Tony Telecast To Celebrate Broadway Milestones

Generally the annual Tony Awards telecast only features musical numbers from currently nominated Broadway musicals, but this year's Tony broadcast is also going to feature appearances by the casts of two formerly nominated Broadway shows, The Lion King and Rent. The Lion King's return performance is in honor of the long-running Broadway musical's 10-year anniversary (the "Disney on Broadway" hit is still going strong and selling out regularly). For Rent, the return will be more bittersweet, since that 1996 Tony Award-winning Broadway phenomenon is finally calling it quits and closing its Broadway production in September. However, Rent has enjoyed a long and good life on Broadway, having played for over 12 years.

Broadway Coming To a Theater Near You

If you can't see the final performance of the long-running Broadway musical Rent on Broadway, then don't worry - you can just catch it at the cineplex. Rent will be a part of "The Hot Ticket," a new venture that will put filmed versions of live performance and sporting events into movie houses. Rent, which will have its final Broadway performance on September 7, will be coming to movie theaters at a later date to be announced.

Broadway's Rent Wins Easter Bonnet Contest

True to its inspirational story about people living with HIV and AIDS, the long-running Broadway musical Rent raised the most money ($277,000!) for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS in the annual Easter Bonnet Competition that takes place this time each year between the various Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. For the actual Easter bonnet presentation portion of the contest, Sunday in the Park with George took the top prize. To get discount tickets to see either of these great Broadway shows, click here.

Rent Extends Its Lease On Broadway

The Broadway musical Rent, which previously announced that its closing date would be June 1, has extended its Broadway run until September 7. Many people predicted this extension would happen as soon as the June 1 date was announced, because ticket demand tends to shoot way up anytime a long-running Broadway show posts its closing notice. Rent, in particular, has a devoted fan base that no doubt bought up numerous tickets when they found out their favorite Broadway musical would be closing soon. In fact, the show's producers have endeavored to do right by the fans who specifically bought tickets for what was to be the final week of Rent's run by allowing them to exchange those tickets for performances during the extension period.

Rent's Original Broadway Leads To Go On Tour

Adam Pascal and Anthony Rapp, who starred as Roger and Mark in the original Broadway company of Rent, will be reprising the roles they originated in a new national tour of the musical starting early 2009. In addition to creating the roles of Roger, the HIV-positive rocker, and Mark, the aspiring filmmaker, on Broadway, Pascal and Rapp also played the parts in the recent film version of Rent. Last year, the pair even briefly returned to the Broadway production. With the Broadway incarnation of Rent now scheduled to close in June, fans of the musical can have this new tour to look forward to.

Rent To Close On Broadway June 1st

It's been rumored for years, but Rent has finally posted its Broadway closing notice. The seventh longest running Broadway musical of all time has announced that its final performance at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City will be on June 1st. News of the impending closing will undoubtedly drive up ticket sales, making it very possible that the show will actually extend through the summer -- but that remains to be seen.

The closing of Rent will be the end of an era. A contemporary take on Puccini's La Boheme, Rent opened in 1996 to rave reviews and brought a whole new generation to Broadway. The youth-oriented musical introduced the practice of selling discounted front row orchestra tickets for $20 on the day of performance, prompting many devoted fans to spend the night on line in front of the theater (until they began distributing tickets via lottery).

If you haven't yet seen this groundbreaking musical on Broadway, or if you're a "Rent-head" wanting to catch it again before the end, find out how to get your discount tickets here.

Original Stars Return to Rent on Broadway

Rent-heads rejoice! Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, the actors who created Mark and Roger in the original Broadway production of Rent over 10 years ago, are returning to the Nederlander stage tonight to reprise their roles. Rapp and Pascal are expected to remain with the musical for a six-week run. To get your tickets to see Rent on Broadway at a discount, subscribe to the Broadway Discount Ticket Guide.