Palo Alto Players has announced the availability of a limited number of student “rush” tickets for their upcoming production of Jonathan Larson’s Rent, opening April 24, 2010 at the Lucie Stern Theater in Palo Alto. This much-loved and multiple award-winning musical will have a paid preview on April 23 and will run for eleven performances through May 9.

Following in the show’s tradition of providing financially-strapped students an opportunity to see theatre on the cheap, Palo Alto Players will offer 20 student rush tickets per performance of Rent starting on April 24th. These tickets will be available at the Lucie Stern box office one hour before show time to any student 25 years old and under for $20 apiece. (Price includes $1 city facilities fee. Buyer must show valid student ID to purchase. Limit one ticket per person, per ID.) Only 20 “rush” tickets will be available per performance; additional seats will be available at regular price depending on availability.

There must be 525,600 reasons to experience this breathtaking re-imagining of Puccini’s La Bohème as it follows the triumphs and tragedies of eight young bohemians in New York’s East Village. Mark, Roger, Mimi and their urban tribe of friends and lovers search for inspiration, passion, and identity in a world rife with heartache and pain. As they face challenges of poverty, mortality and…paying the rent…they discover beauty in the grit and grime of Manhattan and come to realize life is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today.  Rent has been a hit with audiences and critics alike and has become a cultural phenomenon since its first wildly popular performance in 1996.

Rent plays from April 24 through May 9, 2010. There is a paid preview performance on Friday, April 23. The curtain lifts at 8:00pm Thursday through Saturday and 2:30pm on Sundays. Regular ticket prices are $20 for the Friday preview performance; $30 for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees; and $31 for the Opening Saturday Gala on April 24. Following the opening night performance, the audience is invited to join cast and crew for a gala reception with complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Rent is the fourth offering in Palo Alto Players’ 79th season dedicated to the importance of “Making Every Minute Count”. The season will conclude in June with the longest running comedy in Off-Broadway and Los Angeles history, Jewtopia by Bryan Fogel and Sam Wolfson.

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