Rock opera "Rent" opens Oct. 2

Rent posterThe Miami University department of theatre season opening production, "Rent" by Jonathan Larson, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 2-5 and Oct. 8-9, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6., in Studio 88, Center for Performing Arts.

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, "Rent" has "become a pop culture phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. Loosely based on Puccini's "La Bohême," the show follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians, struggling to survive and create on New York's Lower East Side.

The production, guest directed by Suann Pollock, is presented in the 110-seat Studio 88, offering an intimate connection to a "revolutionary musical that changed the American theatre scene."

Pollock was guest director for Miami's production of "Urinetown" (2009) and the Miami University Summer Theatre production of "Suessical the Musical" (2005).

rent cast

Cast members of "Rent" perform for prospective students during Arts Day.

She is general manager of Cincinnati’s Playhouse in the Park and also teaches at the University of Cincinnati-College Conservatory of Music Preparatory Program. Music direction is by Stephen Lytle, director of athletic bands at Miami.

Tickets, $10 adults, $8 seniors and $7 students, are available at the Miami Box Office