Rent (Broadway)

RENT with book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson opened at the Nederlander Theatre on Broadway on April 29, 1996 running for 5,123 performances (plus 16 previews until September 7, 2008), loosely based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera “La Bohème”, grossing USD $274,248,128.00 in ticket sales.

Produced by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon and New York Theatre Workshop.

Directed by Michael Greif; Choreographed by Marlies Yearby; Scenic Design by Paul Clay; Costume Design by Angela Wendt; Lighting Design by Blake Burba; Sound Design by Kurt Fischer; Wig, Hair and Make-Up Designer: David Santana.

Music arranged by Steve Skinner; Additional arrangements by Tim Weil; Additional lyrics for “Santa Fe” and “La Vie Boheme/I Should Tell You” by Billy Aronson; Original concept: Billy Aronson.

Starring Gilles Chiasson (Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others), Taye Diggs (Benjamin Coffin III), Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Angel Schunard), Rodney Hicks (Paul, a cop, and others), Kristen Lee Kelly (Mark’s mom, and others Apr 16, 1996 – Dec 28, 1997), Jesse L. Martin (Tom Collins Apr 16, 1996 – Jul 13, 1997), Idina Menzel (Maureen Johnson Apr 16, 1996 – Jul 01, 1997), Aiko Nakasone (Alexi Darling, Roger’s mom, and others), Timothy Britten Parker (Gordon, the man, Mr. Grey, and others), Adam Pascal (Roger Davis Apr 16, 1996 – Nov 02, 1997), Anthony Rapp (Mark Cohen), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Mimi Marquez), Gwen Stewart (Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others), Byron Utley (Christmas caroler, Mr. Jefferson, a pastor and others) and Fredi Walker (Joanne Jefferson Apr 16, 1996 – Nov 02, 1997)

Swings: Yassmin Alers, Darius de Haas, Shelley Dickinson, David Driver, Mark Setlock and Simone

Understudies: Yassmin Alers (Mimi Marquez, Maureen Johnson), Gilles Chiasson (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Darius de Haas (Tom Collins, Benjamin Coffin III, Angel Schunard), Shelley Dickinson (Joanne Jefferson), David Driver(Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Rodney Hicks (Benjamin Coffin III), Kristen Lee Kelly (Maureen Johnson), Mark Setlock (Angel Schunard), Simone (Joanne Jefferson, Mimi Marquez) and Byron Utley (Tom Collins).

Assistant Director: Martha Banta; Assistant Scenic Design: Ben Bush; Assistant Costume Design: Rafi Mercado, and Lisa Zinni; Assistant Lighting Design: Noele Stollmack; Assistant Sound Design: Jodi Cramer

General Manager: Emanuel Azenberg, and John S. Corker; Technical Supervisor: Unitech Productions,Inc.; Production Stage Manager: John Vivian; Stage Manager: Crystal Huntington; Assistant Stage Manager: Justin Scribner; Film by Tony Gerber

Press Representative: Richard Kornberg, Don Summa, Ian Rand, and Rick Miramontez; Casting: Bernard Telsey Casting,Inc.; Dramaturg: Lynn M. Thomson; Production Coordinator: Susan White; Online Marketing: Toby Simkin / BuyBroadway Inc.; Advertising: Serino Coyne,Inc.; Photographer: Joan Marcus

Musical Supervisor: Tim Weil; Conducted by Tim Weil; Associate Conductor: Daniel A. Weiss; Keyboards: Tim Weil; Bass: Steve Mack; Guitar: Kenny Brescia; Drums: Jeffrey Potter; Piano/Synthesizer/Organ, Electric & acoustic Guitar: Daniel A. Weiss; Music Preparation: Eva Gianono

