UNM’s Department of Theatre and Dance presents Jonathan Larson’s rock musical “Rent” in Rodey Theatre through Sunday, Dec. 6, with a special performance on World AIDS Day, Tuesday, Dec. 1. Loosely based on Puccini’s opera “La Bohème,” it tells the story of eight friends in New York’s East Village who struggle with committing to art and to each other while living in the shadow of AIDS.
“‘Rent’ is the defining musical for this generation of students, in the same way ‘Hair’ was for their parents’ generation. It is a great vehicle for our students, and when I learned it was closing on Broadway, I began checking on the possibility of presenting it at UNM. We jumped as soon as the rights became available,” said Kathleen Clawson, director of musical theatre at UNM. “We are thrilled, as our holiday show, to offer to our local community a musical that celebrates love, diversity and the power of friendship.”
The cast has taken the show beyond the stage, video-blogging rehearsals at youtube.com/jwalkowi and busking to collect donations for New Mexico AIDS Emergency Project and Project Share.
The cast features students Leonard Hughes as Mark, Nate Warren as Roger, Amanda Machon as Mimi, Gilbert Sanchez as Tom Collins, Daniel Garcia as Angel, Rachael Shapiro as Maureen, Jessica Fisher as Joanne, and John Byrom as Benny. The ensemble cast includes Michael Ray Carter, Jonte Culpepper, Kir Kipness, Fernando Larranaga, Nikki Larsen, Amanda Morales, Jonathan Ragsdale and Jenny Walkowiak.
Clawson directs, Paul Roth is music director and Wendy Leverenz-Barker choreographs the production. The scenic design is by Associate Professor Gordon Kennedy, with lighting design by Aviana Meck and costume design by students Kelly Mims and Laura Lundin.
Remaining performances at Rodey Theatre, UNM Center for the Arts are on Nov. 27, 28, Dec. 1, 3, 4 and 5 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 at 2 p.m.
The show is intended for mature audiences. Tickets are $20 general, $15 seniors or $10 students and are available at UNM Ticket Offices at the UNM Bookstore, (505) 925-5858 or unmtickets.com.
Posted by sari at November 23, 2009 12:52 PM