From the Pulitzer Prize to the Tony sweep, from the critical accolades to the nightly ovations, Rent has become an American icon. You can experience the decade’s most exuberant and original American musical live when it comes to the WVU Creative Arts Center for two performances, April 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m.
Set in New York City’s East Village , Rent is an emotionally stirring story about of a community of young artists struggling to live and celebrate life. Transposing Puccini’s 100-year-old La Bohme into modern day Bohemia , Rent celebrates life among the young, sick and unconventional. Composer Jonathan Larson, who died at age 35 just days before his musical opened, managed to sculpt vivid characters and scenes that bring Avenue A as close as it will ever come to 42 nd Street .
Full of songs that are funny and catchy, inspiring and touching, smart and hip, Rent mixes showtune pop with elements of rock, R&B, dance, gospel and tango. From the resounding title track to the final reprise of”No Day But Today,”the score is electrifying.
After its opening in 1996, Rent won four Tony awards and a Pulitzer Prize, becoming only the fifth musical to ever win both awards. During that same year, the show received the New York Drama Critics Circle award, six Drama Desk awards, three Obie awards, the Outer Critics Circle award, and the Drama League award. In February 2004, Rent surpassed Fiddler on the Roof to become the 10 th longest-running show in Broadway history.
Rent has single-handedly reinvigorated Broadway and is taking the country by storm. Critics have called itthe best thing that has happened to the Broadway musical in a long timeanda thrilling musical performed with explosive talent.Rolling Stone magazine called ita raw and riveting milestone in musical theater.
Tickets are $35 and may be purchased at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices, online atticketmaster.comor at any Ticketmaster outlet (including Giant Eagle in the Mountaineer Mall) or by phone at 293-SHOW (7469) or 292-0220.
Rent , the final show in the 2005-2006 University Art Series, is produced by WVU Arts&Entertainment. For more event information, call 304-293-SHOW, or visit us online atevents.wvu.edu.