Replacements over it’s 12 years on Broadway

Cast Replacements: Karmine Alers (Mimi Marquez), Christian Anderson (Mark Cohen), Mayumi Ando (Alexi Darling, Roger’s mom, and others), Sebastian Arcelus (Roger Davis), Natalie Venetia Belcon (Joanne Jefferson), Maggie Benjamin (Maureen Johnson, Mark’s mom, and others), Declan Bennett (Roger Davis from Oct 08, 2007), Carla Bianco (Maureen Johnson), Richard H. Blake (Roger Davis), Jessica Boevers (Maureen Johnson, Mark’s mom, and others), Rufus Bonds,Jr. (Tom Collins), Melanie Janine Brown (Mimi Marquez Apr 19, 2004 – May 31, 2004), Mario Burrell (Christmas caroler, Mr. Jefferson, a pastor and others), Haven Burton (Mark’s mom, and others), Norbert Leo Butz (Roger Davis from Nov 04, 1997, Roger Davis Jun 29, 2000 – Aug 06, 2000), Matt Caplan (Mark Cohen until Aug 06, 2006), Jodi Carmeli (Mark’s mom, and others), T.V. Carpio (Ensemble), Will Chase (Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others, Roger Davis Dec 26, 2005 – Jan 29, 2006, Roger Davis May 2008 – Sep 07, 2008), Luther Creek(Roger Davis, Ensemble, Gordon, the man, Mr. Grey, and others), Wilson Cruz (Angel Schunard), Krysten Cummings(Mimi Marquez), Merle Dandridge (Joanne Jefferson), Frenchie Davis (Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others from May 16, 2003, Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others from Jun 01, 2004), Maya Days (Mimi Marquez), Aisha de Haas (Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others), Robin De Jesús (Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others), Shelley Dickinson (Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others), Tonya Dixon (Joanne Jefferson), D’Monroe(Benjamin Coffin III), Shaun Earl (Angel Schunard, Ensemble, Paul, a cop, and others), Amy Ehrlich (Mark’s mom, and others), Trey Ellett (Mark Cohen), Eden Espinosa (Maureen Johnson May 30, 2008 – Sep 07, 2008), Cristina Fadale (Maureen Johnson), Joey Fatone (Mark Cohen Aug 05, 2002 – Dec 22, 2002), Mark Richard Ford (Tom Collins), Ava Gaudet (Maureen Johnson), Robert Glean (Paul, a cop, and others), Renée Elise Goldsberry (Mimi Marquez Jun 16, 2008 – Sep 07, 2008), Andrea Goss (Alexi Darling, Roger’s mom, and others until Sep 07, 2008), Tamyra Gray (Mimi Marquez May 29, 2007 – Nov 25, 2007, Mimi Marquez to Jun 15, 2008), Danielle Lee Greaves (Joanne Jefferson), Christopher J. Hanke (Mark Cohen from Aug 07, 2006, Colin Hanlon (Gordon, the man, Mr. Grey, and others), Marcy Harriell (Mimi Marquez), Nicolette Hart (Maureen Johnson), Rodney Hicks (Benjamin Coffin III Sep 13, 2007 – Sep 07, 2008), Troy Horne (Tom Collins), Tim Howar (Roger Davis Jan 30, 2006 – Jul 29, 2006), Scott Hunt(Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others), Sala Iwamatsu (Alexi Darling, Roger’s mom, and others), Mark Leroy Jackson (Tom Collins), Marcus Paul James (Christmas caroler, Mr. Jefferson, a pastor and others), Stu James(Benjamin Coffin III), Harley Jay (Mark Cohen from Oct 08, 2007), Trisha Jeffrey (Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others), Justin Johnston (Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others, Angel Schunard to Sep 07, 2008), Owen Johnston II (Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others), Catrice