Jonathan Larson’s rock musical Rent opened on Broadway in 1996 and became one of the longest running shows in New York’s theatre district, playing for 12 years.
Loosely based on Giacomo Puccini’s 1896 opera La Bohème, it tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive and create a life in Lower Manhattan’s East Village under the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
It has had countless international performances over the years and now Gosford Musical Society will bring its own touch to the acclaimed musical, featuring some of the brightest your performers on the Central Coast.
Following a highly-praised performance as Dewey Finn in last year’s School of Rock, Isaac Ledingham plays Roger.
A music teacher by day, Ledingham also featured as one of a four-strong cast in Jason Robert Brown’s Songs for a New World.
Alexander Rowe takes on the role of Mark, after acclaimed performances as the lead character in The Wedding Singer and in Wyong Musical Theatre Company’s production of Little Women, where he played a German professor.
Other major cast members include Finn Alexander, Cara Cerulli, Jarrod Thompson, Jessica King, Eamon Moses and Teaghan Thompson, who are supported by a strong ensemble of 23 actors, singers and dancers.
The show follows a group of young bohemians as the physical and emotional complications of HIV/AIDS pervade their lives while negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts.
Director Rob Hale said the theme of Rent is a universal one, highlighting the value of love and life and connects everyone who feels alone or afraid, or is struggling for being who they are, following their dream or afraid of being their authentic self.
“It carries an important message that we must learn from the struggle, and the uncertainty,” he said.
“We need to reach out to our community, live in the moment, choose love, and choose each other over adversity.”
Musical Director for Rent is Marianne Powles, with choreography by Lauren Miller and Lara Coffey.
Rent opens at Gosford’s Laycock Street Theatre for a three-week season from Friday, March 3, until Saturday March 18.
Bookings are available on the GMS website.
Terry Collins