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TV Media Weekly | January 26 - February 1, 2019 By Kyla Brewer TV Media T elevision offers a respite for many weary viewers, but there's nothing like the thrill of live theater. A major broadcaster is about to make live performance more ac- cessible with a televised produc- tion of one of Broadway's most beloved musicals. Seven struggling artists reach for their dreams in New York City's East Village in an era of po- litical and social unrest in a live/ tape delayed production of "Rent," airing Sunday, Jan. 27, on Fox. Inspired by Giacomo Puc - cini's "La Bohème," "Rent" was written by late composer and playwright Jonathan Larson, who also wrote the music and lyrics. The show first premiered Off- Broadway at the New York The- atre Workshop on Jan. 25, 1996, before moving to Broadway in April of the same year. Unfortu- nately, Larson didn't live to see its Off-Broadway premiere, as he died of an aortic dissection that morning, at the age of 35. He was awarded a number of post - humous awards for the rock mu- sical, including three Tonys and a Pulitzer Prize. It's been more than 20 years since the play first premiered, but many feel that it's just as rele- vant today as it was back then. "The title is so iconic, the mu- sic is so beloved, and the themes are as meaningful today as they were when the show first pre- miered on Broadway," Fox exec- utives Dana Walden and Gary Newman said in an official release. "Rent" was a groundbreaking production in the '90s because it addressed AIDS, homophobia, addiction and other taboo sub- jects, and producers have assem- bled top caliber talent to bring the story to a whole new genera- tion. Some of the world's most renowned musical theater artists take to the soundstage for this television version. Jordan Fisher ("Liv and Mad- die") stars as Mark Cohen, a Jewish-American filmmaker who also serves as the narrator of the show. Country music singer- songwriter Brennin Hunt ("Nash- ville") plays Mark's roommate and best friend, a struggling mu- sician named Roger Davis. Mark and Roger's former roommate- turned-landlord Benjamin Coffin III is portrayed by R&B artist Ma- rio ("Step Up," 2006). Tony and Emmy-nominated actor Brandon Victor Dixon ("Jesus Christ Su- perstar Live in Concert") has been cast as Mark and Roger's friend, Tom Collins, a computer scientist who returns to New York after being expelled from MIT. One-time Disney darling Vanessa Hudgens ("High School Musical," 2006) stars as Mark's ex-girlfriend, Maureen. Kiersey Clemons ("Dope," 2015) appears as Maureen's girlfriend, Joanne Jefferson, an Ivy League-educat- ed lawyer. Pop singer Tinashe ("The Polar Express," 2004) tack- les the role of Mimi Marquez, a dancer who struggles with addic- tion. Finally, drag queen Valenti- na ("RuPaul's Drag Race") makes her debut as Angel, a drag queen and street musician. Performing alongside such seasoned artists may be intimi- dating to some, but Valentina seems to be handling it all with her usual poise. When "ET's" Kel- tie Knight stopped by the set of the live musical in November, she spoke with Valentina and Dixon about the upcoming production and asked Valentina about the show. "I'm definitely taking on a lot, but I'm so excited, especially be- cause it's live because, mama- girl, I'm always live," Valentina quipped. Dixon was equally optimistic about the televised version of the musical: "I think particularly at this time with a lot of the distress and the conflict we see, I think it's so important to see a group of friends that really learn and discover that love transforms anything," Dixon said. "Love transforms disease — the dis- ease of prejudice, disease itself, transforms the disease of pover- ty, xenophobia, patriarchy. Our message is to measure yourself in love — the love you give and the love you allow yourself to receive." The original Broadway run of "Rent" lasted 12 years, was per- formed 5,123 times and grossed more than $280 million. There have been a number of national tours as well, in addition to inter- national productions performed in 25 languages. In 2005, Chris Columbus ("Home Alone," 1990) directed a big-screen adaptation of the musical starring most of the original Broadway cast. Through the magic of televi- sion, Fox brings "Rent's" uplift- ing message to millions of people who may not otherwise have the opportunity to see it, whether because of cost, location or other factors. There was a time when many of the programs shown on television were live, but these days live TV isn't as common. However, Fox's live production of "Rent" is part of a growing trend among major broadcasters, who have been struggling to compete with on-demand and streaming services. In 2013, NBC kicked off the recent trend with "The Sound of Music Live" starring Carrie Underwood ("American Idol"), and followed it up with "Peter Pan Live" (2014), "The Wiz Live" (2015), "Hairspray Live" (2016) and "Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert" (2018). Fox's past of- ferings include "The Passion" (2016), "Grease: Live" (2016) and "A Christmas Story Live" (2017). Such programs have fared well in the ratings department and "Rent" has the potential to be a hit. At times gritty and heartbreaking, the story has res- onated with thousands, if not millions, of theater-goers, some of whom even refer to them- selves as RENT-heads. Now, many more will have the oppor- tunity to see the show as the mu- sical "Rent," premieres Sunday, Jan. 27, on Fox. "Valentina as seen in "Rent" Sing out: Fox brings Broadway to television with 'Rent' 2 | Cover story A/Grindstone Charlie's B/Norris Insurance 1 x 4" Encompass Credit Union 5 x 2"

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