Live Version of 'Rent' Coming to Fox in 2019
Fox's live version of the musical "Rent" is more than 525,600 minutes away, but at least we finally have a premiere date.
The network announced Monday that it has set its upcoming TV musical for early 2019, which means we have quite a wait ahead of us. Specifically, the date is Jan. 27, exactly one week before Super Bowl LIII. The musical should be just as anticipated among theater buffs as the NFL's biggest game is for football die-hards; its Broadway predecessor is widely appreciated and has won multiple Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize.
Loosely based on Puccini's "La Bohème," "Rent" follows a group of struggling artists living in New York City. It tackles social and political issues that were especially groundbreaking when it was written, including HIV/AIDS. The show premiered on Broadway in 1996, and several of its actors went on to star in the 2005 film version.
The live musical will be executive produced by Marc Platt, whose work includes "Grease: Live," "La La Land," and "Wicked." He is joined by Adam Siegel, Julie Larson, and Al Larson, plus Vince Totino, Scott Hemming, and Marla Levine of Revolution Studios.
"Rent" premieres on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 at 7 p.m. ET/PT on Fox, so you can start counting down the minutes now.