Gaten Matarazzo will make his West End debut in a new production of RENT. Picture: Victoria Stevens
Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo will make his West End debut in a new production of Jonathan Larson’s rock musical RENT.
Presented by Chris Harper Productions and Sonia Friedman productions in association with the Hope Mill Theatre, the production which celebrates 3o years since the musical’s Broadway debut will begin performances at the Duke of York’s Theatre on 26 September ahead of an opening night on 8 October.
Olivier Award-winning director Luke Sheppard (Paddington, & Juliet) will take charge of the new production which is based on Sheppard’s critically acclaimed 2020 Hope Mill Theatre version of Larson’s innovative work.
Announcing the production, Chris Harper and Sonia Friedman said: “We are absolutely delighted to be bringing RENT back to the West End in this bold new production. We were completely exhilarated when we first saw Luke Sheppard’s staging at the Hope Mill Theatre in 2020 – it felt immediate, emotional and utterly alive. Jonathan Larson’s musical remains as powerful and resonant as ever, and Luke has found a way to honour its legacy while making it feel thrillingly fresh for today’s audiences. We cannot wait to share this production and all that we have planned for it. It promises to be a truly special theatrical event.”
Sheppard added: “It’s an honour to be bringing RENT into the West End for its 30th anniversary year, and a personal privilege to return to Jonathan Larson’s extraordinary musical. Directing the show at the Hope Mill Theatre was a transformative experience and we were overwhelmed by the audience response. The opportunity to reimagine that production on a larger scale is a dream come true, bringing West End audiences up close to the heartfelt emotion and raw energy that powers this seminal musical. This is RENT in the hands of a new generation of performers who love and adore this piece, and with Gaten Matarazzo playing Mark, it promises to be a thrilling experience.”
Known for his award-winning performance as Dustin Henderson in the Netflix drama series Stranger Things, Matarazzo most recently appeared as Tobias in the critically acclaimed production of Sweeney Todd at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on Broadway. His other Broadway credits include Jared Kleinman in Dear Evan Hansen at the Music Box Theatre, Jesus in Godspell at Circle in the Square and Frankie Epps in Parade at New York City Center. He also appeared as Jack in Into the Woods at the Hollywood Bowl.
Further casting will be announced at a later date.
Sheppard will lead a creative team that includes choreographer Tom Jackson Greaves, set designer David Woodhead, costume designer Gabriella Slade, lighting designer Howard Hudson, audio production and sound designer Paul Gatehouse, with video design and cinematography by George Reeve and Nathan Amzi, make-up and hair design by Jackie Saundercock, UK casting by Pearson Casting and US casting by Jim Carnahan.
The team also includes musical supervisor Bill Sherman, musical director and associate musical supervisor Katy Richardson, intimacy director Asha Jennings-Grant, assistant director Priya Appleby and dialect coach Joe Trill.
RENT will be produced in the West End by Chris Harper Productions, Sonia Friedman Productions, Winkler & Smalberg and Julie Larson in association with the Hope Mill Theatre.
Inspired by Puccini’s opera La Bohème, Larson’s critically acclaimed work won four Tony awards, six Drama Desk awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1996.
The rock musical boasts a book, music and lyrics by Larson, with musical arrangements by Steve Skinner, original concept and additional lyrics by Billy Aronson, music supervision and additional arrangements by Tim Weil and a dramaturg by Lynn Thomson.
Angela Thomas
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