Preview of 'Rent' by Landmark Community Theatre

Press release

THOMASTON – Landmark Community Theatre begins the 2025 season with the groundbreaking Broadway musical “RENT” with a total of 8 performances beginning Saturday, March 15th and closing Sunday, March 30th. Performances on Friday and Saturday evenings will begin at 8 pm, with Sunday matinees beginning at 2 pm.

Set in New York City's East Village, RENT follows a year in the lives of seven young artists and friends as they pursue their dreams, find love, and celebrate life against all odds. Mark Cohen (Justin Torres), an aspiring filmmaker, narrates the story of his roommate Roger Davis (Dylan Ryan), a musician who falls in love with exotic dancer Mimi Marquez (Destiny Whitten). Their friend Tom Collins (Steffon Sampson) finds love with Angel Dumott-Schunard (Pedro Figueroa), a street drummer living with AIDS. Meanwhile, performance artist Maureen Johnson (Erica Blasko) battles with her lawyer girlfriend Joanne Jefferson (Chelsea Pollard), and former friend Benjamin Coffin III (Jason Winter) becomes their landlord and adversary. Through their struggles with love, loss, and artistry, these characters learn to measure their lives in love, embracing "no day but today."

Making her directorial debut, Amy Taylor—recently known for her standout performance on RuPaul's Drag Race Season 15—brings her unique artistic vision to this beloved musical. Joining her is choreographer Liam Dempsey and stage manager Morgan Griffin, both graduates of Landmark’s teen program. Longtime Connecticut community theatre musical director, Beckie Wallace, rounds out this vibrant production team.

The production boasts an impressive ensemble of local talent, including Tyler Bard, Amanda Benecchi, Adrien Braun, Lindsay Coxhead, Jeremy Demers, Maya Garofalo, Jozsef Herczeg, Lisa LaPlante, Jai’Shonda Lewis, Katie Locascio, Taryn McWilliams, Christine Mitchell-Robinson, Rebecca Reimold, Gabriela Reyes, Rebecca Spalvieri, and Chelsea Winborne.

Patrons attending this production will be among the first to see the newly restored ceiling and coffers of the Thomaston Opera House. These repairs, which began in June 2024, have kept the facility closed for over nine months. The newly restored ceiling is a sight that has not been seen in its entirety since the early 1900s, when the theatre was only a few decades old. Since then, there have been many incidents such as ceiling leaks, construction mishaps, and general modifications that have concealed or damaged the original conditions. The restoration included surface studies to match paints and textures, plaster repair, and removal of layers of paint and grime to bring it back to original conditions.

Rent is the first of five Landmark Community Theatre productions included in its Mainstage Theatrical Season. Other productions in 2025 include, “Our Town”, “Shrek the Musical”, “Fiddler on the Roof” and “Miracle on 34th Street”. Also included in 2025 is a new tribute band concert series, youth education programs and the Summer Teen Drama Club production and several other one night attractions.

RENT is performing March 15, 21, 22, 28, 29 at 8 p.m. and March 16, 23, 30 at 2 p.m. Not suitable for younger audiences. For more information on tickets and group sales, contact the Box Office 860-283-6250 or purchase tickets online: www.LandmarkCommunityTheatre.o...