{"id":319625,"date":"2026-06-25T17:43:20","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T17:43:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/319625\/"},"modified":"2026-06-25T17:43:20","modified_gmt":"2026-06-25T17:43:20","slug":"rents-ensemble-cast-of-high-school-and-college-students-is-outstanding-wgcu-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/319625\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Rent’s’ ensemble cast of high school and college students is outstanding | WGCU News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u201cRent\u2019s\u201d legacy is inseparable from the fight against HIV\/AIDS.<\/p>\n

The musical describes a time when an AIDS diagnosis was a death sentence, and the show conveys the climate of fear, depression and despair felt by those infected with the virus \u2013 such as Roger, an aspiring musician played by Florida Southern College sophomore Tyler Scott.<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Florida Southern College sophomore Tyler Scott plays the part of Roger Davis in ‘Rent.’ <\/p>\n

Roger Davis is sad, despondent and obsessed \u2013 with leaving a permanent mark before he\u2019s gone \u2013 as we learn in \u201cOne Song Glory.\u201d<\/p>\n

Find glory in a song that reigns true
Truth like a blazing fire
An eternal flame
Find one song
A song about love
Glory
From the soul of a young man
A young man
Find the one song before the virus takes hold
Glory
Like a sunset
One song
To redeem this empty life<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you first see him, he’s just kind of, he’s just kind of down,\u201d said Scott. \u201cHe doesn’t want to do anything. Just depressed. And then you kind of see into his character on why he feels that way. And being able to portray the emotion through the songs and acting and the dancing, like, that’s one of my biggest goals.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Tyler<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Tyler Scott and Jay Encalada in the roles of Roger Davis and Mimi Marquez in ‘Rent.’<\/p>\n

Roger\u2019s next door neighbor is Mimi Marquez, played by FGCU sophomore Jay Encalada. She, too, is HIV positive. And she positively wants to be with Roger. But he\u2019s still filled with guilt and self-loathing over the death of his previous girlfriend. So Roger spurns Mimi\u2019s initial overtures in the duet \u201cAnother Day.\u201d<\/p>\n

I can’t control (Control your temper)
My destiny (She doesn\u2019t see)
I trust my soul (Who says that there\u2019s a soul)
My only goal
Is just to be\u00a0(Just let me be)
There’s only now (Who do you think you are)
There’s only here
Give in to love (Barging in on me)
Or live in fear (And my guitar)
No other past (Little girl hey)
No other way (The door is that way)<\/p>\n

\"FGCU<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

FGCU forensic science major Jay Encalada plays Mimi Marquez in ‘Rent.’<\/p>\n

\u201cIt shows the rejection and how I’m mad, but also I’m trying to make him understand that I want him in more than a romantic way \u2026 more of a friend than a romantic way, so that’s definitely my favorite song, and also it just sounds really good.\u201d<\/p>\n

One reason it sounds so good is because of the onstage history she shares with Scott.<\/p>\n

\"Tyler<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Tyler Scott and Jay Encalada have played onstage love interests in several previous shows. <\/p>\n

\u201cDoing a duet with someone, you have to not only feel the connection of whatever you’re saying and you’re dancing with the person, but it just takes such an emotional toll on you,\u201d Encalada noted. \u201cSinging with another person you have to blend with them in a certain way, Working with Tyler’s great. He’s perfect. I’ve played love interests with him many times, so I think we have a little connection there.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Florida Southern College sophomore D’Adrian St. Louis is Tom Collins in ‘Rent.’ <\/p>\n

Florida Southern College sophomore D\u2019Adrian St. Louis plays Tom Collins, a ray of sunshine that pierces the play\u2019s storm clouds \u2014 expressed in the song \u201cSante Fe.\u201d<\/p>\n

All this misery pays no salary, so
Let’s open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
Oh, sunny Santa Fe would be nice
Let’s open up a restaurant in Santa Fe
And leave this to the roaches and mice<\/p>\n

\u201cI just love the number so much because it gives you a sense of hope, especially in the dark time that they were going through,\u201d said St. Louis. \u201cYou know, they found a glimmer of hope and they had a dream and they’re just having fun and they’re singing about it despite everything going on around them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"D'Adrian<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

