WATCH: CHRIS LYNCH TALKS TO CAST MEMBERS OF RENT
It’s not hard to see what RENT is one of the most uplifting and beloved musicals across the globe.
This ground-breaking production follows a group of artists struggling to follow their dreams in New York City against a backdrop of poverty, looming gentrification and the AIDS crisis of the 1990s.
The show opened on Broadway in 1996, and ran for 12 years, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical across its record-breaking run.
At the heart of this rock musical is a story that transcends its time and place – it is a celebration of love, friendship and living life to the fullest, every day.
And this Court Theatre production is up there with the best of them, receiving standing ovations every night.
Photo: The Court Theatre, Christchurch
The themes of rent remain relevant today.
Instead of living in fear or hate, the characters come together despite their differences and show each other what happens when you allow yourself to fall in love with the people around you.
Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon with memorable songs and very likable characters.
Director Lara Macgregor said she is “thrilled with The Court Theatre’s decision to bring RENT back to the stage. Surely there’s no better time in our post-Covid history to celebrate actors, creativity and lifelong friendships. What a privilege to carry the torch for Jonathan Larson who, at 36, after three hard years of developing RENT, passed away the night before it saw an audience. He never got to bask in its huge success. We have a remarkable opportunity to continue his legacy and bring the unprecedented energy that is RENT to Christchurch.”
Helping bring that energy to life is Musical Director Richard Marrett.
“This is an opportunity I never thought we’d have again: to perform RENT, which has become a modern classic, on The Court stage with a cast of extraordinary vocalists and a band of outstanding rock musicians.”
Artistic Director Dr Alison Walls said “it’s an energetic and uplifting musical, and RENT is a well-deserved multi-award winner and something of a modern musical institution.”
19 NOVEMBER 2022 – 21 JANUARY 2023
