David Cromer directs ATC and About Face co-production of Rent
American Theater Company (ATC), together with About Face Theatre, presents a co-production of Jonathan Larson's Rent, directed by David Cromer. Rent will run April 27, 2012 - June 17, 2012 at ATC, 1909 W. Byron. The press openings are Sunday, May 6, 2012 and Monday, May 7, 2012 at 7 pm.
East Village. 1990. American Theater Company teams up with About Face Theatre to create a fresh look at Jonathan Larson's 1996 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning rock opera. At the end of the 1980's, a group of Bohemian artists struggle to find life, love and art in a brutal economy and the height of the AIDS crisis. Director David Cromer will bring a staggering reality to this landmark musical.
"The forces at work in Rent are just so exhilarating," says David Cromer. "What's richer than exploring that time in your life when you're freezing cold, and terrified, and in love, and completely broke and inspired, and besieged. And hopeful, and hopeless, and somehow strong enough to survive all (or most of) that?"
Rent features Alex Agard (Tom Collins), Karla Beard (Woman 2), Lili-Anne Brown (JoAnne Jefferson), Esteban Andres Cruz (Angel Dumott Schunard), Grace Gealy (Mimi Marquez), Aileen May (Maureen Johnson), Aaron Nelson (Man 4), Danielle Plisz (Woman 1), Tyler Ravelson (Man 2), Tony Santiago (Benjamin Coffin III), Alan Schmuckler (Mark Cohen), Steve Tomlitz (Man 3), Derrick Trumbly (Roger Davis), Anji White (Woman 3), and Luke Wygodny (Man1).
ATC Artistic Director PJ Paparelli and About Face Artistic Director Bonnie Metzger add, "The number one question of 2012: what is Cromer doing with Rent? He is simply embracing Larson's call to celebrate each moment of life: the exuberant and the debilitating. We're all looking at Rent moment to moment, and this production is the sum of those moments. I'm so glad About Face and ATC are together with Cromer on this journey right here in Chicago."
The creative team for Rent includes Tim Splain (Music Direction), Jessica Reddish (Choreography), Collette Pollard (Scenic & Props Design), David Hyman (Costume Design), Heather Gilbert (Lighting Design), Lindsay Jones and Victoria "Toy" Delorio (Sound Design). The Production Stage Manager is Katie Klemme.