Rent

Book, Music, & Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Directed by Matthew McCray
Music Directed by Lex Leigh
Choreographed by Mo Goodfellow

Awards and Recognition

  • WINNER PULITZER PRIZE for Drama
  • WINNER TONY AWARD Best Musical
  • WINNER TONY AWARD Original Score
  • WINNER TONY AWARD Original Book

On the Cripe Stage… 

Set in the East Village of New York City, 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 is a pop cultural phenomenon, with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. Based loosely on Puccini’s La Boheme, the musical 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. This is theater at its best – exuberant, passionate, and joyous.

NOTE: This show contains mature content and strong language. Performances include the use of flashing lights and theatrical fog.

“Bold, smart, wildly impressive, emotionally stirring, and filled to the brim with detailed visuals and extremely talented cast members that would make even larger theater productions of this show envious, this vibrant new production of RENT is, to my delighted surprise, much more genuinely impactful than many previous iterations I’ve seen that went out on tour nationally.” Broadway World

“lighting designer Zach Moore’s stellar work throughout. Notice in that extended, vibrant “La Vie Boheme”, the gorgeous, amber hue flooding down from on high, a warm bathing of light, a metaphor for hope warming the stage.” OC Register

“I’ve now seen thirteen different productions of Rent—on Broadway, on tour, in big-stage regional theaters and intimate 99-seat venues, and in school and community theater settings. Not one of them has surpassed the absolute perfection that is Chance Theater’s Rent.” StageSceneLA

“Lena Ceja has the attitude, the vocals, and the help of a great costuming and makeup department. I see at least over 50 performances a year, but I won’t be forgetting this one any time soon.” Orange Curtain Review

“Matthew McCray’s direction and Mo Goodfellow’s choreography prove an electric combination that charges the atmosphere… stellar rendition of this Pulitzer Prize-winning rock opera (through August 20) is a dynamic yet intimate one, continuing the Chance’s tradition of excellence.” JordanRYoung.com

*** WINNER Pulitzer Prize for Drama

*** WINNER of 4 Tony Awards, including Best Musical

*** WINNER of 6 Drama Desk Awards, including Outstanding Musical


Executive Producers
Linda & Tod White

Associate Producers Rachelle Menaker & Eddie Schuller, Laurie Smits Staude

Season Producers
Bette & Wylie Aitken

Associate Season Producer The Family of Mary Kay Fyda-Mar

Community Partners (in alphabetical order):

 

 


Show artwork designed by KC Wilkerson, kcwdigital.com.


 

SPECIAL LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY NIGHT

Friday, August 4, 7-11:30 p.m.
Community Partners: Gay For Good, LGBTQ Center Orange County, PFLAG Newport Beach, and Shanti Orange County
  • 7:00 p.m. - Mingling in the Chance lobby over light bites and Happy Hour drinks. Be sure to meet our Community Partners.
  • 8:00 p.m. - Rent begins! We can't wait for you to see this performance!
  • 10:30 p.m. - Participate in a post-show conversation with the Cast and our Community Partners.
  • 10:50 p.m. - Don't leave just yet! We have a second round of bites and drinks.
  • 11:30 p.m. - Last call! The event comes to an end.
Are you part of a Community Organization? Contact us at [email protected] for information on special discounts and fundraising opportunities.

IN PERFORMANCE

IN REHEARSAL

Articles & Reviews

Read More on the Blog

Audience Buzz

    1. Everything about this show was absolutely stellar. The set was so impressive, there’s not a bad seat in the house, and the quality of the show was fantastic. I loved that we could see the keyboard/percussionist. I was blown away by the singing (Candle?! Holy moly so well done).

      — Anonymous
    2. The performance was equivalent to the Broadway show I saw with the original cast. I was totally engaged by the intimacy created by the cast on a non proscenium stage. I felt like I was right there with them!

      — Robin T.
    3. Production was excellent! Great storytelling and the performers singing voices were exceptional!

      — Michelle R.
    4. Good

      — Kenneth Palmer
    5. Love this place. The stage design was amazing

      — Donald hauger
    6. Excited to see rent – great theater

      — Ken
    7. The entire experience was AMAZING! The talent, passion and energy of the actors was unparalleled. It was such an emotional experience. I just could not praise it highly enough. And as always, every time we see a performance at The Chance, we are beyond satisfied. Love this theater!!!

      — Judy
    8. Excited for the show!

      — Erin Scalco
    9. Last night’s performance of Rent was exemplary. The show was an immersive experience transporting us back into the era and into NYC. It was evident the cast brought their A game and transcended us all in their vocal accolades. Feeling their struggles, hopes, and devastation. The performances emerged us into the heartbreak of an aids epidemic and more over on the stories of the love shared between the characters portrayed. I’m so glad I caught this show. I’ve put it up next to my first experience watching Hadestown on broadway in NYC. That’s the level of execution the cast, staff, musicians, and everyone involved had meticulously created in every aspect of this show.

      In one word.. incendiary.

      Thank you.

      — Mo Martinez
    10. Fabulous cast and performance

      — Anonymous
    11. I truly enjoyed it. The actors were amazing!

      — L. Danforth
    12. staging, acting and singing was excellent! This is a hard show to pull off live and your entire company nailed it!

      — D. Kreiner
    13. The show was incredible. I have attended Rent several times and this was by far the most enjoyable.

      — S. Walker
    14. I have already told others they should see the show

      — B. Harte
    15. Set was awesome! Set design was superb! Sound design was fantastic! Talent of the actors and musicians was amazing! Loved every minute! Can’t wait to go back and see it again!

      — Anonymous
    16. Great show, choreography and musical direction were superb. The show made me very emotional and involved!!!

      — S. Case
    17. I absolutely enjoyed the cast and their performance.

      — Anonymous
    18. Everything was top shelf. The performers were amazing.

      — Anonymous

Venue Bette Aitken theater arts Center

Bette Aitken theater arts Center
5522 E. La Palma Ave.
Anaheim, CA  92807
More Information Get Directions
Venue Amenities
  • Full-Service Bar
  • Free Parking
  • Conveniently Located

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At a Glance

Approximate Running Time:
2 hours, 30 minutes with intermission
Special Notes: