Civic Theatre Of Allentown Closes RENT: The Encore Production 8/21

After an incredible three-week run last month that brought nearly five thousand people through the doors, Civic Theatre of Allentown is announcing the return of RENT for a three-night only engagement in August. The shows will be on Thursday, August 19th, Friday, August 20th and Saturday, August 21st, all at 8pm. Ticket prices are $31/$28 for students and seniors with a special $10 student rush lottery just like the original New York production (explained below). Tickets are available now online at www.CivicTheatre.com, calling 610.432.8943 or by visiting Civic's Box Office at 527 N 19th Street in Allentown.

The reprise of RENT will feature the return of a cast that won rave reviews from critics and patrons alike. The Press wrote that Karissa Harris "wows the audience." The Morning Call wrote that Traci Cecshin and Laura Romano (as Joanne and Maureen, respectively) are "funny and brash, and their songs are show stoppers." Lehigh Valley Insite raved about Jeramie Mayes as Angel, saying that they "can't even begin to explain his talent."

RENT is another masterpiece for Civic Artistic Director William Sanders; The Press called the show "expertly-crafted" and Lehigh Valley Insite dubbed it a "home run". It is also his most recent in a string of Valley premieres of shows that address homophobia, which include Angels in America, The Normal Heart, Love! Valour! Compassion! and A Man of No Importance.

"RENT was such a profound and joyous experience for myself personally and professionally," says Sanders. "It was an honor to be able to produce it, and it was just as much an honor to have this incredible cast. We were so gratified by the response and the cast is so anxious to do it again. I'm thrilled that they are able to."

Written by Jonathan Larson, who tragically died as a result of an undiagnosed heart condition on the day of RENT's off-Broadway opening, the show, as Larson described it in one sentence is,

"about a community celebrating life, in the face of death and AIDS, at the turn of the century."
RENT is currently the 9th-longest running musical in Broadway history, having wrapped a twelve-year run in late 2008. Along the way it picked up the Tony Awards for Best Musical, Best Book and Best Score, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Musical and Outstanding Book.

Tickets are currently on sale for the reprise of RENT and can be purchased online at www.CivicTheatre.com, by calling 610.432.8943 or by visiting Civic's Box Office at 527 N 19th Street in Allentown.