- By Simrat Applebaum
- Entertainment
Print 
July 27, 2009 - (ITHACA, NY) The Hangar Theatre is one of the first regional theatres in the country this year to get the rights to produce the Broadway bohemian rock musical Rent. This much-loved musical comes to the Hangar stage on the heels of one of the longest runs in Broadway history, and will close the Hangar Theatre's 2009 season, performing August 6 through 22.Rent is the story of a community of young artists struggling to make their mark in New York's rapidly changing East Village of the 1990s. This life-affirming musical celebrates solidarity and love in the most desperate of circumstances.
"That we are among the first to be offered this rare opportunity is truly exciting," says Artistic Director Peter Flynn. "We are thrilled to offer our local community Rent, a musical that celebrates love, diversity and the power of friendship."
This contemporary rock opera, written and composed by Jonathan Larson, is based on the classic Puccini opera La Boheme. The original Broadway production earned a Tony Award for Best Musical and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The exuberant rock score remains among the most musically beloved in recent Broadway history ("Light My Candle," "You'll See," "La Vie Boheme B," "Goodbye Love" and the show's signature "Seasons of Love").
Lortel Award-winner Devanand Janki directs and choreographs the production. Janki's previous credits include the off-Broadway hit Zanna, Don't! (Winner Lortel, Callaway & GLAAD Awards), the Grammy-nominated concert of Hair featuring Jennifer Hudson, and the 20th Anniversary production of Dreamgirls.
Music Director Mark Fifer, from New York City, and leads the band including guitarist Dillon Kondor, percussionist Greg Evans, and bassist Daniel Timmons.
The cast includes actors from New York City and members of our own diverse Ithaca community. Eric Jordan Young, as Tom Collins, returns to the Hangar stage, where he debuted the award-winning, one-man show Sammy & Me in 2006. Also returning to the Hangar stage is Jonathan Burke as Angel, having previously performed in Hair, The Wiz, Hello, Dolly! and Oklahoma!
Adam Hose performs the role of Mark, Anisha Nagarajan as Mimi, Maria-Christina Oliveras as Joanne, and Nik Walker as Benny/Tom Collins understudy. Ithaca College alum Jared Zirilli and Cat Stephanie are thrilled to debut at the Hangar as Roger and Maureen.
The ensemble cast includes Danielle Brooks, Jason St. Little, Jevon McFerrin, Kyra Lorraine Selman, Ryan Garcia, and several members of the Ithaca community including Melanie Beck, Helen T. Clark, Tyler Crosby, Asia Dillon, Annali Fuchs, Ty J. Hallett, Joshua Hatcher, Katie Lane, Stephanie Masline, Jon-Michael Miller, Housso Carol Andree Semon, and Elias Spector-Zabusky.
Just as Rent was a groundbreaking musical of its time, the Hangar Theatre's stage will literally break ground, envisioned by set designer Jo Winiarski. Because Rent is the last production in the facility before a significant capital renovation, Winiarski has made bold design decisions, transforming the space into the gritty lower east side of the ‘90s.
Lighting designer Matthew Richards returns for his fifteenth season at the Hangar this year and costume designer Jennifer Caprio is back for her ninth season at the Hangar, having recently designed costumes for The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Broadway and Oklahoma!, Bleeding Kansas, Doubt, and this year's November at the Hangar Theatre. Sound Designer Don Tindall recently designed the Hangar's productions of Oklahoma!, Hair, Bloodline, and this years Once On This Island. Assistant director/choreographer Robert Tatad has previously assistant directed the Broadway shows Rock of Ages and La Cage Aux Folles.
Rent will appear at the Hangar Theatre on Route 89, Ithaca, at the Treman Marina entrance of Cass Park from August 6 through 22. The production is made possible with the support of sponsors Tompkins Trust Company, Hits 103.3, I-100 The Classic Rock Station and Lite Rock 97.3.
Rent Performance dates:
Thursday, August 6 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, August 7 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 8 - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 8 - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 9 - 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 11 - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 12 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 13 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, August 14 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 15 - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 15 - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 16 - 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, August 16 - 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, August 18 - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, August 19 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, August 20 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, August 21 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 22 - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 22 - 8:00 p.m.
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