Photo Flash: More Pictures of RENT at WBT

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.

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

Photos by John Vecchiolla