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Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT, created by ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ graduate Jonathan Larson (’82), has become a pop culture phenomenon. The ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Performing Arts Center (PAC) opened its doors in the fall of 2008 with the first college production of this beloved musical. We are honored to kick off our 10th anniversary season in a similar fashion with a concert version of the show, featuring a cast of some of Broadway’s finest performers. RENT in Concert will be performed on Saturday, September 16 at 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 17 at 2:00 p.m. on the Westermann Stage, Concert Hall in the ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ PAC, 1 South Ave, Garden City, New York.

With a band led byÌýRENT’s original associate conductorÌýDaniel Weiss,Ìýoriginal Broadway company member ofÌýRENTÌýFredi Walker-Brown joins Broadway starsÌýMatt BogartÌý(Jersey Boys,ÌýAida,ÌýMiss Saigon,ÌýSmokey Joe’s Cafe,ÌýThe Civil War),ÌýFelicia BoswellÌý(Shuffle Along,ÌýMemphis,ÌýMotown: The Musical),ÌýSydney James HarcourtÌý(Hamilton,ÌýAmerican Idiot,ÌýBells Are Ringing),ÌýLilli CooperÌý(SpongeBob SquarePants,ÌýWicked,ÌýSpring Awakening),ÌýDanielle L. GreavesÌý(A Streetcar Named Desire,ÌýHairspray,ÌýRENT,ÌýShowboat,ÌýSunset Boulevard),ÌýDouglas LyonsÌý(Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,ÌýThe Book of Mormon),ÌýMJ RodriguezÌý(RENTÌýOff-Broadway),ÌýMike SquillanteÌý(NBC’sÌýThe Voice) and more to be announced for this special event.Ìý

Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, Jonathan Larson’s RENT follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.Ìý This is theatre at its best – exuberant, passionate and joyous.

RENT’s book, music and lyrics were written by Jonathan Larson (‘82). RENT in Concert is produced and directed by T. Oliver Reed.

Tickets for Saturday night are priced at $100/$60/$55 and tickets for Sunday afternoon at $55/$50. The $100 VIP tickets include premium seating and an invitation to the post-show reception with the cast and other special guests in celebration of the start of the ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ PAC’s 10^th anniversary season.

The ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ PAC is one of Long Island’s premier cultural arts venues for entertainment of all kinds. Tickets are currently on sale and discounts are available to seniors, students and alumni. Information is available at the Lucia and Steven N. Fischer Box Office at 516.877.4000 or boxoffice@adelphi.edu. Regular box office hours are Tuesday through Friday from 1:00-6:00 p.m. The box office is also open two hours before most scheduled performances.