Joseph (Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others), Adam Kantor (Mark Cohen Mar 24, 2008 – Sep 07, 2008), Kelly Karbacz (Maureen Johnson), Kristen Lee Kelly (Maureen Johnson Dec 30, 1997 – Sep 1998, Mark’s mom, and others), Jamie Lee Kirchner (Mimi Marquez), Joshua Kobak (Roger Davis ? – Dec 2005), Jeremy Kushnier (Roger Davis from Nov 17, 2003), Drew Lachey (Mark Cohen Sep 10, 2004 – Mar 11, 2005), Tracey Langran (Mark’s mom, and others), Anika Larsen (Ensemble from Jul 05, 2000), Alia León (Joanne Jefferson), Telly Leung (Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others Nov 20, 2006 – ?), Nicole Lewis (Joanne Jefferson), Ryan Link (Roger Davis Sep 08, 2003 – Nov 10, 2003, Roger Davis Jan 04, 2004 – Feb 01, 2004), Jose Llana (Angel Schunard), Caren Lyn Manuel (Mark’s mom, and others), Tracy McDowell (Mark’s mom, and others), Michael McElroy (Tom Collins Jul 1997 – Sep 1999), Alan Mingo Jr. (Tom Collins), Matthew Murphy (Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others), Leslie Odom,Jr. (Paul, a cop, and others), Darryl Ordell (Paul, a cop, and others), Tina Ou (Alexi Darling, Roger’s mom, and others), Destan Owens (Christmas caroler, Mr. Jefferson, a pastor and others, Tom Collins, Tom Collins Aug 11, 2008 – Aug 17, 2008), Adam Pascal (Roger Davis Jul 30, 2007 – Oct 07, 2007), Todd E. Pettiford (Christmas caroler, Mr. Jefferson, a pastor and others), Tamara Podemski (Maureen Johnson), Manley Pope (Roger Davis), Jim Poulos (Mark Cohen, Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others), Kenna J. Ramsey (Joanne Jefferson), Anthony Rapp (Mark Cohen Jul 30, 2007 – Oct 07, 2007), Chad Richardson(Gordon, the man, Mr. Grey, and others), Enrico Rodriguez (Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others), Jai Rodriguez (Angel Schunard, Angel Schunard Jul 05, 2004 – Jul 17, 2004, Angel Schunard Aug 02, 2004 – Aug 14, 2004), Nick Sanchez (Paul, a cop, and others), Sherie Scott (Maureen Johnson from Jul 1997), Andy Señor (Angel Schunard, Steve, man with squeegee, a waiter, and others), Mark Setlock (Gordon, the man, Mr. Grey, and others), Cary Shields (Roger Davis), Antonique Smith (Mimi Marquez), Jacques C. Smith (Benjamin Coffin III), Peter Matthew Smith (Gordon, the man, Mr. Grey, and others), Gwen Stewart (Joanne Jefferson from Nov 04, 1997, Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others from Nov 15, 2003, Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others Apr 29, 2007 – May 27, 2007, Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others Jul 21, 2008 – Sep 07, 2008), Yuka Takara (Alexi Darling, Roger’s mom, and others), Carly Thomas (Mark’s mom, and others), Tracie Thoms (Joanne Jefferson Jul 26, 2008 – Sep 07, 2008), Kim Varhola (Alexi Darling, Roger’s mom, and others), Loraine Velez (Mimi Marquez), Tony Vincent (Mark Cohen), Krystal L. Washington (Mimi Marquez from May 16, 2003), Myiia Watson-Davis (Joanne Jefferson), Jay Wilkison (Gordon, the man, Mr. Grey, and others to Sep 07, 2008), Schele Williams (Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others from Jan 03, 1999), Maia Nkenge Wilson (Mrs. Jefferson, woman with bags, and others / Joanne Jefferson)

