Pascal & Rapp Led RENT Tour Hits Detroit Opera House 2/17

Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp and Gwen Stewart reprise the roles they originated on Broadway in Rent, The Broadway Tour, coming to Detroit for a limited one-week engagement with performances at the Detroit Opera House February 17-22, 2009. Tickets are available for purchase at the Fisher Theatre box office, the Detroit Opera House box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at1-800-745-3000, and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.broadwayindetroit.com.

Joining Pascal and Rapp who reprise their award-winning roles, and Stewart, are Nicolette Hart (Maureen Johnson), Justin Johnston (Angel Schunard), Lexi Lawson (Mimi Marquez), Michael McElroy (Tom Collins), Jacques C. Smith (Benjamin Coffin III), and Haneefah Wood (Joanne Jefferson). The ensemble is rounded out by Karmine Alers, Toby Blackwell, Adam Halpin, Trisha Jeffrey, Telly Leung, Caren Lyn Manuel, Cary Shields, Jed Resnick, Andy Senor, Yuka Takara, and John Watson.

Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, and Gwen Stewart originated the roles of Roger Davis, Mark Cohen, and "Seasons of Love" soloist, respectively, at New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway. Justin Johnston (Angel), Michael McElroy (Collins), and Stewart were all members of the final company of Rent,which played its last performance on Broadway September 7, 2008.

Rent, The Broadway Tour, is directed by Michael Greif, who received 1996 Tony and Drama Desk nominations as well as the Obie Award for Rent, and choreographed by Marlies Yearby who received a Tony Award nomination for her work on the musical. Tim Weil, the show's original music supervisor and conductor, serves as music supervisor.

Adam Pascal received Obie and Theatre World awards and Tony and Drama Desk nominations for best actor for Rent. On Broadway he also originated the role of Radames in the hit musical Aida and starred as the Emcee in the long-running revival of Cabaret. His film credits include Rent, School of Rock, SLC Punk!, Temptation, and Goyband.

An actor since the age of six, Anthony Rapp has appeared on Broadway in Precious Sons (Outer Critics Circle Award), Six Degrees of Separation, and the revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. His films include Adventures in Babysitting, School Ties, Dazed and Confused, Six Degrees of Separation, David Searching, Man of the Century,Road Trip, A Beautiful Mind, Open House, Winter Passing, Danny Roane: First Time Director, and Scaring the Fish. His book, Without You: a Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent, about his experiences on and offstage, was published in 2006 by Simon & Schuster and became a national bestseller.

Gwen Stewart created several roles in Rent, including introducing the solo vocals for the show's central theme, "Seasons of Love." Ms. Stewart's other theatre credits include the recent Tony-nominated revival of Big River, Starmites, Suds, Ain't Misbehavin', The Wiz, Avenue X, Abyssinia. Her film and television work includes "Notes From the Underbelly," "Related," "Law & Order," "Charmed," "All My Children," "Moesha," "24," "Strong Medicine," "The Guardian," Down To Earth, and Personals.

Rent, written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael 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 played its final performance at the Nederlander Theatre on September 7, 2008 after playing 5,124 performances and 16 previews. Rent is the seventh longest running show in Broadway history and grossed over $280 million during its Broadway run.

Tours of Rent have crisscrossed the country almost continuously since late 1996 and the U.S. national tours have grossed over $330 million. The musical has been translated into every major language and been performed on six continents, including in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Performance times for Rent, appearing February 17-22, 2009 at the Detroit Opera House, located at 1526 Broadway St., in Detroit, are as follows:
-Tuesday through Saturday performances at 8:00 p.m.
-Saturday and Sunday matinee performances at 2:00 p.m.
-Sunday evening performance at 7:30 p.m.
Ticket prices for the Detroit engagement of Rent range from $25-$48 on Tuesday, February 17 (save $10). Ticket prices for all other performances range from $35-$58 and are available for purchase at the Fisher Theatre box office, the Detroit Opera House box office, all Ticketmaster locations, by phone at 1-800-745-3000, and online at www.ticketmaster.com or www.BroadwayInDetroit.com. For group sales (12 or more) please call (313)871-1132 or visit groupsales@nederlanderdetroit.com. For more information, visit www.BroadwayInDetroit.com or call (313) 872-1000.

For complete tour schedule and information visit www.siteforrent.com

The Detroit engagement of Rent is presented by arrangement with the Fisher Theatre and is a subscription offering of the 2008-2009 Broadway in Detroit Season Series which is sponsored by the Metro Detroit Lincoln Dealers.