Flat Rock Playhouse (FRP) is captivating audiences with a new production of Rent, the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical with book, music and lyrics written by Jonathan Larson and loosely based on Giacomo Puccini’s 1896 opera La bohème. Lisa K. Bryant directs this spectacular production, a first professional staging of Rent for FRP that runs through Saturday, August 15, and includes matinee and evening performances.
“Rent is a timeless story of artists striving to create meaningful lives while navigating love, friendship, loss and the pursuit of their dreams,” says Bryant. “Set in New York City’s East Village at the dawn of the 1990s, a group of young artists search for purpose, connection and a place to belong.”
In 2011, the FRP produced Rent with its apprentices for a three-day run. “It was a really beautiful experience,” says Bryant, “and I’ve long wanted to revisit the piece again when we could dedicate even more time, resources and talent to the storytelling.”
Larson, who did not live to see the musical’s success, envisioned it as a rock opera for the MTV generation. “We have amazing rock singers coming in to take us on this heartfelt, rocking journey,” says Bryant…