Photo Flash: WBT Presents RENT

WESTCHESTER BROADWAY THEATRE Is Proud To Present THE GROUNDBREAKING MUSICAL RENT from August 19 - September 25, 2010

Music, Lyrics and Libretto by Jonathan Larson
Based on Giacomo Puccini's Opera La bohème
Directed and Choreographed by Patricia Wilcox
Musical Direction by Christopher McGovern

RENT, the gritty, life-affirming musical experience celebrates the power of love and friendship and community. Set in NYC's East Village, RENT is a modern take on the classic Giacomo Puccini opera, "La Bohème". This unforgettable story of a group of starving artists who, despite poverty and illness, learn to fall in love and find their voices, brings a universal message of hope for everyone.
The musical was first seen in a limited three-week workshop production at New York Theatre Workshop in 1994. RENT opened at the Nederlander Theatre on the 100th anniversary of the original "La Bohème". Unfortunately, Jonathan Larson died unexpectedly the night of the show's final preview. But his creation would go on to become one of the biggest Broadway success stories of the decade. Before Rent, Jonathan Larson had composed another musical called Superbia, a rock monologue; tick, tick ... BOOM! and a variety of songs for children including songs for "Sesame Street." Over the course of its groundbreaking 12-year New York run, RENT transformed the definition of musical theater -- and changed Broadway forever. RENT gained critical acclaim and garnered all the major theatre awards of 1996 including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Obie Award, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and three Drama Desk Awards.

The Show has left a powerful legacy in the theater community, which for many decades had seemed doomed to revivals of 1950s classic musicals. Many theater critics hold the show partly responsible for the restoration of the American musical. Since RENT premiered in 1996, the call for new Broadway shows has increased tremendously, and a new generation has been brought to the theater by the message and power of the show.

WBT Favorite, Patricia Wilcox, who directed our productions of AIDA and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, will Direct and Choreograph. The Cast includes: Mark Ayesh (Roger), Steena Hernandez (Mimi) Andy Kelso (Mark) Justin Keyes (Benny), Gabrielle Reid (Joanne), Angelo Rios (Tom Collins), Sara Ruzicka (Maureen) Justin Senense (Angel) Joseph Almohaya, Melvin Bell, LovLee Carroll, Julie Conuel, Jason Gotay, Rebecca Larkin, Jenna Noel, Tanesha Ross, Antoine Smith, Tonya Thompson.
The winning Production Team includes, Ken Larson (Set Design), Steve Loftus (Set Coordinator), Andrew Gmoser (Lighting Design), Jonathan Hatton (Sound Design) and Matthew Hemesath (Costume Design).

Patricia Wilcox (Director/Choreographer) returns to WBT where she previously directed and choreographed AIDA and LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Other credits include CHILDREN'S LETTERS TO GOD (Lamb's Theatre), BOWFIRE (current national tour and PBS Special), A MARVELOUS PARTY (co conceiver/choreographer) which has garnered a JEFF Award, a LA Drama Critics Circle Award and an Elliott Norton Award, and has been produced across the country. Other work includes BLUES IN THE NIGHT for the New York revival, the national and international companies, and Thames Television in London (Drama Logue Award and also NAACP Image Award nomination), SEUSSICAL (national tour), GUYS AND DOLLS (Paper Mill Playhouse), SMOKEY JOE'S CAFE, CAMELOT and AIDA (North Shore Music Theatre), THE PAJAMA GAME (Chicago's Marriott Lincolnshire-Jeff nomination), PIRATES OF PENZANCE (Missouri Repertory Theatre), JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, CABARET, and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC (Sacramento Music), HAIR, THE PAJAMA GAME, MY FAIR LADY, HMS PINAFORE, PIRATES OF PENZANCE, and SCAPIN (Arizona Theatre Company), DIE FLEDERMAUS (Arkansas Opera), A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (Moscow Arts Center), HIT ME WITH A HOT NOTE (national tour), A SWELL PARTY (Kennedy Center), and BROADWAY UNDER THE STARS in Bryant Park in NYC. She choreographed the rock ‘n roll premiere of FALCO- A CYBER SHOW for the Ronacher Theatre in Vienna, the premiere of A MAGIC NIGHT for the Berns Theatre in Stockholm, and numerous tours, commercials and television shows in Europe. Ms. Wilcox staged original works for the Houston Symphony, Minnesota Pops, and Phoenix Symphony. She has also created numbers for ice skating gold medalists Viktor Petrenko, Ilia Kulik, Katya Gordeeva, Miki Ando, and two ice dancing teams for the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Coming Soon:
JEKYLL & HYDE 9/30/10 - 11/28/10 and resuming 12/29/11 - 2/6/11
A SLEEPY HOLLOW CHRISTMAS CAROL 12/1/10 -12/26/10
And Many Specials!
Check out our website:www.BroadwayTheatre.com

Reservations: Call (914)-592-2222. Also at: www.BroadwayTheatre.com

Group Reservations: Groups of 20 or More: Call 592-2225.

Luxury Boxes: Call 592-8730. For private parties of 6 to 22. Enjoy dining and theatre in an elegant private box. Additional features include an expanded dinner menu, hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, private powder room, and Luxury Box reserved parking.

Ticket Prices: Dinner & Show range between $52.00 and $75.00 PLUS TAX depending on the performance chosen. Beverage Service & Gratuities are not included in the ticket price. Discounts are available for children, students, and senior citi zens at selected perform ances. Also check the Website for On-going Special Offers!

Photos by John Vecchiolla

Gabrielle Reid and Sara Ruzicka

Andy Kelso and Mark Ayesh

The Company of Rent at WBT

Mark Ayesh and Steena Hernandez