Arts and Entertainment

Penn State Centre Stage presents 'Rent'

Penn State Centre Stage production will be held Nov. 15 to Dec. 3 at the Pavilion Theatre

Actors Minju Michele Lee, left, and Owen Smith rehearse a scene from the Penn State Centre Stage production of "Rent." The show will open at the Pavilion Theatre on Penn State's University Park campus Nov. 15. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Centre Stage will present Jonathan Larson's "Rent" — directed and choreographed by Christine O'Grady, with music directed by David Wolfson — starting Nov. 15 and running on various dates through Dec. 3 at the Pavilion Theatre on the University Park campus.

For a quarter of a century, Jonathan Larson’s "Rent" has inspired us to choose love over fear and to live without regret. This Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning phenomenon follows a year in the lives of a diverse group of artists and friends struggling to follow their dreams without selling out.

"Rent" has become more than a musical — it’s a cultural touchstone, a rite of passage and a source of joy and strength for millions. It has become a part of us forever. With its inspiring message of joy and hope in the face of fear, this timeless celebration of friendship and creativity reminds us to measure our lives with the only thing that truly matters — love.

"Twenty-five years later, a new generation of artists are looking for their place in the world. The world looks very different now than it did in 1989, but that doesn’t diminish 'Rent's' value at all. People find joy within heartbreak, love amidst fear, and strength through vulnerability," wrote dramaturg Sylvie Vanstory.

Evening performances at 7:30 p.m. are $25; preview performance at 7:30 p.m. is $20; and tickets for students are $12.50. For additional show information, visit the Penn State Centre Stage website.

Last Updated November 7, 2022

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