El Camino College Theater Department to Present “RENT”

The El Camino College Theater Department will present “RENT,” the critically acclaimed musical by Jonathan Larson. Performances are scheduled for 8 p.m. March 14, 15, 21, 22, 28, and 29, in addition to 3 p.m. March 23 and 30 in the Campus Theatre.

“RENT” 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. In this musical, set at the dawn of the 1990s, a group of New Yorkers struggle with their careers, love lives and the effects of the AIDS epidemic on their community. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, and Roger, an HIV-positive musician, scramble for money to pay rent to their landlord and former roommate, Benny. Meanwhile, their friend Tom, a professor, has fallen for Angel, who is slowly dying of AIDS.

Loosely based on the opera “La Bohème,” the groundbreaking musical won several awards after its 1996 opening, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Musical. “RENT” ran for 12 years, making it one of the longest-running shows on Broadway.

The El Camino performance is directed by Daniel Nakawatase and choreographed by Liz Hoefner Adamis, along with Gabrielle Maldonado, musical direction and Matthew Visk, vocal direction.

Please be aware of the following warning: This performance includes adult language and themes dealing with death, disease (HIV/AIDS) self-harm/suicide, addiction, sexual situations, theatrical haze fog and flashing lights. No late seating is available for this event.

The El Camino Community College District encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact the Center for the Arts as soon as possible, but no later than seven days prior to the event.

Tickets are $25/$15 and may be purchased at www.centerforthearts.org using the online ticketing system or by phone at 310-329-5345. The Ticket Office is open from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for walk-up sales, and one hour before all scheduled performances. El Camino College is located at 16007 Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance.