for over 60 years, is now under the leadership of Producer and Surflight alum Roy Miller.
Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the pop culture phenomenon RENT forever changed the Broadway musical. The Surflight premiere is directed and choreographed by Jen Bender (resident director of Disney's The Lion King), with music direction by Jeremy Randall (RENT National Tour). Set in NYC's East Village RENT is a modern take on the classic Puccini opera, La Boheme. It tells the unforgettable story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and living for today. Justin Guarini made his Broadway debut this season in Lincoln Center Theatre's Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown as Carlos and recently joined the cast of American Idiot in the role of Will. Other theatre credits include: Once on This Island (Daniel), The Little Prince (Prince). Solo albums: Justin Guarini (RCA Records), Stranger Things Have Happened. Film: Fast Girl (Darryl), From Justin to Kelly (Justin). TV: "American Idol" season one runner-up (Fox), "Run of the House" (Fox), "Film Fakers" (AMC), "Gone Country" (CMT season three), TV Guide Network host/correspondent, "Live With Regis & Kelly" (guest host, ABC). Other: Disney World's The American Idol Experience, virtual host.Paul Iacono currently stars in MTV's hit series The Hard Times of RJ Berger, now in it second season. A native of New Jersey, Iacono was featured in the 2009 remake of FAME. His Off-Broadway credits include Signature Theatre's Landscape of the Body and The Transport Group's The Dark at the Top of the Stairs. Paul has also appeared in numerous Paper Mill Playhouse productions including Mame, opposite Christine Ebersole. A budding playwright, Iacono recently had staged reading of his play Prince/Elizabeth with a cast that featured Peter Vack (MTV's "I Just Want My Pants Back"), Sofia Black D'Elia (MTV's "Skins"), Ricky Ashley (13 the Musical), Spencer Oberman ("Sesame Street Live"), Alex Andrejko ("Jeffery and Cole Casserole"), Tom Wolfson ("A Matter of Choice"), Leon Wooley (Disney's "The Princess and The Frog") and downtown legend, Earl Dax. Director/Choreographer Jen Bender's Broadway credits include: Resident Director of Disney's The Lion King; Avenue Q; The Wedding Singer, and Steel Magnolias (Assistant Director). Regional: Avenue Q at the Wynn Las Vegas, Kander and Ebb's The Visit (Goodman Theatre). National tour: Wonderful Town. Other: City Center Encores!, Roundabout, Birdland, Carnegie Hall. Jen is a founder of the New York Musical Theatre Festival.Surflight Theatre is located at 201 Engleside Avenue in historic Beach Haven, New Jersey. RENT will be presenTed May 28 through June 19 with performances Tuesday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm; Wednesday at 2:00pm; Thursday at 2:00pm and 8:00pm; Friday at 8:00pm; Saturday at 8:00pm, and Sunday at 2:00pm. Please note that Memorial Day Weekend performances are Saturday, May 28 at 2pm and 8pm and Sunday May 29 at 2pm and 8pm. Tickets are $31- $49. Subscriptions are still available. Tickets are available online at www.surflight.org. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Surflight box office, by phone at 609-492-9477. For groups (15 or more) call: 609-492-9477 x203.