See ‘Rent’ at ACE While You Still Can

A group of young artists in Lower Manhattan’s East Village fight to survive the struggles of the ’80s — AIDS, greed and love — in Rent, a Broadway musical inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s 1896 opera La Bohème.

The show follows the lives of Benny (Matt Arscott), Maureen (Zoe Banuelos), Collins (Gene Chin), Mark (Josh Cole), Roger (Eve), Joanne (Sarah Landstrom), Angel (Cody Mendonca) and Mimi (Amy Robbins) as they find a space for themselves while following their callings to measure their lives in love. Beginning on Christmas Eve, the story depicts identities from multiracial backgrounds and within the LGBTQ+ community who have no money, no power and few solutions on how to live happily in their world.

Michael P. Watkins has directed a cast of 16 actors for the ACE production, which wraps up with its final performance Saturday, July 8. Watkins says the original production was designed for a much larger space, creating a challenge for a production at Actors Cabaret with its tiny stage.

“I always try to put my own spin on it. It’s written for a much larger space, so it was a challenge to put it in this space, but it makes it more intimate and people can become more involved emotionally,” Watkins says.

He says the show is being received well by audiences night after night, and this final performance is a chance for the community to enjoy the work that has been created.

“It was a fine group of people with good voices. It’s a hugely popular show and it touches people, especially if they love the show,” he says.

The last performances of Rent at Actors Cabaret, 996 Willamette Street, are Friday, July 7, and Saturday, July 8, with doors opening at 6 pm and curtain at 7:30 pm. Tickets and more info at ActorsCabaret.org.

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

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None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!