Replacement Swings: Karmine Alers, Sebastian Arcelus, Dean Armstrong, Dean Balkwill, Richard H. Blake, Justin Brill, Hallie Bulleit, Mario Burrell, Matt Caplan, Julie Danao, Dana Dawson, Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Calvin Grant, Scott Hunt, Trisha Jeffrey, Owen Johnston II, Catrice Joseph, Diana Kaarina, Kendra Kassebaum, Joshua Kobak, Tracey Langran, Sharon Leal, Philip Dorian McAdoo, Moeisha McGill, Crystal Monee Hall, Matthew Murphy, Karen Olivo, Destan Owens, John Eric Parker, Todd E. Pettiford, Kyle Post, Danny Rockett, Jai Rodriguez, Dominique Roy, Antonique Smith, Peter Matthew Smith, Shayna Steele, Tony Vincent, Robin S. Walker, Jay Wilkison, and Haneefah Wood

Replacement Standby: Matt Caplan (Mark Cohen) and Harley Jay (Mark Cohen)

Replacement Understudies: Karmine Alers (Mimi Marquez, Maureen Johnson), Sebastian Arcelus (Mark Cohen, Roger Davis), Dean Balkwill (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Richard H. Blake (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Justin Brill(Mark Cohen, Roger Davis), Hallie Bulleit (Maureen Johnson), Mario Burrell (Tom Collins), Haven Burton(Maureen Johnson), Norbert Leo Butz (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Will Chase (Mark Cohen, Roger Davis), Luther Creek (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Frenchie Davis (Joanne Jefferson), Dana Dawson (Joanne Jefferson, Mimi Marquez), Aisha de Haas (Joanne Jefferson), Robin De Jesús (Angel Schunard), Shaun Earl (Angel Schunard), Amy Ehrlich (Maureen Johnson), Ava Gaudet (Mimi Marquez), Juan Carlos Gonzalez (Angel Schunard), Calvin Grant(Tom Collins, Benjamin Coffin III), Colin Hanlon (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Scott Hunt (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Marcus Paul James (Tom Collins, Benjamin Coffin III), Trisha Jeffrey (Joanne Jefferson, Mimi Marquez), Justin Johnston (Angel Schunard), Owen Johnston II (Roger Davis, Angel Schunard), Catrice Joseph(Joanne Jefferson), Diana Kaarina (Maureen Johnson), Joshua Kobak (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Tracey Langran(Maureen Johnson), Telly Leung (Angel Schunard), Caren Lyn Manuel (Maureen Johnson, Mimi Marquez), Kamilah Martin (Joanne Jefferson), Philip Dorian McAdoo (Tom Collins, Benjamin Coffin III), Tracy McDowell (Maureen Johnson), Moeisha McGill (Joanne Jefferson, Mimi Marquez), Crystal Monee Hall (Joanne Jefferson), Matthew Murphy (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Karen Olivo (Mimi Marquez, Maureen Johnson), Darryl Ordell (Benjamin Coffin III), Destan Owens (Tom Collins, Benjamin Coffin III), John Eric Parker (Tom Collins, Benjamin Coffin III), Todd E. Pettiford (Tom Collins, Benjamin Coffin III), Kyle Post (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Jim Poulos (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Chad Richardson (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen), Enrico Rodriguez (Angel Schunard), Jai Rodriguez (Angel Schunard), Dominique Roy (Mimi Marquez), Nick Sanchez (Angel Schunard), Andy Señor (Angel Schunard), Cary Shields (Roger Davis), Antonique Smith (Mimi Marquez, Maureen Johnson), Peter Matthew Smith(Mark Cohen, Roger Davis), Shayna Steele (Mimi Marquez, Joanne Jefferson), Gwen Stewart (Joanne Jefferson), Tony Vincent (Mark Cohen, Roger Davis), Jay Wilkison (Roger Davis, Mark Cohen) and Maia Nkenge Wilson (Joanne Jefferson)

Other Replacements: Musical Director: Boko Suzuki, David Truskinoff, and Henry Aronson (Resident Assistant Director: Evan Ensign (Company Manager: Brig Berney, Nick Kaledin, and Andrew Jones; Assistant Company Manager: Nick Lugo (circa. Jan 2003 – circa. Jul 2003) Assistant Stage Manager: Kenneth McGee, Antonia Gianino, Ryan J. Bell, and Gay Merwin (Guitar: Bobby Baxmeyer; Piano/Synthesizer/Organ, Electric & acoustic Guitar: John Korba; Keyboards: Boko Suzuki, and David Truskinoff; Conducted by Boko Suzuki, and David Truskinoff; Associate Conductor: John Korba;Dance Captain: Yassmin Alers, Richard H. Blake, and Owen Johnston II; Photographer: Carol Rosegg; Press Representative: Jim Byk, Tom D’Ambrosio, and Carrie Friedman; Marketing: Allied Live and Advertising: SPOTCo,Inc.

