Posted: Monday, October 30, 2023

The University of Evansville Theatre announces the second installment of the 2023–2024 season with RENT, book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson.  This production opens at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10, in Shanklin Theatre.  Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m., on Nov. 11, 16, 17, 18 and at 2:00 p.m., on Nov. 19.  Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, an Obie Award, and the Tony Award for Best Musical in 1996, this iconic rock musical shaped a generation of audiences and is being performed for the first time in Shanklin Theatre.  Loosely based on Puccini’s La Boheme and set in New York’s Lower East Side, this fast-paced musical follows a year in the life of a group of destitute young artists struggling to survive and stay true to their creative ambitions, all under the daunting shadow of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  This exuberant American rock opera is a pop-cultural phenomenon not to be missed!

RENT is directed by Assistant Professor Wes Grantom ’03. Tyler Simpson, guest artist, serves as the music director; Avery Finn, a senior theatre studies major from Terre Haute, Ind., is the choreographer and costume designer; Jason Simms, guest artist, serves as the scenic designer; Avery Reagan ’17, guest artist, is the lighting designer; Jon Robertson, guest artist, serves as the sound designer; Morgan Bailey, a senior stage management major from Keller, Texas, is the stage manager, and Lily Rehberg, a senior design and technology major from Dalton, Ga., is the technical director.

The cast features Landry Barker, a sophomore performance major from Fort Worth, Texas, as Roger; Antonio Cortés Román, a sophomore performance major from Metepec, Mexico, as Angel; Tomi Akinwande, a sophomore performance major from Houston, Texas, as Mimi; Spencer Marfy, a senior performance major from Tallmadge, Ohio, as Mark; Drake J. Susuras, a senior performance major from Broomfield, Colo., as Tom; Alijah J. Roberson, a sophomore performance major from Marietta, Ga., as Benny; Alyssa Meadows, a sophomore performance major from Louisville, Ky., as Maureen; Brynna Waters, a junior performance major from Brownsburg, Ind., as Joanne; The ensemble includes: Dinarri Cox, a first-year performance major from Woodstock, Ga.; Bailey Crawford, a first-year performance major from Frisco, Texas; Ben Lodge, a first-year performance major from ­Overland Park, Kan.; Quinn McGaugh, a first-year performance major from McAlester, Okla.; Mason Norton, a sophomore performance major from Bremen, Ind.; Kennedy Olson, a sophomore performance major from Porter, Texas; Lindsay Perr, a junior performance major from Medford, NJ.; Umbra Person, a sophomore performance major from Jonesboro, Ga.; Rylie Sudduth, a first-year performance major from Versailles, Ky.; Andrea Vargas, sophomore performance major from Missouri City, Texas; and Owen White, a first-year performance major from Valley Center, Kan.

Adult ticket prices are $20 and $18 for senior adults, UE employees, and non-UE students. UE students may obtain one free student rush ticket beginning at 12 p.m. on the day of the performance they wish to attend.  In addition, UE Theatre is excited to continue their “Pay What You Will” initiative again this second season.  Every Thursday evening performance in Shanklin Theatre is available for any person to pay any price that best fits their budget.  Single tickets may be purchased online at theatre.tzyn.net or by calling the ticket office at 812.488.2031, Monday through Friday, 12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

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