'Rent' at Playhouse 22

The hit musical "Rent" is coming to Playhouse 22 May 2.

A rock musical loosely based on Puccini’s "La Boheme," "Rent" follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom, and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves, and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical. This play deals with explicit subject matter and is intended for mature audiences.

The show features Michael Drake as Mark Cohen, Steven Leshchanka as Roger Davis, Mariella Klinger as Mimi, Darius Delk as Collins, Jose Arroyo as Angel, Melissa Javorek as Maureen, Samantha Chase Kestenbaum as Joanne, Jon Yearwood as Benny; and Jason Bracco, Dave Willenbrock, Andre Williams, Willy Mena, Elijah Stewart, Monae’ Idalis Torres, Jessica Bettie Zorn, Ashley Kraus, Katelyn Morgan, Kate Pentek, Rachel Zuckerman, Lia Marin as ensemble.

"Rent" will run at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and at 3 p.m. Sundays May 2-18. Tickets cost $22 per adult and $20 per student or senior. To purchase tickets, click here. Playhouse 22 is located at 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick.