A preview of FIU Theatre’s ‘Rent,’ Part V

Tonight is the night: FIU Theatre’s staging of the Pulitzer- and Tony-winning rock opera debuts at MMC where it will play in the Main Stage of the Wertheim Performing Arts Center for three weeks.

Any Rent-head knows what those famous numbers that open the show’s signature song, “Seasons of Love,” mean and what composer and playwright Jonathan Larson wanted to elicit out of his audience (i.e., reflection, IOHO).

Really – just go “Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes” and fans of the show…nah, of the theatre…know.

The cast of FIU Theatre's "Rent."

As the ticking of the clock races to tonight’s curtain call for the debut of the FIU Theatre production of Rent, guest-directed by show vet Andy Señor ’97, we thought we would give you a rundown of the show by its numbers.

After all, we have al ready introduced you to the show’s musical director, Emmanuel Schvartzman ’09; its costume designer, Angelina Esposito; and its scenic and lighting designers, assistant professors Jesse Dreikosen and Anthony Galaska.

Eight cast members and 14 ensemble members will be on stage for two hours for the next three weeks, putting on 12 shows that each and every one of you is invited to attend.

They will perform 43 songs – including, of course, “Seasons of Love” – accompanied by three band members, changing into 43 eye-catching costumes (at least one of which promises to be a surprise) between two acts.

The FIU Theatre production of Rent will be staged in the Herbert & Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center’s Main Stage at Modesto A. Maidique Campus Nov. 4-6, Nov. 11-13, and Nov. 18-21 at 8 p.m.

Sunday shows – Nov. 7, Nov. 14, and Nov. 21 – are set for 2 p.m.

For tickets ($20 for general admission; $18 for seniors, non-FIU students and FIU faculty/staff; $15 for FIU students) and more information, click here.