LIHU‘E — An evening production has been added to the Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre summer program highlighting the talents of the program’s alumni, states a press release. Sixteen actors and alumni will present the Tony-Award and Pulitzer-Prize-winning, full-stage version of the
LIHU‘E — An evening production has been added to the Hawai‘i Children’s Theatre summer program highlighting the talents of the program’s alumni, states a press release.
Sixteen actors and alumni will present the Tony-Award and Pulitzer-Prize-winning, full-stage version of the hit musical, “Rent” opening at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kaua‘i Alliance for the Performing Arts Warehouse Theatre in Puhi.
“Rent,” a rock opera by Jonathan Larson, is based loosely on Puccini’s opera, “La Boheme,” and tells the story of an impoverished troupe of young artists and musicians struggling to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and paying their “rent” under the shadow of AIDS.
Artistic Director Jennifer Downs and Musical Director Nina Saraos assembled an outstanding cast of actors for this premiere evening production.
Kameron Fort plays the role of Mark Cohen, a struggling documentary filmmaker and best friend of Roger Davis (Cheston Borges), an HIV-positive musician recovering from heroin addiction. Mimi Marquez (Elaine Guest), an HIV-positive exotic dancer also addicted to heroin is Roger’s love interest. Performance artist Maureen Johnson (Jorey Cantu) is Mark’s ex-girlfriend and current girlfriend of Joanne Jefferson (Natalie Capino), a tough, headstrong, Harvard-educated lawyer.
Remaining cast members include Thom Newman, Sam Alfiler, Christian Fort, Billy Quebibo, Burton Olivier, Dexter Olivier, Casia Koulbanis, Cathy Miner, Kendall Beck and Megan Ross. Mark Sicignano is the technical director and Kylie Wilson assists.
“Rent” was first seen in a sold-out, limited, three-week workshop run at the New York Theatre Workshop in 1994. The musical went on to win Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize for drama.
HCT is presenting the full, uncut version of “Rent” for three weekends, opening Thursday and running Thursdays through Sundays until Aug. 1. Curtain time is 7 p.m. at the KAPA Warehouse Theatre. Tickets are $25 at hawaiichildrenstheatre.com or $20 from cast members. Seating is limited and tickets are sold date-specific.
Recommended for mature audiences, “Rent” contains adult language and themes. HCT recommends PG 17.
