RENT Manila, the San Francisco East Bay and New Jersey Feature Filipino Actors

New productions of Jonathan Larson's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical RENT are about to open in Manila, the San Francisco East Bay and New Jersey. And all these productions happen to feature Filipino and Filipino-American actors in their roster of young and hip cast members.

RENT originally opened Off-Broadway on January 25, 1996, a day after the untimely death of Larson. Considered by theatre fans and critics as an overnight sensation, it moved to Broadway after a few months where it had a phenomenal 12-year run.

Time Magazine called it a "breakthrough." The New York Times deemed RENT "an exhilarating landmark."

Loosely based on Giacomo Puccini's "La Boheme," RENT is a rock musical about seven young artists who struggle to survive in New York's BohemIan East village in the late '90s. The show's songs range from rock 'n' roll numbers to anthemic ballads. Very popular around the world, RENT has been translated into 15 languages in 25 countries.

In 2005, the musical was also adapted into a motion picture that featured most of the original cast members. The movie tie-in helped to widen the popularity of the show among younger generations and led to the term "Renthead," as a label for those fans desperate for show tickets, who even camped out for hours to secure them.

9 Works Theatrical's production of RENT is the first musical to open in Manila this year.

The cast includes local television mainstay Gian Magdangal as Roger Davis, a songwriter who is HIV positive; communication student Fredison Lo as Mark Cohen, an independent filmmaker and Roger's roommate; and Nicole Asensio as Mimi Márquez, an exotic dancer with HIV.

The cast also features OJ Mariano as Tom Collins, a gay philosophy professor and anarchist with AIDS; Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist; Noel Rayos as Benjamin 'Benny' Coffin III, the local landlord and a former roommate of Roger, Mark, Collins, and Maureen; Job Bautista as Angel Dumott Schunard, a drag queen percussionist with AIDS; Jenny Villegas as Joanne Jefferson, a lawyer, who is Maureen's partner; and Cara Barredo, as Mimi Marquez (at certain performances)

Ensemble members include Ring Antonio, Peachy Atilano, Johann Dela Fuente, Harold Cruz, Gary Junsay, Raul Montesa, Anna Santamaria and Mark Tayag.

Robbie Guevara directs RENT in Manila, which runs February 5 to 28, 2010 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City.

On the other hand, RENT at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts (19501 Redwood Road, Castro Valley) in the San Francisco Bay Area, runs from January 29 to February 7, 2010. Presented by the Golden State Theatre Company, this is the third offering of the Castro Valley Arts Foundation "2009-2010 Subscription Series."

Filipino and Filipino-American actors Jeffrey Ramos, Nina Gosiengfiao and Carissa Hatchel play support and ensemble roles.

The production features direction by Ted Curry and musical direction by Tim Hanson.

Similar to RENT in Manila, The Theater Company (TTC) opens its new production of the landmark musical in February 2010.

The cast includes Tamala Baldwin as Joanne, Noah Brendemuehl as Roger, Glen Llanes as Angel, Nicole Nicastro as Maureen, Jake Ottosen as Mark, Reny Rosado as Benny, Antoine L. Smith as Collins, Katelyn Spinosa as Mimi and ensemble members: Jerome Amanquiton, Mimi Francis, Anna Grace, Brandon Hightower, Stav Meishar, Kara Moulter, Fred Mursch, Casey O'Keefe, Ben Schnickel, Steven Slatten and Adena Weisholtz.

Llanes and Amanquiton, who is also an understudy for the role of Angel, are both Filipino-American actors. Llanes' past theatre credits include New York City/Regional tour of MISS SAIGON as Thuy, KING AND I as Lun Tha and Godspell as Lamar. Meanwhile, Amanquiton is a physical therapist based in New York City. He was last seen in Phoenix Production of MISS SAIGON at the Count Basie Theatre, which was shown last year.

David Zimmerman directs RENT in New Jersey.

For tickets to RENT Manila, contact Ticketworld at (632)819-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

For tickets to RENT the East Bay, contact 510-899-8961 or visit www.cvartsfoundation.org.

For tickets to RENT New Jersey, visit www.brownpapertickets.com/event/87678.