Gaten Matarazzo, known for his work on Broadway and the Netflix series Stranger Things, is set to lead the West End revival of Rent. This production will see Matarazzo take on the iconic role of Mark Cohen. The revival is scheduled to open this autumn, with details about dates and venues unveiled recently.
The Role of Mark Cohen
Mark Cohen is the central character in Rent, a struggling filmmaker in New York City’s East Village. He documents the lives of his bohemian friends as they deal with poverty, love, and the AIDS crisis in the early 1990s.
History of the Role
- The character was originally portrayed by Anthony Rapp in the 1996 Broadway production.
- Rapp also reprised this role in the 2005 film adaptation.
- Other notable actors who have played Mark include Neil Patrick Harris in the Los Angeles run and Skyler Astin at the Hollywood Bowl.
- Jordan Fisher took on the role during Rent: Live in 2019.
Matarazzo’s upcoming performance adds to a busy year for the young actor. He has also been cast in the new film version of Dave Malloy’s musical Octet.
Production Details
Luke Sheppard is directing this revival. He emphasized that this rendition of Rent represents a new generation of performers passionate about the material. With Matarazzo leading the cast, audiences can expect an exciting experience.
Tickets for this highly anticipated West End production of Rent are now available for purchase. More casting announcements are expected to follow as the opening date approaches.
