Rent's 10th anniversary will be celebrated by members of the original Broadway cast on April 24th, 2006, when they take part in a benefit performance for the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation,
Friends In Deed and New York Theatre Workshop (where Rent was developed).The landmark show began previews at the Nederlander Theatre on April 16th, 1996 before opening on April 29th. With its groundbreaking rock score (and book) by Jonathan Larson and a story that captured the current of its generation, Rentis
set in late-90's New York in the East Village, where a group of artists
love and live La Vie Boheme even under the shadow of poverty, failure,
illness and death. Directed by Michael Greif and choreographed by Marlies Yearby, the show originally starred Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin Vega, Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp, Taye Diggs, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Jesse L. Martin and Fredi Walker. With the exceptions of Rubin Vega and Walker, all will be on hand to recreate their roles in the upcoming Chris Columbus-directed film version, which will be released by Columbia Pictures/Revolution Studios on November 11th.The La Boheme-based
show won the Pultizer Prize and the 1996 Tony Award for
Best Musical, as well as 3 others. Tragically, Larson died a few months
before the show opened. It has since run over 3,850 performances and is the 8th longest-running musical in Broadway history.
According to its website, the Jonathan Larson Performing Arts Foundation "was created by Larson's family and friends to ensure his continued
influence in shaping the future of the American theatre. The goal
of the Foundation is to provide encouragement and financial assistance
to composers, lyricists and bookwriters as well as nonprofit producing
companies with a commitment to supporting the work of new musical
Theatre Projects and musical theatre artists. Each year award recipients
are selected from over 150 applications."For more information, visit www.jlpaf.org, www.friendsindeed.org and www.nytw.org.
