Rent

Broadway in Chicago presents the national touring production of the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning Rent, featuring Heinz Winckler as Roger Davis and Anwar Robinson as Tom Collins, for a limited one-week engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre (151 W. Randolph St.) from February 12 - 17, 2008. 

Heinz Winckler was the winner of the first South African Idol in 2002 and the 4th place finalist in the 2003 inaugural World Idol competition, in which he competed against American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson. On stage, Winckler played Tony in the Toronto production of West Side Story.  He has also recorded three hit albums with Sony BMG, including: One Step Closer, Come Alive (both South African Music Award "SAMA" nominees for "best pop album") and Moment of Truth.  His song, "Once in a Lifetime," was a "SAMA" nominee for "best single."  He performed the song "Chasing Shadows" for the Walt Disney movie, Treasure Planet, and participated in the Westlife Greatest Hits Tour in South Africa.  Winckler has received the People Magazine Award for "Hottest Hunk," "South Africa's Hottest Artist" and "Best Male Personality." He was also featured in Cosmopolitan's "Sexy Man Calendar."

This production of Rent marks Anwar Robinson’s stage debut. American audiences will recall Robinson as the music teacher who was rocketed to television stardom on season four of the pop-culture phenomenon American Idol.  His vocal range quickly landed him a coveted spot in Idol’s Top 10, where Judge Paula Abdul touted him as “technically the best singer of the competition.” Robinson has toured the country as part of the Idols Live show. The New Jersey native has worked and appeared with a number of music icons, including Clive Davis, Patti Labelle, Kelly Price, Byron Cage and Pastor Donnie McClurkin. Robinson recently released his debut album, The Truth About Love.

Written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, Rent is more than a show, it’s a phenomenon.  This smash-hit theatrical experience transformed how a generation feels about musicals, changed Broadway forever, and inspired a major motion picture.  Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about being young and learning to survive, falling in love, finding your voice and living for today.  Rent has made a lasting mark on Broadway with songs that rock and a story that truly resonates.

Rent received its world premiere off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop on February 13, 1996 to ecstatic reviews.  It rapidly became a sold-out hit.  The show transferred to Broadway on April 29, 1996 where it continues to play at The Nederlander Theatre.  Rent is now the 7th longest running show in Broadway history. 

The success of Rent is always tempered by the death of its creator, Jonathan Larson.  Larson died unexpectedly of an aortic aneurysm on the morning of January 25, 1996, just hours after Rent’s final dress rehearsal off-Broadway, and ten days before his 36th birthday.

Rent is coming to Chicago for a limited one-week engagement at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from February 12 – 17, 2008. Individual tickets range in price from $22.50 - $70 and are available online at ticketmaster.com.