Bold New Production Of "Rent" On Stage At Bucks County Playhouse

NEW HOPE, PA — The Bucks County Playhouse is marking the 30th anniversary of Jonathan Larson's iconic rock musical "Rent" with a bold new production that honors the landmark musical's legacy while inviting a new generation to experience its timeless story of love, friendship and community.

Directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award nominee Jennifer Weber (Broadway's "& Juliet," "KPOP"), "Rent" runs through September 13.

Rather than recreating the original production, Weber brings a highly physical approach to “Rent,” using movement to illuminate the relationships, emotions and sense of community at the heart of Jonathan Larson’s musical.

“I want audiences to reconnect with ‘Rent’ in a way that feels present,” Weber said. “I want people to hear the music differently because of what they see on stage.”

(Photo by Joan Marcus)

(Photo by Joan Marcus)

(Photo by Joan Marcus)

(Photo by Joan Marcus)

Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Rent” follows a close-knit group of artists navigating friendship, love and loss in New York City’s East Village. The landmark score includes “Seasons of Love,” “La Vie Bohème,” “Take Me or Leave Me” and “I’ll Cover You.”

Leading the cast are Austin Turner (“Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre) as Roger Davis, Sam Primack (Broadway’s “Dear Evan Hansen”) as Mark Cohen, Alysia Velez (Broadway’s “Into the Woods”) as Mimi Marquez, Owen Scales (“Frozen” at Fulton Theatre) as Tom Collins, David Merino (Broadway’s “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club”) as Angel Schunard, Veronica Otim (Broadway’s “& Juliet”) as Joanne Jefferson, Tiernan Tunnicliffe (Broadway’s “& Juliet”) as Maureen Johnson and Kevin Trinio Perdido (Broadway’s “Once Upon a One More Time”) as Benjamin Coffin III.

“Rent” runs through September 13 at Bucks County Playhouse. Tickets and information are available at BucksCountyPlayhouse.org or by calling the Box Office at (215) 862-2121.

(Photo by Joan Marcus)