ORLANDO, Fla. – How do you measure a year? Does it include seeing a one-night-only concert that’s bringing the iconic score from “RENT” to life?
“RENT in Concert” features an ensemble of vocalists and instrumentalists celebrating Jonathan Larson’s Tony Award-winning musical about love, friendship, and living for today.
Set in New York City’s East Village, the show follows a year in the life of a struggling group of young artists and musicians, with some of them fighting HIV/AIDS.
Kris Carrasco plays Angel. He says this is a dream role and explained how he was first introduced to the musical.
“My very first director, who took a young, awkward, deeply troubled young person under their wing, introduced me to the musical. He was on Broadway when it first premiered and would tell me stories about calling out of his musical to go and rush the show,” said Carrasco.
“He had never seen queer people on stage like this and couldn’t get enough! Angel was the first time I ever saw anyone like me on stage and it gave me the courage to pursue this dream. I’m incredibly grateful to make my National Tour debut in celebration of the 30th anniversary of this iconic piece,” Carrasco shared.
Joseph DiPietro is part of the ensemble. He explained how the show was put together before going on tour.
“We rehearsed for four days in New York before a rehearsal and our opening performance,” DiPietro said.
“Hearing the orchestra was insane. The show is typically done with a band of 5, and we have an orchestra of 19. There are these beautiful arrangements that aren’t on the recording, my favorite are the violins in “One Song Glory” and “Tango Maureen”. Give them a listen," DiPietro went on to explain.
The performance in Orlando will also have beloved songs like “Seasons of Love,” “La Vie Bohème” and “Take Me or Leave Me.”
You can catch “RENT In Concert” on March 14 at 8 p.m. inside the Walt Disney Theater at Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.