Local thespians return to the stages of Livingston and Bozeman with a trip to 1980s New York late this month and into next. The Shane Lalani Center for the Arts presents a production of Jonathan Larson’s RENT from February 27th through March 8th, before moving to The Ellen Theatre for performances from March 13th through March 22nd.
Larson’s Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece that revolutionized Broadway and captured the spirit of a generation celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Set in New York’s East Village, RENT is a raw and exhilarating story about love, friendship, and finding your voice. This special production will appear in both Livingston and Bozeman – an anthem for living boldly in the now.
Based on Puccini’s beloved opera La Bohème, RENT follows the ups and downs of a year in the life of a group of impoverished, artistic friends living in Manhattan’s East Village. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, struggles to find his place in the world; his roommate Roger, an HIV-positive musician, wonders how he will leave his mark before he dies. Mimi and Angel look for true love as they face the harsh reality of life as HIV-positive young people, while the businesslike Joanne seeks fidelity from her wild-child performance artist girlfriend Maureen.
The group’s dreams, losses and love stories weave through the musical’s narration to paint a stunningly raw and emotional portrait of the gritty bohemian world of New York City in the late 1980s, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS [Stage Agent].
RENT runs weekends from Feb. 27th to March 22nd. Performances take place in the Shane’s Dulcie Theatre and Bozeman’s Ellen Theatre. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30pm, with Sunday matinees to follow at 3pm. An additional 7:30pm performance will be held March 19th at the Ellen. Tickets are on sale now. Make reservations through www.theshanecenter.org and www.theellentheatre.com, or call the box office at (406) 222-1420 or (406) 585-5885.
RENT is generously sponsored by the Sal & Carol Lalani Endowment, Livingston’s ACE Hardware, and Colin & Seabring Davis. •
