RENT Cast Announced

The cast has been announced today for the new Australian tour of the multi-Tony Award winning rock musical by Jonathan Larson, RENT.

RENT will play at the Playhouse, QPAC, Brisbane from 27 January 2024, then State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne from 17 February, Newcastle’s Civic Theatre from 15 March, His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth from 11 May, and Canberra Theatre from 6 June. Head to rentmusical.au for tickets.

Director Shaun Rennie, musical director Andrew Worboys and choreographer Luca Dinardo will helm this all-new production. Noah Mullins (West Side Story) plays the role of Mark, a struggling documentary filmmaker and best friend of Roger, an HIV-positive musician recovering from heroin addiction, played by Jerrod Smith (The Lovers). Martha Berhane (Hamilton) is Mimi, a reckless and passionate exotic dancer who lives only for today. The Voice 2023 finalist Calista Nelmes (Jersey Boys NZ) plays performance artist Maureen, Mark's ex-girlfriend and current girlfriend of Joanne, a tough, headstrong Harvard-educated lawyer played by The Voice 2022 Grand Finalist, THNDO (Dreamgirls).

Philosophy teacher Collins, father-figure, friend and former roommate of Roger, Mark, and Maureen, is played by Nick Afoa (Miss Saigon), with Carl De Villa (Kinky Boots) in the role of Angel, an HIV-positive drag artist with a passion for life in the face of inevitable adversity. Benny, played by Tana Laga’aia (The 25^th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), is the former friend and current landlord of Mark, Roger, and Mimi.

Completing the cast are Anna Francesca Armenia, Kelsi Boyden (also Resident Director), Mariah Gonzalez, Sam Harmon, Lawrence Hawkins, Josslynn Hlenti (Joanne Alternate), Hannah McInerney, Sam Richardson, Chad Rosete and Theodore Williams.

Step onto the vibrant streets of New York City's East Village, where dreams are born, friendships are tested, and the power of love prevails. Featuring the iconic songs "Seasons of Love”, ”Take Me or Leave Me”, and "La Vie Bohème”, this groundbreaking sensation is more than a musical; it’s a celebration of life, love, and the human spirit.

“For over 25 years RENT has spoken to each new generation of young people, fighting to be heard and seen,” said director Shaun Rennie. “Its timeless message of celebrating life in the face of death remains as relevant today as it did 28 years ago when it first took the world by storm. I am honoured and excited to be directing this national tour of RENT with an incredible cast and creative team. Viva La vie Boheme!”

Jonathan Larson’s RENT opened Off-Broadway in 1996 and quickly became a global phenomenon. The show earned Larson multiple Tony Awards along with a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, a distinction not received again by a music theatre work until 14 years later. Though Larson himself never saw the impact of his masterwork – he died suddenly in the early hours of the day the show opened to the public – its longevity serves as a testament to the emotional resonance of his creation and an embodiment of its ever-present message “no day but today”.

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Photographer: Wendell Teodoro

RENT

Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson 

Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia)

Director: Shaun Rennie

Associate Director: Leah Howard

Musical Director:  Andrew Worboys

Choreographer: Luca Dinardo

Lighting Designer: Paul Jackson

Sound Designer: Evan Drill

Set Designer:Dann Barber

Costume Designer:Ella Butler

BRISBANE SEASON DETAILS

Venue: Playhouse, QPAC

Season: 27 January – 4 February

Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm and 6pm

Prices: From $56 (Transaction fees apply)

Bookings: qpac.com.au or phone 136 246

Groups 10+ call (07) 3840 7466

MELBOURNE SEASON DETAILS

Venue: State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne

Season: 17 – 25 February

Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm and 6pm

Prices: From $59.90 (Transaction fees apply)

Bookings: artscentremelbourne.com.au or call 1300 182 183

Groups 10+ call 1300 182 183                    

NEWCASTLE SEASON DETAILS

Venue: Civic Theatre, Newcastle

Season: 15 – 17 March

Performance Times: Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm and 6pm 

Prices: From $59 (Transaction fees apply)

Bookings: civictheatrenewcastle.com.au or (02) 4929 1977

PRESALES FROM 31 OCTOBER/ GP SALES FROM 2 NOVEMBER

PERTH SEASON DETAILS

Venue: His Majesty’s Theatre

Season: 11 - 19 May

Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm and 6pm  

Prices: From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)

Bookings: artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au or (08) 6212 9292

PRESALES FROM 31 OCTOBER/ GP SALES FROM 2 NOVEMBER

CANBERRA SEASON DETAILS

Venue: Canberra Theatre

Season: 7 – 13 June

Performance Times: Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 2pm

Prices: From $59.90 (Transaction fees apply)

Bookings: canberratheatrecentre.com.au or (02) 6275 2700

PRESALES FROM 31 OCTOBER/ GP SALES FROM 2 NOVEMBER