Posted July 2, 2009

STARS OF ORIGINAL BROADWAY PRODUCTION AND FILM ADAPTATION OF “RENT”

Schenectady, NY– Jeffrey Seller Kevin McCollum Allan S. Gordon have announced that Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp will reprise the roles they originated on Broadway in “Rent: The Broadway Tour” when it visits Proctors.

Joining Pascal and Rapp are Nicolette Hart (Maureen Johnson), Justin Johnston (Angel Schunard), Lexi Lawson (Mimi Marquez), Michael McElroy (Tom Collins), Jacques C. Smith (Benjamin Coffin III), and Haneefah Wood (Joanne Jefferson). The ensemble is rounded out by Karmine Alers, Toby Blackwell, Crystal Monée Hall, Adam Halpin, Trisha Jeffrey, Joshua Kobak, Telly Leung, Jed Resnick, Andy Señor, Caren Tackett, Yuka Takara and John Watson.

Pascal and Rapp originated the roles of Roger Davis, Mark Cohen, respectively, at the New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway. Justin Johnston and Michael McElroy were members of the final company of “RENT”, which played its last performance on Broadway on Sept. 7, 2008.

“Rent: The Broadway Tour” is directed by Michael Greif, who received 1996 Tony and Drama Desk nominations as well as the Obie Award for “RENT”. Marlies Yearby, who received a Tony Award nomination for her work on the musical, choreographs the show and Tim Weil, the show’s original music supervisor and conductor, serves as music supervisor.

Pascal received Obie and Theatre World awards and Tony and Drama Desk nominations for best actor for “RENT”. On Broadway, he also originated the role of Radames in the hit musical “Aida” and starred as the Emcee in the long-running revival of “Cabaret.” His film credits include Rent, School of Rock, SLC Punk!, Temptation, and Goyband.

An actor since the age of six, Rapp has appeared on Broadway in “Precious Sons” (Outer Critics Circle Award), “Six Degrees of Separation,” and the revival of “You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” His films include Adventures in Babysitting, School Ties, Dazed and Confused, Six Degrees of Separation, David Searching, Man of the Century, Road Trip, A Beautiful Mind, Open House, Winter Passing, Danny Roane: First Time Director, and Scaring the Fish. His book, “Without You: a Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent”, about his experiences on and offstage, was published in 2006 by Simon & Schuster and became a national bestseller.

Nicolette Hart’s Broadway credits include “RENT”, “Legally Blonde,” and “The Wedding Singer.” Her TV and film credits include “Law and Order,” “Lipstick Jungle,” “Veronika Decides To Die,” “Love and Other Impossible Pursuits” and “Cherry Crush.”

Justin Johnston played Angel Schunard in the final Broadway company of “RENT” and can be seen with the closing cast in “Rent Filmed Live on Broadway.”

Michael McElroy played Tom Collins in the final Broadway company of “RENT”. His Broadway credits include “Wild Party,” “Big River” (Tony and Drama Desk nominations), “The Who’s Tommy,” “Miss Saigon,” “Patti LuPone on Broadway,” and “High Rollers.” McElroy’s TV credits include “Love Monkey,” “All My Children,” and “Spin City.”

Jacques C. Smith made his Broadway debut as Benny in “RENT”. His TV credits include “CSI: Miami,” “ER,” HBO’s “OZ,” PBS’s Emmy-winning “American Masters” series “Ralph Ellison: An American Journey,” “The Division,” and “Law and Order.”

Haneefah Wood’s Broadway credits include “RENT”, “Avenue Q”, and “Brooklyn.” She originated roles in the workshops of “Shrek” and “Good Vibrations.” Her film and television credits include “Freedomland,” “Law and Order: Criminal Intent,” “Strong Medicine,” and “Days of Our Lives.”

“RENT”, written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, opened at Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre, on April 29, 1996, following a history-making, sold-out, extended-limited engagement at off-Broadway’s New York Theatre Workshop. The musical went on to win every major best musical award, including the Tony Award, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for drama. “RENT” played its final performance at the Nederlander Theatre on Sept. 7, 2008 after playing 5,124 performances and 16 previews. “RENT” is the eighth-longest-running show in Broadway history and grossed more than $280 million during its Broadway run.

Tours of “RENT” have crisscrossed the country almost continuously since late 1996 and the U.S. national tours have grossed more than $330 million. The musical has been translated into every major language and been performed on six continents, including in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Finland, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Portugal, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Tickets for “Rent: The Broadway Tour” at Proctors on July 28 – August 2 are $65 $55 $40 and $20. Tickets are available at Proctors Box Office, (518) 346-6204, or online at proctors.org. This performance is part of the Keeler Broadway on Tour Series, and also sponsored by The Muddy Cup.

Significant discounts on tickets are available for groups of 20 or more. A listing of shows and pricing may be found on proctors.org/group_sales or by contacting Proctors Group Sales at 518-382-3884 ext. 139.

This performance is sponsored, in part, by The New York State Council on The Arts, a state agency.

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