Collin Theatre Center Stages Pulitzer Prize-Winning Musical

Plano,TX February 8, 2011 – Collin Theatre Center will present the full stage version of Jonathan Larson’s hit musical, RENT. The production hits the stage at 8 p.m., March 3-5 and 9-12 and at 2:15 p.m. March 6 and 12-13

All shows will be at the John Anthony Theatre, located on Collin College’s Spring Creek Campus, 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.collintheatrecenter.com.

RENT is a rock opera with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera, La Boheme. It tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of AIDS. It tells the unforgettable story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and living for today.

Director of Theatre Brad Baker has assembled a talented group of students and professionals for this Plano premiere. Trey Tolleson plays the role of Mark Cohen, a struggling documentary filmmaker and best friend of "Roger Davis," an HIV-positive musician who is recovering from heroin addiction played by Sam Swenson. Traci Lee is Mimi Marquez, a dancer who is Roger's love interest.

Bailey Frankenberg plays a spunky performance artist Maureen Johnson, who is Mark's ex-girlfriend and current girlfriend of Joanne Jefferson, a tough, headstrong Harvard-educated lawyer played by Maija Johnson.

The musical was first seen in a sold out, limited three-week workshop run at the New York Theatre Workshop in 1994. This same New York City off-Broadway theatre was also the musical’s initial home following its official Jan. 25, 1996, opening. Tragically, the show’s creator, Jonathan Larson died suddenly the night before the off-Broadway premiere.

RENT, opened at Broadway's Nederlander Theatre, on April 29, 1996. The musical went on to win every major best musical award, including the Tony Award, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for drama. RENT played its final performance at the Nederlander Theatre Sept. 7, 2008 after playing 5,124 performances and 16 previews. RENT is the seventh longest running show in Broadway history and grossed over $280 million during its Broadway run. Over the course of its groundbreaking 12-year New York run, RENT transformed the definition of musical theater – and changed Broadway forever.

Collin Theatre Center is presenting the full, uncut version of RENT March 3-5 and 9-12 at 8 pm and March 6 and March 12-13 at 2:15. For ticket information call, 972.881.5809.

RENT has changed Broadway forever and transformed how a generation feels about musical theatre. Whether it’s your first time or your 100th time, you won’t want to miss this production of RENT.

RENT contains adult language and adult situations, and may not be appropriate for young audiences. It is up to the parent/guardian or patron to make the determination if an event is age appropriate for yourself or your child prior to purchasing tickets. Ushers will not prevent entry of children and young people.

Collin College serves more than 51,000 credit and continuing education students annually and offers more than 100 degree and certificate programs. The only public college in the county, Collin College is a partner to business, government and industry, providing customized training and work force development.

Collin Theatre Center
2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway
Plano, TX 75074

Brad Baker
Chair Of Theatre
972-881-5679

This release was published on openPR.