A stellar cast was announced today for the new Australian tour of the multi-Tony Award winning rock musical by Jonathan Larson, RENT. Tickets go on pre-sale today in Perth, Canberra and Newcastle, with general public tickets on sale from Thursday 2 November. Tickets for Brisbane and Melbourne seasons are already on sale.
RENT will play at the Playhouse, QPAC, Brisbane from 27 January 2024, then State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne from 17 February, Newcastle’s Civic Theatre from 15 March, His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth from 11 May, and Canberra Theatre from 6 June. Head to rentmusical.au for tickets.
Director Shaun Rennie, musical director Andrew Worboys and choreographer Luca Dinardo have assembled some of Australia’s finest singer/actors for an all-new production of this iconic musical. Noah Mullins (West Side Story) plays the role of Mark, a struggling documentary filmmaker and best friend of Roger, an HIV-positive musician recovering from heroin addiction, played by Jerrod Smith (The Lovers). Martha Berhane (Hamilton) is Mimi, a reckless and passionate exotic dancer who lives only for today. The Voice 2023 finalist Calista Nelmes (Jersey Boys NZ) plays spirited performance artist Maureen, Mark’s ex-girlfriend and current girlfriend of Joanne, a tough, headstrong Harvard-educated lawyer played by Australia’s First Lady of Soul and R&B, and The Voice 2022 Grand Finalist, THNDO (Dreamgirls).
Philosophy teacher Collins, father-figure, friend and former roommate of Roger, Mark, and Maureen, is played by Nick Afoa (Miss Saigon), with Carl De Villa (Kinky Boots) in the role of Angel, an HIV-positive drag artist with a passion for life in the face of inevitable adversity. Benny, played by Tana Laga’aia (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), is the former friend and current landlord of Mark, Roger, and Mimi.
Completing the cast are Anna Francesca Armenia, Kelsi Boyden (also Resident Director), Mariah Gonzalez, Sam Harmon, Lawrence Hawkins, Josslynn Hlenti (Joanne Alternate), Hannah McInerney, Sam Richardson, Chad Rosete and Theodore Williams.
Step onto the vibrant streets of New York City’s East Village, where dreams are born, friendships are tested, and the power of love prevails. Featuring the iconic songs “Seasons of Love”, ”Take Me or Leave Me”, and “La Vie Bohème”, this groundbreaking sensation is more than a musical; it’s a celebration of life, love, and the human spirit.
“For over 25 years RENT has spoken to each new generation of young people, fighting to be heard and seen,” said director Shaun Rennie. “Its timeless message of celebrating life in the face of death remains as relevant today as it did 28 years ago when it first took the world by storm. I am honoured and excited to be directing this national tour of RENT with an incredible cast and creative team. Viva La vie Boheme!”
Jonathan Larson’s RENT opened Off-Broadway in 1996 and quickly became a global phenomenon. The show earned Larson multiple Tony Awards along with a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, a distinction not received again by a music theatre work until 14 years later. Though Larson himself never saw the impact of his masterwork – he died suddenly in the early hours of the day the show opened to the public – its longevity serves as a testament to the emotional resonance of his creation and an embodiment of its ever-present message “no day but today”.
Don’t miss the chance to discover the show that took Broadway by storm. Head to rentmusical.au to buy tickets today and experience the phenomenon.
@RENTMusicalAU
#RENTMusicalAU
RENT
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia)
Director Shaun Rennie
Associate Director Leah Howard
Musical Director Andrew Worboys
Choreographer Luca Dinardo
Lighting Designer Paul Jackson
Sound Designer Evan Drill
Set Designer Dann Barber
Costume Designer Ella Butler
BRISBANE SEASON DETAILS
Venue Playhouse, QPAC
Season 27 January – 4 February
Performance Times Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm and 6pm
Prices From $56 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings qpac.com.au or phone 136 246
Groups 10+ call (07) 3840 7466
MELBOURNE SEASON DETAILS
Venue State Theatre, Arts Centre Melbourne
Season 17 – 25 February
Performance Times Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm and 6pm
Prices From $59.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings artscentremelbourne.com.au or call 1300 182 183
Groups 10+ call 1300 182 183
NEWCASTLE SEASON DETAILS
Venue Civic Theatre, Newcastle
Season 15 – 17 March
Performance Times Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm and 6pm
Prices From $59 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings civictheatrenewcastle.com.au or (02) 4929 1977
PRESALES FROM 31 OCTOBER/ GP SALES FROM 2 NOVEMBER
PERTH SEASON DETAILS
Venue His Majesty’s Theatre
Season 11 – 19 May
Performance Times Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 1pm and 6pm
Prices From $69.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings artsculturetrust.wa.gov.au or (08) 6212 9292
PRESALES FROM 31 OCTOBER/ GP SALES FROM 2 NOVEMBER
CANBERRA SEASON DETAILS
Venue Canberra Theatre
Season 7 – 13 June
Performance Times Tues-Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 7.30pm, Sat 2pm, Sun 2pm
Prices From $59.90 (Transaction fees apply)
Bookings canberratheatrecentre.com.au or (02) 6275 2700
PRESALES FROM 31 OCTOBER/ GP SALES FROM 2 NOVEMBER
Photo credit: Wendell Teodoro