D’Adrian St. Louis and Gabe Cruz play Tom Collins and Angel in ‘Rent.’ <\/p>\n

St. Louis relished the role of Tom Collins for another reason.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe’s resilient, he’s brave, and he’s determined, no matter what the world around him thinks, and I just think that’s something really beautiful and I think that’s something that we can apply to our world now,\u201d St. Louis explained. \u201cAs much stuff that’s going on around us, we still have to stay resilient and brave and strong because at the end of the day, everybody’s different, and we shouldn’t be ashamed of that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Hannah<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Hannah Cruz plays Maureen in ‘Rent.’ <\/p>\n

Hannah Cruz, who plays Maureen, voices a similar sentiment.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe meaning of the story is more like just being yourself, not being afraid to express who you are, who you love,\u201d said Cruz. \u201cThis show is really just about being true to yourself, not being afraid to stand up for what you believe in.\u201d<\/p>\n

People familiar with \u201cRent\u201d associate the character of Maureen with her \u201cTake Me or Leave Me\u201d duet with Joanne Jefferson. But Cruz was surprised that her raucous solo, \u201cOver the Moon,\u201d became her personal favorite.<\/p>\n

Only thing to do, only thing to is jump (Leap of faith, leap of faith, leap of faith, leap of faith)
Only thing to do is jump over the moon (Leap of faith, leap of faith, leap of faith, leap of faith)
Only thing to do is jump over the moon (Leap of faith, leap of faith, leap of faith, leap of faith)
Over the moon (Leap of faith, leap of faith)
Over the moo (Leap of faith, leap of faith)
Moo
MOO
Moo with me
Moo
Come on sir, mooo mooo mooo mooo mooo
MOOO<\/p>\n

\"Florida<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Florida Southern College sophomore Hannah Cruz is ‘Over the Moon’ to play Maureen in ‘Rent.’ <\/p>\n

\u201cI’m saying things that don’t really make sense, that sound dumb, but have an underlying, deep meaning,\u201d Cruz explained. \u201cSo, it really is a metaphor. So, I think taking that, things that sound gibberish, that don’t make any sense and then having to perform it as if there’s a deep, deep meaning, I think that was really challenging \u2026. Also, just putting myself out there and having to moo like a cow in front of all of my friends, it was very weird at first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Under the direction of Artistic Director Carmen Crussard, Director Miguel Cintron and Choreographer Kiana Raine Cintron, this ensemble cast of high school and college students is, in a word, outstanding.<\/p>\n

Performances are Thursday, June 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, June 26 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, June 27 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, June 28 at 2 p.m.<\/p>\n

For tickets, visit artinlee.org<\/a> or telephone 239-939-2787.<\/p>\n

\"Tyler<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Roommates Roger Harris (Tyler Scott) and Mark Cohen (William Urban) face off in scene from ‘Rent’ at the Alliance for the Arts.<\/p>\n

MORE INFORMATION:<\/p>\n

\u201cRent\u201d is loosely based on Puccini\u2019s \u201cLa Boheme,\u201d but with electric guitars supplanting woodwinds and HIV\/AIDS taking the place of tuberculosis.<\/p>\n

The storyline follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to live creatively under the shadow of HIV\/AIDS in New York\u2019s Lower East Side. The physical and emotional complications of the disease pervade the lives of Roger, Mimi, Tom and Angel. Maureen deals with her chronic infidelity through performance art; her partner, Joanne, wonders if their relationship is worth the trouble. Benny has sold out his Bohemian ideals in exchange for a hefty income and is on the outs with his former friends. Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, feels like an outsider to life in general. How these young bohemians negotiate their dreams, loves and conflicts provides the narrative thread to this groundbreaking musical.<\/p>\n

The musical would have never happened without Stephen Sondheim. At his suggestion, Jonathan Larson applied for and received a Richard Rodgers Development Award. He used the $45,000 prize to help finance a two-week workshop of the musical. Jeffrey Seller and Kevin McCollum, two up-and-coming producers, were in the audience. Based on the strength of the workshop presentation, the two agreed to partner with the New York Theater Workshop to stage a full production the following year.<\/p>\n

