Wagner College Theatre is proud to present RENT, Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking rock musical that has captivated audiences since its debut in 1996. Set in New York City’s East Village, RENT follows a group of young artists as they confront life, love, loss—and the ever-present challenge of paying last month’s rent. Loosely inspired by Puccini’s La Bohème, the show features iconic numbers like “Seasons of Love” and “La Vie Bohème,” and continues to resonate with new generations.
This production marks the Wagner College Theatre directorial debut of faculty member Lou Jacob, an acclaimed international director and recipient of The Princess Grace Statue Award. A member of the Tony Awards Nominating Committee, Jacob’s career highlights include Off-Broadway productions such as The God of Hell by Sam Shepard, The Glass Cage by JB Priestley, Coyote on a Fence, and Hard Times by Charles Dickens. His global credits include The Backyardigans Live! (Europe), his original play Night Train to the Stars (Tokyo), and The Radiant Abyss (Kennedy Center).
“We are incredibly lucky to have Lou join our ranks this year,” says WCT General Manager Michelle Siemens. “His body of work speaks for itself, and he brings that experience, passion, and vision to our students and this production.”
Wagner’s Connection to RENT
Wagner College is proud to be part of RENT’s history. In 1993, Jonathan Larson received the Stanley Drama Award—administered by Wagner College Theatre—for his then-unproduced script of RENT. Established in 1957, the award supports promising playwrights through the generosity of Alma Timolat Stanley and the Stanley-Timolat Foundation, which also continues to support Wagner’s production of this important work.
Performance Dates:
April 24, 25, 26 & May 1, 2, 3 at 8:00 PM
April 26, May 3, and May 4 at 2:00 PM
All performances will be held at Wagner College Theatre’s Main Hall Theatre.
Location:
Wagner College Theatre
One Campus Rd
Staten Island, NY 10301
Visitor parking is available in the Tiers Lot and the Stadium Parking Lot. For GPS directions, use 631 Howard Avenue, Staten Island, NY.
Creative Team:
Director: Lou Jacob
Music Director: Joshua Sottile
Choreographer: Elle Ouimet
Scenic Design: Vicki Neal
Lighting Design: Vicki Neal and Sam Terrell
Costume Design: Ryan Ginter
Sound Design: Grace Oberhofer
Hair & Makeup: Alfreda “Fre” Howard
Stage Manager: Micah Hale
Dramaturgs: Victoria Poutre, Carina Perez
Production Manager: Vicki Neal
Technical Director: Brian T. Sharron
Cast:
Daniel Manuel Torres, Gavin Conner, Liv Gonzalez, Abraham Lopes, Giovani Cadet, Dayshalin Tapia, Sophia Erneta, Jocelyn Oberle, Mikaila Miller, Amanda Marko, Sydney Cox, James Bilbruck, Giulia Brady, Ralph Bologna, Layla Valenzuela, Maggie Cantwell, and Richie Malinowski.
