Fox has announced that the network’s next live musical will be the hit show “Rent.”
And the company has a few pretty big names cast as the leads.
Vanessa Hudgens will step into the role of Maureen. The character, who is a performance artist who protests a real estate development, was originally played by Idina Menzel on both stage and screen.
Hudgens starred as Rizzo in Fox's live broadcast of "Grease" last year, Entertainment Weekly reported.
Maureen's girlfriend Joanne will be played by Kiersey Clemons. Clemons is known for her roles on "Austin & Ally" and "Transparent." She is also starring in the upcoming live-action version of Disney's "Lady and the Tramp."
Singer and "Dancing With the Stars" winner Jordan Fisher will play Mark Cohen , an aspiring filmmaker, originally played in both the Broadway musical and film adaption by Anthony Rapp.
Brennin Hunt and Tinashe will play Roger Davis, a singer, and Mimi Marquez an adult dancer, who fall in love and who are both HIV positive, EW reported.
Valentina, from "RuPaul's Drag Race," will play Angel, a drag queen and drummer who falls in love with professor Tom Collins.
Collins will be played by Brandon Victor Dixon, who played Judas in "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert" opposite John Legend.
Mario, who was discovered at the age of 11 and signed a contract with Clive Davis three years later, will portray Benjamin Coffin III, the former roommate of Roger’s and Mark’s who is now developing his old neighborhood, according to Fox.
The musical’s signature song “Seasons of Love,” which is normally performed by the ensemble cast, will feature “The Greatest Showman’s” Keala Settle.
This isn't the first time Settle lent her voice to "Rent." She sang "Take Me or Leave Me" with Anika Larsen for "From Broadway with Love: A Benefit Concert for Orlando." in 2016."
“Rent” won a Tony and Pulitzer prize during its original run in New York City. It was written by Jonathan Larson and is based on the opera “La Boheme.” Larson won the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for the book, music and lyrics. The show also won the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical. Larson died Jan. 25, 1996, 10 days before his 36th birthday, according to Fox.
“Rent” will air live on Jan. 27, 2019 at 7p.m. ET on Fox. It will be played on tape delay for the Pacific time zone.
The live broadcast will be shot at Fox Studios in Los Angeles. and will be directed by the show’s original director Michael Greif who will oversee the stage direction, and Alex Rudzinski, who will oversee the live television side of the production.
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