Rehearsals are now underway for the live production of Rent, featuring an all-star cast.
It includes Vanessa Hudgens as Maureen, queer actor Kiersey Clemons as Joanne, Jordan Fisher as Mark, Brennin Hunt as Roger, Brandon Victor Dixon as Collins, Tinashe as Mimi Marquez and Valentina as Angel.
Hope you guys are half as ready for Jan 27 as we are. @RENTonFOX pic.twitter.com/7c4j8jiWKf
— Jordan Fisher (@Jordan_Fisher) December 8, 2018
Rent: Live is scheduled to air on Fox on January 27, 2019.
Broadway posted exclusive photos of the cast rehearsing, but missing Valentina.
An Angel of the first degree. 😇 #RENT pic.twitter.com/gRH6WhFLJj
— RENT on FOX (@RENTonFOX) December 16, 2018
In a recent interview, Valentina said: ‘This is my major first big role to the small screen. I’m so excited!’
However, there has been some negative backlash to the casting of a non-trans actor for the role of Angel.
Among the ensemble cast as well is gay actor Emerson Collins. He took to Twitter yesterday (17 December) to express his excitement for filming to commence.
He tweeted two pictures of himself on set, then wrote in the caption: ‘First day of rehearsal for @RENTonFOX! Super excited to be joining this cast.’
First day of rehearsal for @RENTonFOX! Super excited to be joining this cast. pic.twitter.com/0tsme9lG2W
— Emerson Collins (@ActuallyEmerson) December 17, 2018
Rent: A background
The cult show collected multiple Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize when it first hit the Broadway stage in 1996.
Rent is a reimagination of Giacomo Puccini’s famous opera La Bohème.
Set in New York’s East Village, Rent tells the story of a group of seven artists struggling to follow their dream during a time of social and political turmoil, and under the shadow of the AIDS crisis.
A film adaption followed in 2005. It featured six members of the original Broadway cast, including Anthony Rapp, Idina Menzel and Rosario Dawson.
Last week, Fox released the first trailer for the production, showcasing the cast singing a snippet of Seasons of Love.
See also:
Frankie and Ariana Grande release cover of Rent’s Seasons of Love
Ryan Murphy’s history making TV dance musical has been picked up by FX
Bohemian Rhapsody has just become the highest grossing queer movie ever