Following the success of similar projects like Grease Live and Hairspray Live, a new live musical production by Fox is set to air in January. This time around, it’s the iconic and impactful RENT.
If you’ve somehow gone all of your life without the lyrics “five hundred twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes” sounding at all familiar to you — then, I’m not going to judge. At least now you have the perfect opportunity to experience this story for the first time. Just get ready for a rock musical that delves into the painful realities of starving artists and the HIV/AIDS epidemic of the 1990s.
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While I personally think the 2005 film already had a shining cast with beautifully performed roles, this one might just give it a run for its money. Leading the cast as the resident filmmaker and narrator of the story is Jordan Fisher (Hamilton) as Mark. Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical, Grease Live, Gigi)Â also makes for an impactful presence in the teaser as Maureen.
Other notable names include Brandon Victor Dixon (Hamilton, Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert) as Tom Collins,  Tinashe (Dancing With the Stars) as Mimi, and Valentina (RuPaul’s Drag Race) as Angel. Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman) is also set to sing a special solo in the opening number, Seasons of Love.
Rent Live is set to air on January 27, 2019, at 7 PM (in what I hope is Eastern Standard Time — pun intended).