The musical originally premiered at New York Theatre Workshop on Jan. 25, 1996. It transferred to Broadway’s Nederlander on April 29, 1996. It was one of those rare shows that transcended Broadway success to become a cultural touchstone. In the process, it changed the industry by permeating the mainstream zeitgeist and infusing Broadway with sweet rock \u2018n roll.<\/p>\n

The Broadway run continued for 12 years and 5,123 performances, closing Sept. 7, 2008.<\/p>\n

The Broadway production of “Rent” grossed over $280 million.<\/p>\n

The cast album became a double multi-platinum record, with U.S. sales alone exceeding 2 million units.<\/p>\n

The musical has spawned countless national tours, regional and international stagings, a big-screen movie adaptation featuring most of the original stage cast, and a live TV production.<\/p>\n

\u201cRent\u201d received both an Emmy and Pulitzer Prize.<\/p>\n

Since 1918, only eight musicals have been awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Other winners include \u201cOf Thee I Sing\u201d (1932), \u201cFiorello!\u201d (1960), \u201cHow to Succeed in Business without Really Trying\u201d (1962), \u201cSunday in the Park with George\u201d (1985) and \u201cNext to Normal\u201d (2010).<\/p>\n

Larson provided a voice to marginalized communities and reminded us all of the power of compassion, care, and showing up for one another.<\/p>\n

A special concert performance celebrating the musical\u2019s 30th anniversary is planned for Oct. 26 in the Richard Rodgers Theatre.<\/p>\n

The original director, Michael Greif, will direct the event, which will feature members of the musical’s original cast joined by guest performers.<\/p>\n

\"William<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

In the local production, William Urban plays Mark Cohen, an aspiring filmmaker who feels like an outsider to life in general. <\/p>\n

The creative team<\/p>\n

Artistic Director:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Carmen Crussard
Director:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Miguel Cintron
Choreographer:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Kiana Raine Cintron
Music Director:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gary Stroh<\/p>\n

\"Joanne<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Joanne Jefferson (Isa Oren) and Mark Cohen (William Urban) do the ‘Tango Maureen.’ <\/p>\n

The local cast<\/p>\n

Mark Cohen: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 William Urban
Rodger: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tyler Scott
Mimi\u00a0 Marquez:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jay Encalada
Tom Collins:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 D\u2019Adrian St. Louis
Angel:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gabe Cruz
Maureen:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Hannah Cruz
Joanne:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Isa Oren
Benny\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Deangelo Arnold
Gordon:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reagan Fournier
Mark\u2019s Mom:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Delilah Mendez
Rodger\u2019s Mom:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Ollie Anderson
Mr. Grey\/Pastor:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Tristan Michael
Drug Dealer:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Taylor Barbara
Coat Vendor:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Justice Williams
Waiter\/Police Officer:\u00a0\u00a0 Reagan Strachan
Alexie Darling\/Vendor: Samantha Boddicker<\/p>\n

Homeless People: Alex Bates, Mardin Liberal, Delilah Mendez, Sisi Ortiz<\/p>\n

Ensemble: Taylor Barbaro, Alex Bates, Reagan Fournier, Victor Galarza, Genevieve Haas, Karrington Kennelly, Mardin Liberal, Tristan Michael, Sisi Ortiz and Justice Williams<\/p>\n

\"Isa<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Isa Oren is Joanne Jefferson in ‘Rent.’<\/p>\n

Jonathan Larson<\/p>\n

Jonathan Larson was the musical\u2019s creator.<\/p>\n

He was a “starving artist,” living the bohemian life for several years, when his friend and fellow struggling playwright, Billy Aronson, suggested they collaborate on a contemporary American version of Puccini’s \u201cLa Boheme.\u201d<\/p>\n

It was 1989 and Larson immediately saw the possibility of exploring HIV\/AIDS, homelessness, sexuality and the struggle for art in an East Village setting.<\/p>\n

He envisioned writing a “Hair for the ’90s” that could “bring musical theater to the MTV generation.”<\/p>\n

Aronson and Larson wrote several early drafts of the title song, as well as “Santa Fe” and “I Should Tell You.”<\/p>\n

