Arianda Fernandez

BWW Exclusive: The Story of How RENT Came to Be

Tonight, FOX will air their third live musical production. Following in the footsteps of Grease and A Christmas Story, the network will be presenting Jonathan Larson's Rent, a rock musical that is loosely based on Giacomo Puccini's 1896 opera, La boheme. The story follows a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in New York City's East Village in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.

There have been a lot of versions of Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey's (book, music and lyrics) GREASE that I've seen over the years. Only one, New Line Theatre's brilliant staging a few years back, actually adhered to the musical as originally conceived. The majority have followed the template laid down by the 1978 movie version that was tailored to fit the stars; Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta. That's the version currently gracing the stage of The MUNY, although it features a number of interesting changes, beginning with a choral version of the opening "Alma Mater" that actually utilizes the lyrics to the song "We Go Together". It's certainly an entertaining ride, and is much improved in many ways over the version staged here back in 2007.

The Muny presents the sixth show of its 96th season, Grease, directed and choreographed by Denis Jones, with music direction by Michael Horsley. Grease is sponsored by Emerson. Check out the Instagram photos below!

The Muny presents the sixth show of its 96th season, Grease, directed and choreographed by Denis Jones, with music direction by Michael Horsley. Grease is sponsored by Emerson. Check out a look at Phyllis Smith as Miss Lynch in the video below!

The off-Broadway production of Rent closed last night, September 9, at New World Stages. The production played 32 previews and 450 performances. Rent, which is written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, opened at the theater on August 11, 2011. Check out photos from the final curatin call below!

The off-Broadway production of Rent will close after the performance today, September 9, at New World Stages. The production will have played 32 previews and 450 performances. Rent, which is written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, opened at the theater on August 11, 2011. Below, BroadwayWorld takes you on a multimedia flashback through the show's return to New York!

Anthony Fedorov and Natalie Wachen join the cast of Rent in the roles of Roger and Mimi beginning on Wednesday, July 11. Shaleah Adkisson took over the role of Joanne on June 11.

Josh Grisetti, Justin Johnston, and Rashad Naylor begin performances tomorrow, January 20, in the roles of Mark, Roger, and Benny, respectively, in the hit off-Broadway production of Rent, currently playing at New World Stages.

According to the show's Facebook page, Emma Hunton Josh Grisetti, and Justin Johnston will join the cast of off-Broadway's RENT on January 20. Johnston wrote on Twitter: 'That's right. I start Jan. 18 at New World Stages in NYC. Who knew... Roger'. Hunton added: 'So excited for rehearsal tomorrow. Make sure you all come down to New World Stages and come see Rent.' The trio will replace Annaleigh Ashford, Adam Chanler-Berat and Matt Shindledecker as Maureen, Mark and Roger.

The cast of the off-Broadway hit Rent will perform the 2011 Rent Holiday Christmas Pageant Extravaganza Spectacular on Monday, December 5, at 11pm at New World Stages, 340 West 50 Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues.

The Muny presents the sixth show of its 96th season, Grease, directed and choreographed by Denis Jones, with music direction by Michael Horsley. Grease is sponsored by Emerson. Check out a look at Phyllis Smith as Miss Lynch in the video below!

The cast of the landmark musical Rent performed today on Regis Philbin's final episode of 'Live! with Regis and Kelly.' Mr. Philbin's extraordinary run was celebrated in his final minutes on the show with a surprise performance of Rent's signature song, 'Seasons of Love,' with special lyrics penned for the occasion by the production teams of both shows. Check out the performance below!

The new, off-Broadway production of RENT opened August 11 at New World Stages. The resurrection of the cult classic, written by Jonathan Larson, is being directed by Michael Greif, who directed the show's original off-Broadway and Broadway productions. The creative team includes choreographer Larry Keigwin, music supervisor Tim Weil, set designer Mark Wendland, costume designer Angela Wendt, lighting designer Kevin Adams, sound designer Brian Ronan, and projection designer by Peter Nigrini. In the video below, original and current costume designers Angela Wendt and Lisa Zinni talk about how the costumes in 'RENT' have evolved over the years and what can be expected in the Off-Broadway revival.

The new, off-Broadway production of RENT opened on Thursday, August 11 at New World Stages and BroadwayWorld TV was there to talk to the show's new cast all about bringing the new production to the stage!

The new, off-Broadway production of Rent began previews on, July 14, and opens Thursday, August 11 at New World Stages. Here, the cast talks about working with Rent's original director, Michael Greif.

The new, off-Broadway production of Rent began previews on, July 14, and opens Thursday, August 11 at New World Stages. In the video below, the cast members talk about the appropriateness of the show in 2011. Click below to check it out!

The new, off-Broadway production of Rent began previews on, July 14, and opens Thursday, August 11 at New World Stages. In the video below, the cast members talk about their individual characters. Click below to check it out!

Yesterday, August 1, BroadwayWorld visited New World Stages with Richie Ridge to meet the new cast of Rent! Previews for this revival production off-Broadway began on July 14 in anticipation of an August 11 opening. To meet the players filling these iconic roles, click below!

It's part two of the BWW TV First Look Video Preview that you've been waiting for -- the first glimpse at 'Seasons of Love' from the new, off-Broadway production of Rent which previews on, July 14, and opens Thursday, August 11 at New World Stages. Click below to play!

It's the BWW TV First Look Video Preview that you've been waiting for -- the first glimpse at the new, off-Broadway production of Rent which previews on, July 14, and opens Thursday, August 11 at New World Stages. Click below to play!