Fox’s live television production ofJonathan Larson’s award-winning rock musicalRentended on Sunday on an emotional note.
Moments after the three-hour story came to an end, members of the original Broadway production joined the television cast for a touching encore ofRent‘s inspiring anthem, “Seasons of Love.”
Idina Menzel (Maureen), Anthony Rapp (Mark), Adam Pascal (Roger), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Mimi), Jesse L. Martin (Tom Collins), Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Angel), Fredi Walker (Joanne) and Taye Diggs (Benny) — as well as ensemble members Gilles Chiasson, Rodney Hicks, and Timothy Britten Parker — were among the original actors who appeared in the number.
All stood in a straight row, with the respective stars playing their roles on Fox standing behind them.
Those actors included Vanessa Hudgens (Maureen), Jordan Fisher (Mark), Brennin Hunt (Roger), Tinashe (Mimi), Brandon Victor Dixon (Tom Collins), Valentina (Angel), Kiersey Clemons (Joanne) and Mario (Benny), as well actors from the ensemble like Emerson Collins, Jennifer Leigh Warren and Keala Settle.
Loosely based on the operaLa Boheme,Renttells the story of a group of New York City artists dealing with the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1989. Songs include “La Vie Bohème,” “Light My Candle,” “Take Me or Leave Me,” ” The Tango Maureen,” “Will I,” “One Song Glory,” and “Today 4 U.”
His musical would go on to receive critical acclaim and commercial success. The show opened on Broadway on April, 29, 1996 and ran for 5,123 performances before closing on Sep. 07, 2008. It won several awards, including the 1996 Tony for best musical and the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Rent‘s success of the show led to several national tours and numerous international productions, including a 20th anniversary tour that kicked off in 2016.
Pamela Littky/FOX
source: people.com
