Chicago RENT Audiences Raise Over $60,000 For BC/EFA

Last week, Chicago audiences for RENT showed their generosity and support for those in need despite tough economic times by raising more than $60,000 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. In addition to collecting donations in the lobby each night, monies were raised in special on-stage, live auctions. RENT's very own Anthony Rapp, joined by fellow cast members including Adam Pascal, personally auctioned off two unique prizes: a walk-on role and a chance to shadow the stage manager during a performance of RENT in Chicago.

At last weekend's performances, five lucky RENT fans bid on and won once-in-a-lifetime opportunities - dreams for any fan of the production. Two fans won the chance to shadow a stage manager during a performance and three winners will make their RENT debut in a walk-on role in the hit musical now playing through April 12 at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts Oriental Theatre.

Lucky fans, Katy Tokieda, Amanda Kos and Molly McLain won the walk-on roles and will each make their stage debut this week. They will be seen on stage at different points throughout the entire production and specifically appear in "Support Group" and "Performance Piece" during Act 1 and "Seasons of Love B" and "Curtain Call" in Act 2. Tokieda will appear in Wednesday's matinee performance, Kos in Wednesday's evening performance and McLain in Friday's performance. Each also received a pair of tickets for their friends to cheer them on through their debut in RENT.

Winners of the backstage shadow auction are Joe Scheidler and Cynthia Toosley. They will be on headsets getting a backstage view of RENT by following the stage manager's every move as they observe what it takes from the cast and crew to make RENT happen on a nightly basis. They will witness quick changes, make-up and wig preparations and transitions, essentially having a night long meet and greet with the company.

The live auctions in Chicago raised more than $14,000. The RENT cast has been collecting donations for BC/EFA since March 13 in cities on the tour (San Diego, Tempe and Minneapolis), and has raised more than $170,000 to date (including the Chicago donations).

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to present the Chicago engagement of RENT, produced by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, and Allan S. Gordon, for a limited engagement through April 12, 2009. Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, and Gwen Stewart will reprise the roles they originated on Broadway in RENT at the Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre (24 W. Randolph St.).

Upcoming Performances of RENT are as follows:
Wednesday, April 8 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 10 at 8 p.m.
Saturday, April 11 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday, April 12 at 2 p.m.

Individual tickets range in price from $25 to $80. A select number of premium seats are also available. Tickets are available at all Broadway In Chicago Box Offices (24 W. Randolph St., 151 W. Randolph St. and 18 W. Monroe St.); the Broadway In Chicago Ticket Line at (312) 902-1400; all Ticketmaster retail locations (including Hot Tix and select Carson Pirie Scott, Coconuts and fye stores); and online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com. Tickets are available to groups of 20 or more by calling (312) 977-1710.

For more information on RENT visit www.SiteForRent.com or www.BroadwayInChicago.com