BWW Previews: Acting Against Cancer Heads West to New Tim Faulkner Gallery For RENT

A company, play and venue dedicated to the enlivening power of art will come together when Acting Against Cancer presents the classic modern rock musical "RENT" at the newly opened Tim Faulkner Gallery in the Portland neighborhood.

The rock opera, based on the opera "La Boheme" by Giacomo Puccini, features a cadre of young artists celebrating life, love and the bohemian aesthetic while struggling with loss and regret in the shadow of AIDS ravaging their community.

Both the show and the Faulkner Gallery were a perfect fit for AAC's mission at this moment in its existence, according to AAC president Remy Sisk, who plays musican Roger Davis in the musical.

With the core members of the company entering their adult years, the former Kids Acting Against Cancer dropped "Kids" from its name and set its trajectory toward more adult-oriented material. The company's production of the folk-rock epic "Spring Awakening" in January was its second highest-grossing production ever. "RENT" seemed like the next logical step, and though the company has long made its home in the Kentucky Center's Martin Experimental Theater, they decided to look for a new space.

"We love The MeX Theatre, but for this show, we had to find an alternate venue," Sisk said. "We were considering several shows when we first looked at the space, but seeing it - graffiti walls, warehouse aesthetic - we knew 'RENT' and the gallery were a match made in heaven. We booked the space before the stage was even built, so we certainly took a risk. However, we are confident the bohemian essence of the space will pay off."

The Faulkner Gallery is one of the first businesses to make the bold move of relocating to Portland, part of a plan by local entrepreneur Gill Holland to revitalize and reinvent the long-suffering neighborhood.

"RENT" also resonates on a larger scale than simply performance art for AAC. The company began producing shows as an effort to raise money to support cancer research. All the proceeds from "RENT" will go to improving the quality of life of oncology patients at Kosair Children's Hospital.

"RENT" contains mild profanity and adult themes and situations. Tickets are $18 general admission and $12 for onstage seating. Tickets, showtimes and more information are available atwww.showclix.com/event/RENTinLouisville. The Time Faulkner Gallery is located at 1512 Portland Ave.