Rent (London)
RENT with book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, original West End production previewed April 21st 1998, opened on May 12th 1998 and closed on October 30th 1999 at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London largely utilizing the same team as its Broadway production.
Produced by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon, in association with Duncan C. Weldon
Directed by Michael Greif; Choreography by Marlies Yearby; Musical Direction by Dave Adams; Sets by Paul S. Clay; Costumes by Angela Wendt; Lighting by Blake Burba; Sound by Steve Canyon Kennedy & Jon Weston.
The original West End cast included Anthony Rapp (Mark Cohen), Adam Pascal (Roger Davis), Krysten Cummings (Mimi Marquez), Jesse L. Martin (Tom Collins), Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Angel Schunard), Jacqui Dubois (Joanne Jefferson), Jessica Terzier (Maureen Johnson), Bonny Lockhart (Benjamin Coffin III), Rachel McFarlane (SOLoist #1), Mykal Rand (SOLoist #2), Angela Bradley (Mark’s Mom, et al), Claire Coates (Alexi Darling, et al), Leon-Maurice Jones (Paul, et al), Josh Cohen (Gordon, et al) and Robert J. Solomon (Steve, et al)
Swings/Alternates: Claudia Cadette, Hannah-Jane Fox, Peter Eldridge, Nolan Frederick and Richard Roe
Understudies: Josh Cohen (Mark Cohen & Roger Davis), Peter Eldridge (Roger Davis), Claudia Cadette (Mimi Marquez & Joanne Jefferson), Claire Coates (Mimi Marquez & Joanne Jefferson), Nolan Frederick (Tom Collins & Steve, et al), Mykal Rand (Tom Collins), Wayne Perrey (Angel Schunard & Benjamin Coffin III & Steve, et al), Richard Roe (Angel Schunard), Angela Bradley (Maureen Johnson), Hannah-Jane Fox (Maureen Johnson) and Leon-Maurice Jones (Benjamin Coffin III)
Associate Sound Design by Bobby Aitken; Musical Arrangements by Steve Skinner; Original Concept/Additional Lyrics by Billy Aronson; Musical Supervision and additional Arrangements by Tim Weil; Marketing Director: Laura Matalon; Online Marketing by Toby Simkin; Advertising by McCabes; Casting by Pippa Ailion, Bernard Telsey Casting.
Company Managed by Philip Gault; Stage Managed by Jane Semark; Deputy Stage Managed by Kerry McDevitt; Assistant Stage Managers Tom Polo and Al Cooper.
Conductor / Keyboards: Nick Finlow; Keyboards/Guitar: Tim Maple; Bass: Phil Laughlin; Guitar: Ant Glynne and Drum Kit & Percussion: Kev Campbell.
The show won rave reviews and scooped three Olivier Award nominations, and proved to be the Shaftesbury Theatre’s biggest hit, grossing £262,000 for the theatre in just one week.
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.
“the musical will haunt me beautifully”.
NICHOLAS DE JONGH of THE EVENING STANDARD
“will appeal to anyone who treasures freshness and spontaneity”
MICHAEL COVENEY of THE DAILY MAIL
“The production is performed with real heart and vitality by an exceptionally accomplished cast”
CHARLES SPENCER of THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
“Rent undeniably has musical talent and energy”
MICHAEL BILLINGTON of THE GUARDIAN
“If you go determined to succumb to the cast and their all American heart, you’ll love it.”
DAVID BENEDICT of THE INDEPENDENT