Eventually, the two parted ways amicably, and Larson continued to develop the show on his own. \u2028<\/p>\n

Larson died suddenly two hours before the show\u2019s final dress rehearsal and the night before the musical was scheduled to give the first preview performance at NYTW.<\/p>\n

He died at age 35 from an aortic dissection thought to be the result of undiagnosed Marfan syndrome.<\/p>\n

\"Roommates<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

Roommates Roger Harris (Tyler Scott) and Mark Cohen (William Urban) in the Alliance Youth Theatre’s production of ‘Rent’ <\/p>\n

Rent & HIV\/AIDS<\/p>\n

The musical\u2019s legacy is inextricably intertwined with the fight against HIV\/AIDS. <\/p>\n

Its focus on the AIDS epidemic was an important factor in the Pulitzer jury\u2019s decision to award Larson the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s astonishing is that Larson wrote \u201cRent\u201d prior to the development of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy, which transformed HIV from a death sentence into a manageable chronic condition.<\/p>\n

In the 30 years since the show premiered, advances in HIV treatment\u2014including long\u2011acting injectables\u2014have transformed what\u2019s possible, but the epidemic is far from over.<\/p>\n

Sadly, \u201cRent\u201d remains relevant in today\u2019s political climate.<\/p>\n

Even though Florida lawmakers have passed a $75 million plan to restore HIV medication access, there remains the specter that Governor Ron DeSantis could veto that funding. Even if he doesn\u2019t, the measure covers only the upcoming fiscal year. Without this money, more than 10,000 Floridians will lose access to life-saving HIV medication because Congress didn\u2019t extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits last fall.<\/p>\n

UNAIDS warns that an additional 6 million new HIV infections and 4 million AIDS-related deaths could occur between 2025 and 2029 as a result of the dissolution of USAID and the U.S. President\u2019s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief or PEPFAR. So for too many people, an HIV\/AIDS diagnosis is potentially still a death sentence.<\/p>\n

\"Mimi<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall <\/p>\n

\/<\/p>\n

WGCU Arts Reporter Tom Hall<\/p>\n

Mimi Marquez (Jay Encalada) is accustomed to getting whatever she wants, but Roger (Tyler Scott) spurns her early overtures to be more than mere friends. <\/p>\n

Songs
Act 1<\/p>\n

Tune Up 1<\/a>Voice Mail 1<\/a>Tune Up 2<\/a>Rent<\/a>You Okay Honey?<\/a>Tune Up 3<\/a>One Song Glory<\/a>Light My Candle<\/a>Voice Mail 2<\/a>Today 4 U<\/a>You’ll See<\/a>Tango: Maureen<\/a>Life Support<\/a>Out Tonight<\/a>Another Day<\/a>Will I?<\/a>On The Street<\/a>Santa Fe<\/a>I’ll Cover You<\/a>We’re Okay<\/a>Christmas Bells<\/a>Over The Moon<\/a>La Vie Boheme<\/a>I Should Tell You<\/a>La Vie Boheme B<\/a><\/p>\n

Act 2<\/p>\n

Seasons Of Love<\/a>Happy New Year<\/a>Voice Mail 3<\/a>Happy New Year B<\/a>Take Me Or Leave Me<\/a>Seasons Of Love B<\/a>Without You<\/a>Voice Mail 4<\/a>Contact<\/a>I’ll Cover You (Reprise)<\/a>Halloween<\/a>Goodbye Love<\/a>What You Own<\/a>Voice Mail 5<\/a>Finale A<\/a>Your Eyes<\/a>Finale B<\/a><\/p>\n

Support for WGCU\u2019s arts & culture reporting comes from the Estate of Myra Janco Daniels, the Charles M. and Joan R. Taylor Foundation, and Naomi Bloom in loving memory of her husband, Ron Wallace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\u201cRent\u2019s\u201d legacy is inseparable from the fight against HIV\/AIDS. The musical describes a time when an AIDS diagnosis…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":319626,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[14],"tags":[209,211,210],"class_list":["post-319625","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral","tag-cape-coral-headlines","tag-cape-coral-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/319625","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=319625"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/319625\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/319626"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=319625"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=319625"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=319625"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}