What is RENT and why all the buzz since 9 Works Theatrical’s new production announced it as 2010’s opening salvo in the local musical theatre scene?

RENT is set in New York City’s gritty East Village, and this revolutionary rock musical is an imaginative retelling of the classic Puccini opera, La Boheme. This unforgettable and timeless story of a group of starving artists, who, despite poverty and illness, learn to fall in love and find their voices, brings a universal message of hope for everyone.

Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize, RENT with Book, Music and Lyrics by the late Jonathan Larson, has made a lasting mark on Broadway with songs that rock and a story that really resonates.

To bring this important piece of musical theatre to the local Filipino community is a commitment of 9 Works Theatrical to deliver only the best plays and musicals — either originally written or from both Broadway and the West End.

Here’s a quick look at the road to RENT… Soon after the open-call auditions were announced last September 2009, more than 300 would-be stars mobbed the headquarters of the Philippine Opera Company’s “La Boheme” rehearsal hall in San Lorenzo Village, Makati. For three days in October, the line of would-be Renters ran up to the garden and the street outside. Ages ranged from 17 to mid 40s. A motley group —- students, professionals of various business disciplines …. Others dangled with their resumés full of theatre experiences while the vast majority simply wanted to try their luck….. come what may!

They carried guitars, music notes, scribbled lyrics on small pieces of paper but only to be told to drop it on the floor. Lots of mineral water and cigarettes were a sight at the lawn. Some were sleeping, some were sitting, some were jumping up and down apparently trying to “get loose.” Looks and styles ranged from men with attitude or for that matter, with no “X” factor at all. And the ladies came in different sizes and shapes with or without make-up subtly to inject the ‘rock’-feel in them…imagine long stringy hair, halter tops, woven braids, knee-high boots, blue nail polish, pierced everything and tattoos.

“I was expecting a lot of people, but didn’t really believe it until I saw it with my own eyes… when I came out at the main lobby I really felt their intensity and how much they all wanted to be a part of RENT…” marveled Robbie Guevara, who is at the helm of directing this much-awaited musical.

Each one of them were given their magical moment to sing two pop rock songs of various tempos. And at unannounced instances, some were told to sing a capella their favorite song be it an OPM or otherwise.

It was a ‘no-no’ to sing a song from the musical or any other musical theatre piece. Everyone was encouraged to leave their head shots and resumés just in case something came up in the future.

The audition panel was composed of Robbie Guevara, Santi Santamaria, 9 Works Theatrical’s executive producer; Toots O. Tolentino, PR / Publicist; Ceejay Javier, Musical Director; and Lionel Guico, Vocal Consultant.

From these three days and a total of 302 auditionees, callbacks were held Oct. 26, 29 and November 4 to further streamline the 78 top listers.

During this time, the rehearsal room was more intense as each one was encouraged by Robbie Guevara to deliver their own version of the song not just by “simply singing the song” but by “singing it from the heart”.

Many deliberation processes and select call-backs followed and those who passed eventually made it to the final ‘15’ as the cast of RENT.

Gian Magdangal leads the cast as Roger Davis, a songwriter who is HIV positive, with Fred Lo as Mark Cohen, an independent filmmaker and Roger’s roommate and Nicole Asensio as Mimi Márquez, an exotic dancer with HIV.

The cast will also feature OJ Mariano as Tom Collins, a gay philosophy professor and anarchist with AIDS; Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Maureen Johnson, a bisexual performance artist; Noel Rayos as Benjamin ‘Benny’ Coffin III, the local landlord and a former room mate of Roger, Mark, Collins, and Maureen; Job Bautista as Angel Dumott Schunard, a gay drag queen percussionist with AIDS and Jenny Villegas as Joanne Jefferson, a lawyer, who is Maureen’s partner.

Ensemble members include Ring Antonio, Peachy Atilano, Johann Dela Fuente, Harold Cruz, Gary Junsay, Raul Montesa, Anna Santamaria and Mark Tayag.

The RENT production team is composed of Executive Producer Santi Santamaria, Director Robbie Guevara, Production Manager Weng Lopez, Musical Director Ceejay Javier, Vocal Coach Onyl Torres, Vocal Consultant Lionel Guico, Scenographer Mio Infante, Lighting Designer Martin Esteva, Sound Engineer Rards Corpuz, Sound Designer Chuck Ledesma, PR / Publicity Director Toots O. Tolentino, PR Manager Jonjon Martin, Marketing Manager Shelyn Tayanes, and Stage Manager Jojo Amboy. Cast Photography by Jojit Lorenzo and Production Photography by Sundee Guevara.

*RENT is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI) 421 West 54th Street, New York, New York 10019 Tel.: (212) 541-4684 • www.mtishows.com

Show dates are February 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 and 28. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 8:00PM Saturdays at 3:30PM & Sundays at 4:30PM Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza Ayala Corner Sen. Gil Puyat Avenues, Makati City 1200

*For tickets: Call 9 Works Theatrical at 557.58.60 or visit www.9workstheatrical.com or call TicketWorld at 891.9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Whether it’s your 1st time or your 100th time, the time is now for RENT !