As Founder and CEO of Theatre.com and BuyBroadway.com. The pioneer in moving the Broadway industry onto the internet. The theatre press branded me as “Toby is the man pushing theatre, kicking and screaming, into cyberspace.” What started in 1989 as a Broadway industry service called ShowCall via dialup BBS for members of the League of American Theatre Producers evolved onto the world wide web in the early 90’s, and shortly after this, the vast majority of Broadway shows (starting with my production of Victor/Victoria) and theatrical organizations followed. The “Super site of Broadway” became a publicly traded company, prior to my re-branding it as Theatre.com at the Minskoff Theatre.

Described by Variety Magazine as a “marketing powerhouse“, it was the single largest theatre community in the world with over 180,000 active members (in the 1990’s this was massive). From buying official Broadway tickets and souvenirs, providing detailed global show listings, interactive show study & educational guides, live streaming shows and events (including many Opening Nights live broadcasts), industry news from major theatre journalists, pictures and videos, games, messaging directly to Broadway cast’s backstage or even licensing a musical, theatre.com offered it all in a single, easy-to-use interface to theatregoers globally.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, friends in Manhattan’s East Village struggle to build the lives of their dreams. Pennilessness, drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, social tension, and political unrest, among other hardships, challenge the group physically and emotionally. Facing the problems head on, they make personal self-discoveries and find what really matters most in life.

RENT
Broadway

Musical Numbers

Act One:

“Tune Up” and “Voice Mail # 1” (Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Kristen Lee Kelly, Jesse L. Martin, Taye Diggs); “Rent” (Company); “You Okay Honey?” (Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Jesse L. Martin); “One Song Glory” (Adam Pascal); “Light My Candle” (Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega); “Voice Mail # 2” (Byron Utley, Fredi Walker); “Today 4 U” (Wilson Jermaine Heredia); “You’ll See” (Taye Diggs, Anthony Rapp, Jesse L. Martin, Adam Pascal, Wilson Jermaine Heredia); “Tango: Maureen” (Anthony Rapp, Fredi Walker); “Life Support” (Rodney Hicks, Timothy Britten Parker, Company); “Out Tonight” (Daphne Rubin-Vega); “Another Day” (Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Company); “Will I?” (Company); “On the Street” (Company); “Santa Fe” (additional lyric by Billy Aronson) (Jesse L. Martin, Company); “We’re Okay” (Fredi Walker); “I’ll Cover You” (Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Jesse L. Martin); “Christmas Bells” (Company); “Over the Moon” (Idina Menzel); “La Vie Boheme” and “I Should Tell You” (additional lyric for latter song by Billy Aronson) (Company)

Act Two:

“Seasons of Love” (Company); “Happy New Year” and “Voice Mail # 3” (Daphne Rubin-Vega, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel, Fredi Walker, Jesse L. Martin, Wilson Jermaine Heredia, Kristen Lee Kelly, Aiko Nakasone, Taye Diggs); “Take Me or Leave Me” (Idina Menzel, Fredi Walker); “Without You” (Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega); “Voice Mail # 4” (Aiko Nakasone); “Contact” (Company); “I’ll Cover You” (reprise) (Jesse L. Martin, Company); “Halloween” (Anthony Rapp); “Goodbye, Love” (Anthony Rapp, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Adam Pascal, Idina Menzel, Fredi Walker, Jesse L. Martin, Taye Diggs); “What You Own” (Byron Utley, Anthony Rapp, Jesse L. Martin, Taye Diggs, Adam Pascal); “Voice Mail # 5” (Aiko Nakasone, Unnamed Performer [as Mrs. Marquez], Byron Utley, Kristen Lee Kelly); “Finale” and “Your Eyes” (Adam Pascal, Company)

Jonathan Larson’s RENT had many and various global touring productions largely utilizing the same team as the Broadway production. For example, in the North America alone initially the Angel tour (Nov 05, 1996 – Sep 05, 1999), supplemented with the Benny tour (Sep 16, 1997 – Jul 15, 2001), and followed by the Mark tour (Jan 06, 2009 – Feb 07, 2010).

Directed by Michael Greif with choreography by Marlies Yearby, sets by Paul S Clay, costumes by Angele Wendt, lighting by Blake Burba and sound by Steve Canyon Kennedy and Jon Weston.

RENT also went onto London’s West End for sit down engagement, and played in Spanish in Cuba.