LIVE ON STAGE: RENT
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La vie boheme! The smash-hit ‘90s musical RENT is live on stage September 3-20 to open Ocala Civic Theatre’s 76th season.
How do you measure a year in the life – all 525,600 minutes of it? Through seasons of love. Set in the vibrant East Village of New York City from 1989 to 1990, Jonathan Larson's iconic rock musical follows a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive, dream, and create under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
Inspired by Puccini’s beloved opera La Boheme, the story of RENT is told by filmmaker and video artist Mark Cohen (Hunter Freilich). He feels like an outsider in his fragmented friend group and longs for the “moments so dear” – the daylights, sunsets, midnights, and cups of coffee – when everyone was closer. Mark shares a loft with his roommate, musician Roger Davis (Hunter Leary), a singer-songwriter and recovering drug addict living with HIV. Reeling from his girlfriend’s suicide, Roger hasn’t left the apartment in six months.
For this and many other reasons, Christmas Eve doesn’t start out festive for the friend group. Mark is coping with the recent loss of his own girlfriend, defiant performance artist Maureen Johnson (Caylinn Mosblech) – but to Ivy League-educated lawyer Joanne Jefferson (Iyanna Lynell). Their friend Tom Collins (Joseph Devon Fagan Jr.), an anarchist technology professor at NYU, is held up and beaten by muggers. And Mark and Roger’s landlord, Benny (Thaylia Freeman), is demanding the rent – but even worse to the group is that their former friend has sold out for money and become estranged from them.
However, Collins finds comfort when he meets vibrant street musician and drag queen Angel Dumott Schunard (Geovanni Jimenez), also living with HIV. Another instant attraction sparks when Roger meets Mimi (Janéa King), an exotic dancer and drug addict who lives below their apartment, seeking light during a blackout. As old and new friends and lovers gather, suddenly the evening shines brighter for all – with passion and chaotic energy, lighting a candle that illuminates their holiday revels and rebellions.
But as time passes – New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, a tumultuous spring and summer, a painful autumn – the candle dims. Only time will tell what miracles may befall some and pass by the rest. And as the year comes full circle to another Christmas, all those who remain can do is cherish each other and whatever time is left to them all.
A powerhouse ensemble (Hailee Barrett, Elena Daniel, Ryan Lilly, Kyle Machande, Antonio Perez, Xavier Rosado, Alexis Trimboli, Alayah Wilson) unforgettably brings to life all the other characters we meet in this bohemian world. Winner of the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT is a passionate pop-culture phenomenon about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for no day but today.
RENT is directed by Eb Madson. Music director is Justin Davis. Choreographer is Reese Evans. Scenic and projections designer is Evan Frank. Costume designer is Amanda Jones. Lighting designer is Robert P. Robins. Sound designer is Alexa Hall. Props designer is Tara Oathout. Dialect and intimacy coordinator is Kiara Feliciano. Stage manager is Nicole Thomas.
RENT is live on stage September 3-20 at Ocala Civic Theatre. There will be 15 performances: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. This show is rated PG-13 and is for mature audiences only (strong language and depictions of adult content).
Tickets are $35-$40 for adults and $17-20 for ages 18 and younger, based on seating section, at ocalacivictheatre.com. Purchase tickets through the Civic box office in person or over the phone at (352) 236-2274, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Group sales also are available, with discounts for groups of 10 or more. Please call the box office for details and to make group reservations.
RENT: Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson / Musical Arrangements by Steve Skinner / Original Concept/Additional Lyrics by Billy Aronson / Music Supervision and Additional Arrangements by Tim Weil / Dramaturg: Lynn Thomson / RENT was originally produced in New York by New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon and New York Theatre Workshop / RENT is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. • www.mtishows.com
COMMUNITY PARTNER: Marion Mosaic
How do you measure a year in the life – all 525,600 minutes of it? Through seasons of love. Set in the vibrant East Village of New York City from 1989 to 1990, Jonathan Larson's iconic rock musical follows a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive, dream, and create under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
Inspired by Puccini’s beloved opera La Boheme, the story of RENT is told by filmmaker and video artist Mark Cohen (Hunter Freilich). He feels like an outsider in his fragmented friend group and longs for the “moments so dear” – the daylights, sunsets, midnights, and cups of coffee – when everyone was closer. Mark shares a loft with his roommate, musician Roger Davis (Hunter Leary), a singer-songwriter and recovering drug addict living with HIV. Reeling from his girlfriend’s suicide, Roger hasn’t left the apartment in six months.
For this and many other reasons, Christmas Eve doesn’t start out festive for the friend group. Mark is coping with the recent loss of his own girlfriend, defiant performance artist Maureen Johnson (Caylinn Mosblech) – but to Ivy League-educated lawyer Joanne Jefferson (Iyanna Lynell). Their friend Tom Collins (Joseph Devon Fagan Jr.), an anarchist technology professor at NYU, is held up and beaten by muggers. And Mark and Roger’s landlord, Benny (Thaylia Freeman), is demanding the rent – but even worse to the group is that their former friend has sold out for money and become estranged from them.
However, Collins finds comfort when he meets vibrant street musician and drag queen Angel Dumott Schunard (Geovanni Jimenez), also living with HIV. Another instant attraction sparks when Roger meets Mimi (Janéa King), an exotic dancer and drug addict who lives below their apartment, seeking light during a blackout. As old and new friends and lovers gather, suddenly the evening shines brighter for all – with passion and chaotic energy, lighting a candle that illuminates their holiday revels and rebellions.
But as time passes – New Year’s Eve, Valentine’s Day, a tumultuous spring and summer, a painful autumn – the candle dims. Only time will tell what miracles may befall some and pass by the rest. And as the year comes full circle to another Christmas, all those who remain can do is cherish each other and whatever time is left to them all.
A powerhouse ensemble (Hailee Barrett, Elena Daniel, Ryan Lilly, Kyle Machande, Antonio Perez, Xavier Rosado, Alexis Trimboli, Alayah Wilson) unforgettably brings to life all the other characters we meet in this bohemian world. Winner of the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT is a passionate pop-culture phenomenon about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for no day but today.
RENT is directed by Eb Madson. Music director is Justin Davis. Choreographer is Reese Evans. Scenic and projections designer is Evan Frank. Costume designer is Amanda Jones. Lighting designer is Robert P. Robins. Sound designer is Alexa Hall. Props designer is Tara Oathout. Dialect and intimacy coordinator is Kiara Feliciano. Stage manager is Nicole Thomas.
RENT is live on stage September 3-20 at Ocala Civic Theatre. There will be 15 performances: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. This show is rated PG-13 and is for mature audiences only (strong language and depictions of adult content).
Tickets are $35-$40 for adults and $17-20 for ages 18 and younger, based on seating section, at ocalacivictheatre.com. Purchase tickets through the Civic box office in person or over the phone at (352) 236-2274, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Group sales also are available, with discounts for groups of 10 or more. Please call the box office for details and to make group reservations.
RENT: Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson / Musical Arrangements by Steve Skinner / Original Concept/Additional Lyrics by Billy Aronson / Music Supervision and Additional Arrangements by Tim Weil / Dramaturg: Lynn Thomson / RENT was originally produced in New York by New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon and New York Theatre Workshop / RENT is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. • www.mtishows.com
COMMUNITY PARTNER: Marion Mosaic
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Where is it happening?
4337 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL, United States, Florida 34470, 4337 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala, FL 34470-5001, United States, Silver Springs
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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