Washington, DC, November 25, 2009- The hit musical RENT will be presented by The Keegan Theatre from December 17, 2009, through January 17, 2010, at the Church Street Theater. The Keegan Theatre is the first regional professional theatre company in Washington, DC, to present the full stage version of Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award- and Pulitizer Prize-winning musical.
RENT is a revolutionary rock opera with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Puccini’s opera La Boheme. It tells the story of one year in the life of friends living in New York City in the 1990s. The story centers around roommates Mark, a struggling filmmaker, and Roger, an HIV-positive musician and former junkie. While a previous tragedy has made Roger numb to life, Mark tries to capture it through his attempts to make a film. In the year that follows, the group deals with love, loss, AIDS, and the power of friendship in this compelling and significant story. RENT is directed by Susan Marie Rhea and Mark A. Rhea. Musical director is Aaron Broderick and choreography is by Kurt Boehm.
After seeing more than 140 actors during a two-day open call audition, the artistic team held several rounds of callbacks before making final casting decisions. "We could not be more excited about this cast," says Artistic Director Mark A. Rhea, "We feel we’ve found the cream of the crop -- a young, vibrant group of actor-singers who are going to breathe new life into this powerful and iconic rock show."
John Loughney plays the role of Mark Cohen, a struggling documentary filmmaker and best friend of Roger Davis, an HIV-positive musician and recovering heroin addict played by Juan Carlos Sanchez. Emily Levey is Mimi Marquez, an HIV-positive stripper, heroin junkie and Roger’s love interest. Weslie Woodley plays performance artist Maureen Johnson, Mark’s ex-girlfriend and current girlfriend of Joanne Jefferson, a headstrong lawyer played by Katie McManus. Tom Collins, the HIV-positive philosophy teacher and former roommate of Roger, Mark and Maureen is played by Michael Robinson. Parker Drown is cast in the role of Angel, an HIV-positive drag queen and Tom Collins’ love interest. Benjamin “Benny” Coffin III, landlord of Mark and Roger’s building, is played by Edward Daniels. The ensemble comprises Shayna Blass, Mickey Daguiso, Mary Lee Adams, Christina Sanchez, Nick Lehan, Carolyn Myers, Dan Van Why, Christopher Mueller, and Julia Fanning.
Throughout the run of RENT, Keegan Theatre will partner with local organizations to promote support for AIDS research and outreach to DC area residents living with HIV.
RENT will run Thursday-Saturday evenings at 8 PM and Sunday matinees at 3 PM at the Church Street Theater. A special Christmas Eve performance, will have a 9:00 pm curtain time, reflecting the actual time and date that the play begins.
A 7:00 pm New Year’s Eve performance will be followed by a gala with the cast of RENT, hosted by Keegan Theatre and James Hoban’s Restaurant and Bar in Dupont Circle. Entertainment will be provided by Scorpio Entertainment. Tickets for the NYE show and after-party are $75.00.
The Keegan Theatre is in its 12th year as a DC based professional theatre company and in its first year as a full-time resident at Church Street Theater.
WHERE:
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Church Street Theater
1742 Church Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
RENT
Book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Directed by Susan Marie Rhea and Mark A. Rhea
Music directed by Aaron Broderick
Choreographed by Kurt Boehm
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PRESS OPENING:
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December 19, 2009 at 8:00 pm
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PERFORMANCES:
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December 17, 2009- January 17, 2010
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings at 8:00 pm
Special December 24 performance at 9:00pm
December 31 performance at 7:00pm
No performance on December 25
Sunday matinees at 3:00pm
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TICKETS:
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$35- General admission/$30- students and senior/group rates available.
$75 NYE Show/Party Package
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BOX OFFICE:
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703-892-0202 /boxoffice@keegantheatre.com
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WEB ADDRESS:
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www.keegantheatre.com
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RENT ARTISTIC TEAM
Mark A. Rhea and Susan M. Rhea, Directors
Aaron Broderick, Music Director
Kurt Boehm, Choreographer
George Lucas, Set Design
Mike Kozemchak, Band Leader
Chuck Whalen, Production Assistant
Dan Martin, Technical Director
Drew Kopas, Master Electrician
Eamon Coy, Sound Director
John Robert Keena, Sound Engineer
Kelly Peacock and Shadia Hafiz, Costume Design
Rich Ching and Christina Coakley, Stage Managers
Cee Cee Swalling, Assistant Stage Manager
RENT CAST
Mary Lee Adams, Ensemble
Shayna Blass, Ensemble
Mickey Daguiso, Ensemble/Swing
Edward Daniels, Benny
Parker Drown, Angel
Julia Fanning, Ensemble
Nick Lehan, Ensemble
Emily Levey, Mimi
John Loughney, Mark
Katie McManus, JoAnne
Christopher Mueller, Ensemble
Carolyn Myers, Ensemble/Swing
Michael Robinson, Collins
Christina Sanchez, Ensemble
Juan Carlos Sanchez, Roger
Dan Van Why, Ensemble
Weslie Woodley, Maureen
