ASPIRE PERFORMING ARTS COMPANY PRESENTS "RENT: SCHOOL EDITION" IN MONTVILLE, NEW JERSEY
WHEN: Friday, July 18, at 7:00PM, on Saturday, July 19, at 2:00PM and 7:00PM, and on Sunday, July 20, at 2:00PM.
WHERE: Barn Theatre, 32 Skyline Dr., Montville
TICKETS: $22 in advance and available at aspirepac.ludus.com or $25 at the door.
Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent: School Edition is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Rent: School Edition is directed by Joey Nasta, a New York City-based actor, director, and producer. At Aspire PAC, he previously directed She Kills Monsters, Newsies JR., and the pilot production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory JR. Recently, he performed as Monty Navarro in A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder with the Light Opera of New Jersey and in Christmas at the Playhouse at the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse. Joey frequently works as a co-producer with off-Broadway producing collectives Honigman & Sons, and is Executive Producer of Spokehouse Productions, a site-specific theatre company that has produced work across NYC, from inside Vanderbilt mansions to Williamsburg bars.
The production team includes Lisa Beth Vettoso, Artistic Director/Producer; K. Leigh Weinman, Music Director; Melanie Della Peruti, Choreographer; Gina Gugliuzza, Stage Manager; Ren Bailey, Production Assistant; and Cheryl Wilbur, Production Manager.
“Rent was a groundbreaking piece of musical theatre—raw, emotional, and deeply human,” says Artistic Director Lisa Beth Vettoso. “We’re thrilled to be working with this incredibly talented group of young actors as they take on such a challenging and meaningful show. Rent holds an important place in the modern musical theatre canon, and it’s exciting to see the next generation connect with its message of love, loss, and living without regret.”
The cast of 36 includes: Cast A: Jalan Royal as Mark, Sofia Morales as Mimi, Nicholas Bordoni as Roger, Catherine Golioto as Maureen, Kira King as Joanne, Ben Altstadter as Collins, Sydney Lind as Angel, Carsten Braun as Benny, Brynn Buckley as Mrs. Cohen, Gavin Ali as Mr. Jefferson, Violet Gatch as Roger’s Mom, Emily Arambulo as Mimi’s Mom; Cast B: Nathan Kossoy as Mark, Nicole Neyra as Mimi, Zachary Gray as Roger, Peyton Greenaway as Maureen, Emma Cieslik as Joanne, Matt Abad as Collins, Connor Byrne as Angel, Joshua Bienskie-Jackson as Benny, Megan MacDonald as Mrs. Cohen, David Shmulyian as Mr. Jefferson, Fiona MacLean as Roger’s Mom, Georgina Lopez as Mimi’s Mom.
Performing in all shows are Deijah Kelly as Seasons of Love Soloist 1/Alexi Darling, Tyler Flanagan as Blanket Man/Restaurant Manager, Jorge Heras as Mr. Grey/Life Support (Gordon), Anara Sullivan as Mrs. Jefferson/Life Support (Paula), Fabian Gallego as Squeegieman/Seasons of Love Soloist 2, and the Featured Ensemble: Charlie Bisig, Satyrn Liang, Hannah McConnell, Delaney Piccoli, Jessica Stein, Ava Tully, and Andrew Voza.
Aspire PAC, established in 2011, has earned a strong reputation in the Northern New Jersey area. Since 2016, Aspire has received 19 New Jersey Association of Community Theaters (NJACT) Award nominations – including Best Overall Production for its 2023 production of The Addams Family - four Broadway World Regional Awards (50+ nominations), and 35 National Youth Arts Awards (50+ nominations).
For more information, visit aspirepac.com or find Aspire on social media @aspirepac.