Save the date - iconic musical Rent to be staged during Letterkenny Pride

Musical theatre fans are in for a treat as Letterkenny Music and Drama Group brings the Jonathan Larson musical Rent to Donegal.

The show will be staged in An Grianan Theatre as part of Letterkenny Pride Festival 2024.

A spokesperson said: “Under the direction of the uber-talented Mary Lane, Rent will be staged on Friday and Saturday, August 2 and 3.

“Auditions will be in the next few weeks so stay tuned for more details!”

Written by Jonathan Larson, Rent was considered a courageous and groundbreaking piece of musical theatre at the time of its release.

Sadly, Larson died at the age of 35, shortly before Rent premiered Off-Broadway in 1996. Despite his untimely death, the musical and its themes have endured.

Whether people are fans of musical theatre and its power to convey a story through all elements that this art form contains, or whether it is the social message of this show that appeals, audiences are sure to be in for a big treat this August.

About Rent

Rent is a powerful musical that follows the lives of a diverse group of struggling artists and activists in New York City's East Village during the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. 

The story revolves around a group of friends, including filmmaker Mark, musician Roger, drag queen Angel, performance artist Maureen, her girlfriend Joanne, and others, as they navigate love, friendship, and creativity while facing poverty, addiction, and the dark spectre of HIV and AIDS. 

As they strive to pursue their dreams and maintain their sense of community, the characters confront issues of identity, loss, and the meaning of life. 

Through its vibrant score and poignant storytelling, Rent celebrates the resilience and spirit of its characters, capturing the essence of a generation grappling with the harsh realities of existence while finding hope and joy in the midst of adversity.