First (of many) Official Poster

Ensemble

The cast rocked its first public appearance last November 27 at the Ghirardelli Square Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The cast sang Seasons of Love to an enthusiastic holiday crowd, and passed its first test as an ensemble with flying colors.

If you missed that performance, you can catch them at the Macy's Toys for Tots Event on December 11, where they will sing Seasons of Love, Will I, and What You Own.

First look at Rent's marketing campaign

Up on the roof, filming

November 16: The Rent gang lined themselves up on the roof, ready for their closeups, to shoot video footage for the musical's promo campaign. The San Francisco air was crisp and had a holiday air about it, perfect weather for "Christmas Bells Are Ringing." But tonight was all about the Rent anthem, Seasons of Love, which the cast pre-recorded over and over before filming.


The shoot went spectacularly without incident. Even a near mishap with a falling umbrella spotlight was averted because of Chris Morrell's laser-like reflexes. All told, the theater gods smiled at this shoot, which put the cast in the mood to horse around, mug for the photographer's camera, and get all huggy with each other.

The cast looked great in their East Village grungerie, and sounded even better. Jujuana Williams and Jami James, featured soloists for Seasons of Love, rocked their solos in a performance worthy of opening night. That the cast can sound this good this early brings tremendous excitement to what is yet to come. No doubt, there was a lot of star quality on the roof that evening. And enough vocal power to blow the roof off the Magic Theater when the show opens in January.

Put your "Rent" face on

Salvador puckers up, San Francisco, November 2009.



November 16: Shooting day for the Rent promo video, a big day for the cast. The video shoot takes place on the roof of the rehearsal space, the San Francisco skyline as a backdrop, on a terribly chilly night. Luckily for the cast, they are decked in winter clothes, their costumes for the play. In the meantime, hair and makeup. Everyone put your Rent face on and pimp it up for the camera!

Cast channels "Glee"

"Rent" meets "Glee" as Jenna, Enrico, and videographer Al sing "Don't Stop Believing" while waiting for the video shoot. With the "Rent" backup dancers!

Seasons of love, colors of "Rent"

Rehearsal scrapbook, November 13, 2009.



November 13: Winter comes early to San Francisco as the cast of Rent rummages through jackets, coats, scarves, boots and caps to recreate the musical's chilly yuletide scenario.

Costume designer Cherilyn Chang (shown right) will be responsible for outfitting bohemia and bringing out the colors of Rent. The look will be decidedly young. Low-rent grunge, crass 80s materialism, and lower east side performance art attitude. The colors autumnal and somber, with jolting splashes of color. Color for hope and la vie boheme, the essence of Larsen's play.


Expect to see a lot of the Rent cast during the holidays as they bring Seasons of Love to the season of gift-giving. The cast has been invited to grace several holiday events across the city, including the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at San Francisco's Ghirardelli Square. Details soon!