For those unfamiliar with RENT, here is a short description of each character:
Roger Davis, a struggling musician who's HIV+. Roger hopes to write one last meaningful song before he dies.
Mark Cohen, a filmmaker and video artist, and Roger's roommate.
Tom Collins, an HIV+ computer genius who's back in New York after being away.
Benjamin Coffin III, landlord of Mark and Roger's building. Benny wants to start a multimedia studio.
Joanne Jefferson a public interest lawyer, and Maureen's lover.
Angel Shunard, a transvestite street drummer also infected with HIV.
Mimi Marquez, a dancer with AIDS and a drug problem.
Maureen Johnson, a performance artist and Mark's ex-girlfriend.
Mark's mom, Roger's mom, Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson, Mr. Grey, Alexi Darling, Steve, Paul, a Christmas caroler, a woman with bags, a pastor, man with squeegee, a cop, a waiter, and others.
The Current Broadway Cast
YASSMIN ALERS (Swing/Understudy) Broadway - Paul Simon's The Capeman, Rent, original company dance-captain. European premiere of The Who's Tommy. Off-Broadway- Bring in the Morning and Blocks by Jonathan Larson. Numerous Industrials. "God is good."
RICHARD H. BLAKE (Understudy) just completed the pre-Broadway workshop of Footloose and was recently seen in Avenue X and The Daily News, which he also choreographed. Broadway: Teddy & Alice, Macbeth, The Sound of Music. National tour:The Sound of Music. Film: A Cure for Serpents. He has been performing since the age of 5 and has won over 200 dance competitions. Numerous theatre credits and many commercials and soaps. Thanks to family, friends and Vanessa.
JESSICA BOEVERS (Ensemble) comes directly from originating the role of Philia in the Broadway revival company of Forum. She also covered and performed the role of Belle in Broadway's Beauty and the Beast. A Chicago native, she has appeared at the Goodman, Northlight, Marriot Lincolnshire and Apple Tree Theatres. Much love and thanks to her family and especially to Robert.
NORBERT LEO BUTZ (Roger) a St. Louis Native, makes his New York and Broadway stage debut in RENT. Regional: four seasons with Alabama Shakespeare Festival (Hamlet, St. Joan, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Balm in Gilead); Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (Galileo, The Matchmaker); Hope Summer Rep (Boys Next Door, Man for All Seasons).B.F.A.,Conservatory at Webster University: M.F.A., Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Love and thanks to his wife Sydney, Elizabeth, Mom and Pop, and the crew back home, Michael, thanks for the light. Jonathan, thanks for the candle.
WILL CHASE (Ensemble) Rent marks Will's Broadway debut. Other credits include: Chris in Miss Saigon (2nd National), Black Patent Leather Shoes...(Jeff Award Nomination - Best Actor),Mame, Assassins, Electra, Son of Fire (Jeff Nomination - Best Actor), You're Gonna Love Tomorrow: A Stephen Soundheim Evening, Trash & Fenn (Jeff Nomination - Best Actor); Training - Oberlin Conservatory; love and many thanks to Lori, all the "Clampetts", and the whole Morgan clan.
WILSON CRUZ (Angel) is best known for his portrayal of the troubled, introspective, teenager Ricky in the critically acclaimed ABC series "My So Called Life." Wilson starred alongside David Arquette and Lukas Haas in First Look's Johns which was screened at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival. Wilson's latest film All Over Me made its debut at this year's Sundance Festival. It will be released domestically by Fine Line Features in April. Set in New York's Hell's Kitchen, this coming of age drama with a murderous twist features Wilson as the street smart skate boarder Jesse.
JULIE P. DANAO (Understudy) comes directly from the first national tour of Rent to make her Broadway debut. Her credits include Miss Saigon (second national), Disney's Aladdin's Oasis and Pocahontas stage shows. Television credits include "The Making of Aladdin." Thank you Lord for the music, family, friends and life. I love you Grandpa and Cody boy.
SHELLEY DICKINSON (Ensemble). National tour: And the World Goes ėRound. Off-Broadway: Merrily We Roll Along (York Theatre Company); Rent studio production (New York Theatre Workshop). Numerous regional productions. Shelley has performed in concerts and benefits at the Russian Tea Room and Carnegie Hall.
ROBERT GLEAN (Ensemble) happily rejoins the Broadway Company of Rent after performing the show for several months in Toronto. Originally from Canada, Rob received his first taste of theatre only 2 years ago. Performing in 2 productions: My Favorite Year and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat; and a revue show Sheridan Style. He sends his dedication and thanks to Sheridan Staff, Style, family and the God Almighty.
JUAN CARLOS GONZALEZ (Understudy) makes his Broadway debut. He is an L.A. dancer/choreographer whose credits include West Side Story and Guys and Dolls in Orange County. He extends his gratitude to God for his talents, his mother, Ricardo, sister Belinda, the Summers and Secret Source. He dedicates this show to the memory of his father Rafael Gonzalez.
CALVIN GRANT (Understudy), straight from the national tour of Miss Saigon, is thrilled to make his Broadway debut in Rent. Calvin is thankful for all that has been given and for all that is to come. My song to the memory of my father. All my love and respect to my dear mother.
MARCY HARRIELL (Mimi) makes her Broadway debut with jubilation. New York: Capeman workshop with Paul Simon, Camila (Hal Prince workshop), Golden Boy (Lorna, York Theatre), Jigsaw. Regional, tours: Once on This Island (Rep Theatre of St. Louis), Another Midsummer Night (AMTF), Blood Brothers, West Side Story (Maria) with Jerome Robbins, Arthur Laurents. Thank you, family!...and to Rob for giving her courage and love.
KRISTEN LEE KELLY (Maureen) is very happy to be making her Broadway debut in Rent. Off-Broadway: Rent (NYTW, Obie Award), Loved Less (Via Theatre), Blaming Mom (Watermark Theatre), The Apollo of Bellac (Ubu Repertory). Regional: The Diary of Anne Frank (Barrington Stage Co.), The Heidi Chronicles (Two River Theatre), Oleanna (Capital Rep.), Dream of the Red Spider (ART). TV: "The Kennedys of Massachusetts." Love and thanks to my family, friends, NYTW, the Rent cast and crew and, of course, Jonathan.
SHARON LEAL (Understudy) is thrilled to be back on Broadway where she was last seen as Gigi in Miss Saigon. At New York Theatre Workshop: Bright Lights, Big City. Regional credits include: Little Shop of Horrors - Arizona Theatre Co., Into the Woods - Theatreworks CA. and other shows like Ain't Misbehavin, West Side Story, Me and My Girl and Nunsense to name a few. Currently seen as Dahlia Creed on CBS' "Guiding Light". Sharon dedicates her performance to her kid sister, Kristina.
MICHAEL McELROY (Tom Collins). Broadway: The Who's Tommy, Miss Saigon, High Rollers, Patti LuPone on Broadway. National tour: Sarafina. Off-Broadway: Violet (Playwrights Horizons, Drama Desk nomination); Richard III (New York Shakespeare Festival); Disappearing Acts. Regional: Angels in America (Alley Theatre); Fences (Riverside Theatre); Dreamgirls (Pittsburgh Playhouse). Featured singer on The Rosie O'Donnell Show theme song and commercials. Graduate of Carnegie Mellon with B.F.A. in drama. Thanks to Mom Sean, HWA, friends, and family for love and support.
>MATTEW MURPHY (Ensemble)is excited about making his Broadway debut in Rent. 22 years of age, Matt has done theatre most of his life. For the last six years he has devoted much of his time to his rock band in Cleveland "Rumor Has It". Matt would like to thank God, family and friends for all their support.
TINA OU (ensemble) began her career with the San Francisco Ballet before embarking into theatre. Recently completed the pre-Broadway workshop of Footloose. Broadway credits: Once Upon a Mattress, The King and I and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Assistant choreography credits: Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm, The House of Martin Guerre, Let's Do It and Dreamland. Special thank you to David and A.C. For your constant love, support and inspiration!
JIM POULOS (Mark)is thrilled to be making his Broadway debut in Rent. He has worked in many regional theatres on the west coast, as well as at the Ge Va Theatre in Rochester, NY. Favorite roles include Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar, Jack in Into The Woods and Al Joad in The Grapes of Wrath. Jim is thankful for his loving fiance, Lis.
MARK SETLOCK (Ensemble) was featured in the studio production of Rent. He has appeared in productions at HERE, Primary Stages, Ontological/Hysterical, NADA, The Beckett, ONE DREAM, and the Adirondack Theatre Festival, among others. He is a graduate of the A.R.T. Institute at Harvard.
JACQUES C. SMITH (Benny) is overjoyed to make his B'way debut in Rent. Originally from Chicago, he has worked in commercials and industrials. He has toured the country and internationally with various theater and singing groups. Recent credits include The School for Wives, Titus Andronicus, Don Juan, The Seagull, Gospel at Colonus and Fences. He is a graduate of Princeton University. Thanks to God for my talent, my family for their support and Jonathan and Michael for this opportunity.
SHAYNA STEELE (Understudy) is more than thrilled to be making her Bway debut in Rent. Regional credits include: The Wiz, Little Shop of Horrors, Big River, Chicago and Annie. Shayna wishes to thank her Mom, Dad, Suzelles Enterprises, family and friends for all their love and support.
GWEN STEWART (Joanne) is very happy to be returning to Broadway in Renttheatre history in the making. Broadway credits: Starmites (Cannibelle) and Truly Blessed (Flo). Off-Broadway: Rent (NYTW, Obie Award); Suds (Marge). Regional: Avenue X (Julia), Ain't Misbehavin' (Nel), Dreamgirls, The Wiz (Evelline), Abyssinia (Corine) and Big River (Alice). Gwen is also a two-time winner on "Showtime at the Apollo" and is no stranger to the film and music industries. The sky's the limit for this diva. All thanks to God for my gift of song.
BYRON UTLEY (Ensemble). Broadway: Death and the King's Horseman (Olunde), Bob Fosse's Big Deal (Charley). Regional: Uncle Tom in I Ain't Yo Uncle (Hartford Stage), Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Williamstown Theatre Festival), Herald Loomis in Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Studio Arena), the lead in Othello (Shakespeare in Delaware Park). Off-Broadway: Rent (NYTW, Obie Award). Film and television: Night and the City, "Law & Order," "Ghostwriter," "The Dudley Moore Show." Featured vocalist with Hannibal Peterson at the 1995 Theatre Festival in Venice and Milan. Mr. Utley also participates in the Colgate Palmolive Partnership Mentor Program.
This list is current according to The Official RENT Site. However, I know for a fact that some of these people have left - oh well :(
Email: sowehear@angelfire.com
