Thursday, November 16 at 7:30PM
Friday, November 17 at 7:30PM
Saturday, November 18 at 2:30PM
Saturday, November 18 at 7:30PM
Sunday, November 19 at 2:30PM

Book, music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson

Jason Gillman, director/choreographer
Chris Pinder, music director
R. Eric Stone,* scenic designer
Jenna Linnert, costume designer
Valeria Otero, lighting designer
Clark Van Beek and David Steinmetz, technical directors
David Greenberg, sound designer

La Vie Bohème! Set in the East Village of New York City, Jonathan Larson’s iconic musical, Rent, is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with a range of audiences.

Based loosely on Puccini’s La bohème, Rent follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.

Suggested Show Rating: R

This production contains flashing lights and haze, as well as adult language and themes, including addiction, suicide, death and terminal illness. Contact the Box Office for more information.

This performance is sponsored by Crescent Cities Charities, providing educational assistance to promising students with financial need, and supporting charities and community organizations. Learn more at cccharities.org.

Digital Program

View Digital Program

Shenandoah Conservatory uses digital programs for all performances. In addition to their engaging and accessible design, digital programs are cost effective, environmentally friendly and enable us to create and update our programs more efficiently, which means we can focus our resources on the performances you love! View our digital programs by clicking the button above, scanning the QR code in our venue or texting PROGRAM to (540) 307-2336 at the performance. [Note: Digital programs are best viewed on your mobile or tablet device.]

Lean In & Engage

Q: What excites you about working on this production?

“I love getting to work with vibrant and talented performers whose passion is storytelling!”

– Jason Gillman, guest director and choreographer

Q: What are you excited about for audiences to experience?

“I’m excited for the audience to look at life through a different lens, and to see, for all of our differences, how much we have in common.”

– Jason Gillman, guest director and choreographer

Food & Drink

Concessions will be available for purchase beginning one hour prior to this performance.

Accessibility

Infrared hearing system headsets are available in Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre only. Accommodations for disabilities may be arranged by contacting the Box Office at least three days prior to the performance.

*member of the United Scenic Artists, Local 829