Bucks County Playhouse will mark the 30th anniversary of Jonathan Larson’s rock musical “Rent” with a new production that honors the show’s legacy while introducing its story of love, friendship and community to a new generation.
Directed and choreographed by two-time Tony Award nominee Jennifer Weber, whose Broadway credits include “& Juliet” and “KPOP,” the production runs Aug. 13 through Sept. 13.
The cast is led by Austin Turner, who appeared in “Rent” at North Shore Music Theatre, as Roger Davis; Sam Primack of Broadway’s “Dear Evan Hansen” as Mark Cohen; Alysia Velez of Broadway’s “Into the Woods” as Mimi Marquez; and Owen Scales of Fulton Theatre’s “Frozen” as Tom Collins.
David Merino, whose Broadway credits include “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” and “Moulin Rouge! The Musical,” plays Angel Schunard. Veronica Otim of Broadway’s “& Juliet” and “Redwood” plays Joanne Jefferson, while Tiernan Tunnicliffe of “& Juliet” plays Maureen Johnson. Kevin Trinio Perdido of Broadway’s “Once Upon a One More Time” plays Benjamin Coffin III.
The company also includes Dré Hinds of the national tour of “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical”; Aubrey Jones of Pace University’s “Pippin”; Jack Hopewell of the national tour of “Jesus Christ Superstar”; Michael Marrero of the national tour of “Peter Pan”; JP Qualters of the national tour of “Mrs. Doubtfire”; Lauren Soto of Broadway’s “Mamma Mia!”; and Sunayna Smith of Bucks County Playhouse’s “Grease.”
The creative team includes scenic designer Tom Rogers, costume designer Nicole V. Moody, hair and wig designer J. Jared Janas, lighting designer Yael Lubetzky, sound designer Ashton Michael Corey, props supervisor Anya Kutner, music director Alexander Tom and production stage manager Amy Rauchwerger.
Since its Broadway premiere in 1996, “Rent” has inspired generations with its score and story of friendship, resilience and chosen family. The musical won the Pulitzer Prize for drama and four Tony Awards, including best musical.
Rather than attempting to recreate the original production, Weber is approaching “Rent” as a living work of theater that remains rooted in New York City’s East Village of the 1990s while speaking to contemporary audiences.
“‘Rent’ is 30 years old, but we still tend to think about it as if it was written yesterday,” Weber said. “There are people in our cast who weren’t even born when ‘Rent’ premiered. They’re discovering this story with fresh eyes, and that creates an exciting conversation between the original generation of ‘Rent’ fans and a new generation experiencing it for the first time.”
Known for her physical storytelling, Weber has created a choreographic language through which the characters express emotion, explore memory and experience connection.
Inspired by her own years living in a New York artists’ loft, Weber envisions the production’s central setting as a creative hub where artists gather, collaborate, struggle, celebrate and find community.
“I want audiences to reconnect with ‘Rent’ in a way that feels present,” Weber said. “I want people to hear the music differently because of what they see on stage.”
Producing Artistic Director BT McNicholl said Weber’s approach preserves the musical’s central themes while allowing audiences to see the story from a new perspective.
“‘Rent’ has earned its place among the defining works of American musical theater because it speaks so honestly about love, loss, hope and community,” McNicholl said. “Jennifer’s vision honors the heart of Jonathan Larson’s remarkable musical while revealing new layers that make this story feel immediate, deeply human and as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.”
Set in New York City’s East Village during the height of the AIDS epidemic, “Rent” follows a close-knit group of artists navigating friendship, love, loss and the pursuit of their dreams.
The score includes “Seasons of Love,” “La Vie Bohème,” “Take Me or Leave Me” and “I’ll Cover You.”
The production is the fourth show in Bucks County Playhouse’s 2026 season, sponsored by Bank of America. Nurture Spa of New Hope is the production sponsor. “Rent” is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.
Performances run Aug. 13 through Sept. 13 at Bucks County Playhouse in New Hope. For tickets and information, visit buckscountyplayhouse.org or call the box office at 215-862-2121.
Bucks County Playhouse was founded in 1939 by a group of Broadway artists. The theater is marking the 14th anniversary of its 2012 reopening and restoration by the Bridge Street Foundation. It welcomes more than 80,000 patrons annually.
Beginning in 2014, Tony Award-winning producers Alexander Fraser, Robyn Goodman and Josh Fiedler led the Playhouse’s artistic revitalization.
Productions of “Company,” starring Justin Guarini, and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” were named to The Wall Street Journal’s Best of Theater list in 2015. In 2018, the Journal recognized the Playhouse and artistic associate Hunter Foster for its production of “42nd Street.”
The following year, the publication called Bucks County Playhouse “one of the best regional theaters on the East Coast.”
The Playhouse has since presented productions including “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story,” “Steel Magnolias,” “The Rocky Horror Show,” “Grease,” “Anastasia: The Musical,” “White Christmas” and “Elf: The Musical,” which became the highest-grossing production in Playhouse history.
In 2022, the Playhouse produced Candace Bushnell’s “Is There Still Sex in the City?,” directed by Lorin Latarro. The production later transferred off-Broadway.
Now led by McNicholl, the Playhouse continues to produce musical theater and develop new work. A Broadway director, producer and educator, McNicholl has staged productions in the United States and internationally.
