The multi-award-winning Broadway rock musical RENT Christchurch audiences will get to see what has inspired such devotion this summer as RENT takes the stage at The Court Theatre. This ground-breaking production follows a group of artists struggling and striving to follow their dreams in Book, music and lyrics by JONATHAN LARSON An enduring celebration of life and friendship Described as "the best show in years, if not decades (Variety) when it opened in 1996, the musical RENT has become a true pop-culture phenomenon garnering legions of avid fans worldwide known as RENT-heads. New York City against a backdrop of poverty, looming gentrification and the AIDS crisis of the 1990s. Directed by LARA MACGREGOR Xuaioal Direction by RICHARD KARRETT Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International (Australasia). 19 NOV 2022 to 21 JAN 2023 A lot has changed in the world since then but what RENT does best is to capture the things that endure, especially the urgency and energy of living life to the fullest, even when it is being torn apart at the seams. OPENS NEXT WEEK BOOK AT COURTTHEATRE.ORG.NZ Celebrating love and friendship that is brave in the face of danger, loving when confronted by hate and hopeful against all odds, RENT is a Pulitzer Prize and multiple SEASON SPONSOR RRYMAN Tony Award winner, whose characters were based on the friends of its young writer, Jonathan Larson. Larson himself never witnessed the love and critical acclaim the show has since won, dying unexpectedly the morning the show was due to open. The Court Theatre team is currently building the world of the East Village of 1990s New York, which is itself a major 'character in RENT. The East Village was a place where punk, performance art and drag performance grew and flourished, and which was a vital social environment as much as a physical one. ADVERTISEMENT The set is inspired in large part by the iconic nightclub CBGBS and theatre-goers will experience first-hand the multi-layered vibrancy, rawness and emotion of this unique time and place, as well as a range of seasons, on and around the The Court's stage. Packed with high-energy musical numbers, including revered hits "Seasons of Love", "Take Me or Leave Me" and "La Vie Bohème", RENT is one of the most uplifting and beloved musicals ever. This summer, discover a new way to measure time, and live "La Vie Bohème" with the people of RENT. RENT plays at The Court Theatre 19 November 2022 - 21 January 2023. CORE FUNDER creative Enz en Salama Makinas SHOW SPONSOR GOLDEN HEALTHCARE GROUP THE COURT THEATRE The multi - award - winning Broadway rock musical RENT Christchurch audiences will get to see what has inspired such devotion this summer as RENT takes the stage at The Court Theatre . This ground - breaking production follows a group of artists struggling and striving to follow their dreams in Book , music and lyrics by JONATHAN LARSON An enduring celebration of life and friendship Described as " the best show in years , if not decades ( Variety ) when it opened in 1996 , the musical RENT has become a true pop - culture phenomenon garnering legions of avid fans worldwide known as RENT - heads . New York City against a backdrop of poverty , looming gentrification and the AIDS crisis of the 1990s . Directed by LARA MACGREGOR Xuaioal Direction by RICHARD KARRETT Licensed exclusively by Music Theatre International ( Australasia ) . 19 NOV 2022 to 21 JAN 2023 A lot has changed in the world since then but what RENT does best is to capture the things that endure , especially the urgency and energy of living life to the fullest , even when it is being torn apart at the seams . OPENS NEXT WEEK BOOK AT COURTTHEATRE.ORG.NZ Celebrating love and friendship that is brave in the face of danger , loving when confronted by hate and hopeful against all odds , RENT is a Pulitzer Prize and multiple SEASON SPONSOR RRYMAN Tony Award winner , whose characters were based on the friends of its young writer , Jonathan Larson . Larson himself never witnessed the love and critical acclaim the show has since won , dying unexpectedly the morning the show was due to open . The Court Theatre team is currently building the world of the East Village of 1990s New York , which is itself a major ' character in RENT . The East Village was a place where punk , performance art and drag performance grew and flourished , and which was a vital social environment as much as a physical one . ADVERTISEMENT The set is inspired in large part by the iconic nightclub CBGBS and theatre - goers will experience first - hand the multi - layered vibrancy , rawness and emotion of this unique time and place , as well as a range of seasons , on and around the The Court's stage . Packed with high - energy musical numbers , including revered hits " Seasons of Love " , " Take Me or Leave Me " and " La Vie Bohème " , RENT is one of the most uplifting and beloved musicals ever . This summer , discover a new way to measure time , and live " La Vie Bohème " with the people of RENT . RENT plays at The Court Theatre 19 November 2022 - 21 January 2023 . CORE FUNDER creative Enz en Salama Makinas SHOW SPONSOR GOLDEN HEALTHCARE GROUP THE COURT THEATRE