FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Ben Goldenberg
Marketing Manager
502-238-2711
bgoldenberg@jewishlouisville.org
John R. Leffert
CenterStage Artistic Director
502-238-2753
jleffert@jewishlouisville.org
RENT Moves into CenterStage July 12-29
LOUISVILLE, KY (June 14, 2012) – CenterStage at the Jewish Community Center launches a season of award-winning, thought-provoking theater with RENT, which will run July 12-29 in the Linker Auditorium (3600 Dutchmans Lane). Based on Puccini’s La Boheme, the show ran for 12 years on Broadway and won both the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Best Musical. Its tragic but uplifting story of a group of young artists struggling to meet the challenges of life in the time of AIDS resonated with a generation and continues to move audiences today. Jonathan Larson wrote the book music and lyrics for the show. His death, at age 35 on the eve of its first public performance at the New York Theatre Workshop, added to the searing emotion of the show.
Filled with upbeat rock songs and heartrending ballads, RENT tells the story of Mark, a filmmaker, and Roger, a musician, who are struggling to make ends meet when Mimi stumbles in their apartment and into Roger’s arms. Meanwhile, Mark’s ex-girlfriend, Maureen, now dating Joanne, is planning a major protest, and their friend Collins has struck gold in his discovery of Angel, a street performer, with whom he quickly falls in love. Their battles with AIDS, rent, vocation and love tear the friends apart and bring them back together again as they seek the meaning of life. The show contains mature themes and strong language.
The CenterStage cast of veterans and newcomers includes Kate E. Reedy as Mimi, Jordan Price as Roger, Alonzo Richmond as Collins, Derius Kenner-Williams as Angel, Lamont O’Neal as Benny, Brian Bowles as Mark, Lauren McCombs as Maureen, and Tymika Prince as Joanne.
CenterStage Artistic Director John R. Leffert notes, “RENT is an amazing and powerful piece of theater. The characters are all real and very raw, and the story is still relevant and important, all of which makes directing this show a dream for me. I remember when I saw it for the very first time. I was moved beyond belief. RENT is what I believe theater should be: It moves you, makes you think, and hopefully promotes change in each audience member.”
Extending that mission, CenterStage will collect donations on behalf of several local HIV/AIDS charitable organizations at each performance. In addition, the cast will perform during the Louisville Pride parade and at the Pride Festival on the Belvedere on Saturday June 16.
Performances are Thursday, July 12; Saturday, July 14; Thursday, July 19; Saturday, July 21; Monday, July 23; Thursday, July 26 and Saturday, July 28 at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays, July 15, 22 and 29 at 2 p.m. Call 459-0660 or visit www.jewishlouisville.org/centerstage to reserve tickets for what is sure to be a sell-out show.
About the Jewish Community Center
Founded in 1890, the JCC is a human service agency committed to enhancing the quality of family life and promoting the physical, intellectual and spiritual wellness of the individual. It provides health-related activities, cultural and educational programs that serve the community at large, including populations at risk. Membership and services are offered to the Jewish and general community. Through its wide array of programs, the Center pursues its mission of strengthening the individual, family and community. The JCC is part of the Jewish Community of Louisville.