The company of “Rent.”
After more than a year, the curtains are rising again and Broadway is back in Detroit. This season, Broadway will welcome the return of a crowd favorite for its opening. The Fisher Theatre will present the “Rent” 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour.
For more than 25 years, creator Jonathan Larson’s “Rent” has inspired generations to choose love, create a personal sense of family and live unapologetically. It has also cultivated a growing following of watchers. The stage play, which is both a Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winner, takes viewers on a journey through the lives of a group of friends chasing their dreams, falling in love and facing devastating loss.
“In October it will be 60 years since the Fisher Theatre reopened as a legitimate Broadway Theatre,” said Alan Lichtenstein, Broadway In Detroit executive director. “And now, 842,400 minutes since our last performance, we’re ready to begin a new era of Broadway performances with one of Detroit’s favorite shows, ‘Rent.’ Ring the bells, flash the lights, our intermission is coming to an end.”
The show will feature several returning Black cast members reprising their roles in the final presentation of “Rent.” Among those returning is Shafiq Hicks who plays Tom Collins.
“Just being back after a 17-month period of nobody with any huge major theatre works, or people not being able to enter back into the theatre and things like that; to have that has been a little overwhelming to be honest because I didn’t even think it would be possible for theatre to come back, but yet here it is,” said Hicks. “I’m just honored to be here. I’m honored that they called me back after the first tour and I’m honored to just be doing theatre because I know there are so many theatre artists out there now who may not have a job.”
For actors and other theatre professionals, the months following the onset of the pandemic proved to be some of the most difficult. Like others, this industry was hit hard with closures caused by the coronavirus. To stay busy, artists began to tap into other avenues that helped them to survive the pandemic.
“I think the pinnacle of the pandemic was probably opening my vocal studio. I also got to record an album,” said Hicks.
Tickets for the 25th anniversary show will start at $39 which will also include parking. Broadway In Detroit will also offer seats in the first rows of the Main Floor section for $20 for every performance of “Rent.” These specially priced tickets are available for in-person purchases at the Fisher Theatre Box Office on the day of each performance only, two hours prior to the show. These tickets are limited to two tickets per person.
In an effort to keep staff and guests safe, the Fisher Theatre will take the lead of Broadway and other concert venues in requiring guests to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test within 72 hours of showtime. Guests will also be requested to stay masked.
Originally premiering off-Broadway on February 13, 1996, at the New York Theatre Workshop, the play debuted on Broadway two months later on April 29, 1996.
This is the final chance for lovers of “Rent” to see the play onstage at the Fisher Theatre before its last curtain down. Tickets will be available in person at the Fisher Theatre Box Office, online or via phone. There will be a limited number of premium seats available through Ticketmaster and at the Fisher Theatre Box Office.
““Rent” is such an amazing story of love, triumph and loss as well as relationship and friendship and what that all encompasses. I’m excited to be able to tell that story with the people I’m telling it with, but also with the people who are going to see it,” said Hicks.
“Rent” 25th Anniversary Farewell Tour will be on stage October 19 through October 24.
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