RENT Rocks the House at CCT Feb. 7 – 22
CCT continues its 29th season with the production of RENT, opening Friday, February 7, and playing for three consecutive weekends. The rock musical by Jonathan Larson tells the story of a group of struggling young artists and musicians who create a life for themselves in New York City in the early 90’s, in the shadow of HIV/AIDS.
One of the longest running musicals in Broadway history, RENT played for 12 years, closing in 2008. It was nominated for ten Tony Awards and won four, including Best Musical and Best Score; it also won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
“We are very proud to present our interpretation of this iconic modern rock musical,” says director Michael Armendariz, “and to address timely issues such as drug addiction, the threat of of HIV/AIDS, and discrimination towards the LGBT community.”
The cast of RENT includes Ashley Bouzianis, Amaris Chew, Antonio Cruz, Daniel Deane, Lionel Downer, Sasha Green, Rebecca Hurlbert, Cherise King, Tyler Olson, Isabella Sylvester, Kevin Swanston, Curtis Walters, Colin Wolfe, and Michael Wright. Music direction is by Patrick Baron, who also plays piano, with Jeff Bergstrom on keyboard, Padraic Coursey and Jake Hikel on guitar, Mario Thomas on bass, and Josiah Winans on drums.
Performances are held at CCT’s theater at #18 Estate Orange Grove, just minutes from downtown Christiansted, St. Croix. There will be six evening performances of RENT on Fridays and Saturdays, February 7-8, 14-15, and 21-22, at 8 PM, and a matinee on Sunday, February 16 at 4 PM.
Tickets for CCT’s musical productions are always popular, and tickets are available for sale in advance to theatergoers in order to secure seating on the night of their choice. Tickets can be purchased online; or purchase tickets in person at the CCT box office Monday through Thursday between 5 PM and 7 PM, or by appointment on weekends. Tickets are $25 each with some discounts available for seniors, college students and CCT members. This show is for mature audiences and not recommended for children under age 16. For more information, call 778-1983 or 718-4229, or email eileencct@gmail.com.
RENT is sponsored by Business World, Capital Mortgage Services of Texas, CBS-TV2, Christiansted Apothecary Hall, Fran Couch & Steve Larchuk, David M. Hamada, Innovative Companies, JKC Communications of the VI, Robert Musser, Pauline Price, and Vacation St. Croix. This project is jointly supported by a grant from the Virgin Islands Council for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.