Rent Comes to Mabee Theater April 11-14

Jonathan Larson’s Rent, said to be Broadway’s most successful musical since Hair, closes Rockhurst’s theater season with performances April 11-14 in Mabee Theater.

Based on his own struggles as an underemployed musician and playwright, Larson wrote about people living on the edge of poverty and the AIDS pandemic, trying to learn the lessons of love, community, passion and compassion.

Winner of the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent also garnered four Tony Awards for Larson. However, Larson did not live to see the overwhelming success of his work. He died unexpectedly the morning of the play’s first preview performance off Broadway.

The story is about love, sex and rock ‘n’ roll. Due to the play’s language, violence and mature situations, the play is intended for mature audiences.

Mabee Theater is located in Sedgwick Hall on Rockhurst University’s campus, 54th Street and Troost Avenue. Rent opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 11, and will feature a post-performance talk back. Saturday and Sunday performances will begin at 2:30 p.m. The final performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 14, as the culminating event of the Rockhurst University Festival of Student Achievement. Tickets are free for students with a Rockhurst ID, $5 for non-Rockhurst students, and $15 for adults. Tickets may be purchased at the box office prior to the performance. RSVPs are suggested. Reserve a spot by calling 816-501-4877.