Friday, February 20, 2026
As a courtesy to the artists and for the uninterrupted enjoyment of your fellow patrons, please turn off all electronic devices. No portion of this performance may be photographed, recorded, filmed, taped, broadcast or mechanically reproduced without the written consent of the Artist and/or the Presenter. Mayo Performing Arts Center is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Program subject to change.
RENT in Concert
2026 US Tour
CONCERT PRODUCTION CREDITS
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Musical Arrangements by Steve Skinner
Original Concept/Additional Lyrics by Billy Aronson
Music Supervision and Additional Arrangements by Tim Weil Dramaturg, Lynn Thomson Orchestrations by Sean O’Loughlin
RENT was originally produced in New York by New York Theatre Workshop and on Broadway by Jeffrey Seller, Kevin McCollum, Allan S. Gordon and New York Theatre Workshop.
RENT in Concert created and produced by AMP Worldwide.
This production of RENT in Concert is licensed by Music Theatre International.
Friday, February 20, 2026 | 8 PM | Mayo Performing Arts Center
This performance lasts approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes, including a 20-minute intermission:
Sara Brians, Director
Heidi Joosten, Conductor Symphonic accompaniment by Contemporaneous
PROGRAM
SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Tour Direction:
Artist Management Partners Worldwide LLC
Tim Fox | Alison Ahart Williams | Georgina Ryder www.amp-worldwide.com
STARRING
Kris Carrasco singing the songs of Angel Ruchir Khazanchi singing the songs of Benny
Candice Woods singing the songs of Joanne
Tommy Kaiser singing the songs of Mark
Alex Lugo singing the songs of Maureen Jasiana Caraballo singing the songs of Mimi
Ben Cherington singing the songs of Roger Terrance Lamont singing the songs of Tom Collins
ENSEMBLE
Chachi Delgado • Joseph DePietro • Rodney McKinner • Nisa Mercado • Leonay Reina
CONTEMPORANEOUS MEMBERS
Ben Goldstein, violin I
Tiani Butts, violin I
Daniel Constant, violin I
Miguel Calleja, violin II
Justus Ross, violin II
Dudley Raine IV, viola I
Hannah Selin, viola II
Helen Newby, cello I
Jordan Bartow, cello II
Tim Hommowun, flute/oboe
Pat Swoboda, electric bass
Eileen Mack, clarinet
Grant Abelson, horn
Hugh Ash, trumpet
Daniel Linden, trombone
Milena Gligic, keyboard
Violetta Norrie, harp
Adam Holmes, drums
Neil Beckmann, guitar
TOUR STAFF
Aaron Quintana, Tour Manager
Grace Griffin, Production Stage Manager
Mario Alonso, Audio Engineer
Sebastian Villota, Audio Engineer
James Ecton, Merchandise Manager
Special Thanks to:
Sammi Cannold, Consultant
Sean O’Loughlin, Orchestrations
Dylan Mattingly, Contemporaneous
Adam Deremer, MTI
Peter Dunn, Casting Consultant
Scott McRae, Janen Music
Diane Burrell
Road Rebel
LuxBus
Sunny Trails
TriState Coaches
One Heart Collective, Merchandise Solotech AV Technologies
About RENT in Concert
An ensemble of stellar vocalists and instrumentalists come together to share the iconic music of RENT like never before. This symphonic take on Jonathan Larson’s beloved musical encompasses the full score of the show, including favorites like “Seasons of Love,” “La Vie Bohème,” and “Take Me or Leave Me”.
Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about falling in love, finding your voice, and living for today. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, RENT has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages.
Based loosely on Puccini's La Boheme, Jonathan Larson's RENT follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York City’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. 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 while 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.
SARA BRIANS (Director) Sara Brians is an award-winning director and choreographer who loves developing new musicals in addition to directing and choreographing revivals. Sara’s Broadway credits include Matilda, Billy Elliot, White Christmas, The Hills Of California, 42nd Street, The Terms Of My Surrender, and After The Night And The Music. Regional directing credits include Waitress, Rock Of Ages, Godspell, Cabaret and Matilda, and choreography credits include White Christmas, Anything Goes, Mary Poppins, Sunset Boulevard, Guys And Dolls, Shrek, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Spring Awakening among others. She has directed and choreographed numerous industrials, concerts, and entertainment events world-wide, including additional choreography for Born To Dance with Princess Cruise Line. She has performed, directed, and choreographed for prestigious institutions including The Radio City Rockettes, The Kennedy Center, New York City Center Encores!, Goodspeed Opera House, The 5th Avenue Theatre, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Theatre Aspen and many more. She holds a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Hunter College and is an Associate Professor of Musical Theatre at The University of Oklahoma’s Weitzenhoffer School of Musical Theatre. Visit sarabrians. com for more.
JASIANA CARABALLO (Mimi) Chicago-native, Jasiana Caraballo, is thrilled to go back Out Tonight! Recent credits include: RENT in Concert (Segerstrom Center for the Arts), Pump Up the Volume (The Hudson Theatres), Cindy & the Disco Ball (Garry Marshall Theatre), Joseph…Dreamcoat (La Mirada), and Dogman: The Musical (National Tour.) Jasiana is thankful for every role that allows her to explore a character’s heart and journey, and is continually inspired by the communities each show creates. She extends her heartfelt thanks to her team at Aperture Talent and Rothman Andres Entertainment for their dedication, and sends endless love to her family and all of her loved ones, whose support grounds and uplifts her every day. Welcome to the show! Let’s measure this night in love!
KRIS CARRASCO (Angel) Kris Carrasco (Angel) Latino sensation (and American menace), this marks their National Tour debut! Off Broadway: House Of Telescopes (Cartographer). Regional: Chasing Rainbows (World Premiere), Tuck Everlasting (Jesse Tuck, under the direction of Broadway’s Joe Barros), as well as many new musical workshops and readings in New York City. You can also hear Kris on the studio cast recording of SUEÑOS: Our American Musical (currently being developed for Broadway audiences) streaming now. To everyone with a dream NEVER give up. Thank you DGRW, Penn State University, the radical power of queer friendship, and every mentor past and present. This performance is dedicated to his brothers Nathan, Joseph, and Alex, and to the Black and Brown Queer and Trans Community. @KrisDCarrasco
BEN CHERINGTON (Roger) Ben Cherington is honored to be performing alongside this company. Previous national tours include Parade and Les Misérables. Other favorite credits include Sweet Smell of Success (MasterVoices, Jazz at Lincoln Center), A Christmas Carol, Godspell, Kinky Boots (Pittsburgh CLO), Jesus Christ Superstar (ACT of Connecticut), and A Gentlemanʼs Guide to Love and Murder (Clinton Showboat Theatre). Endless gratitude for all the places and people Ben calls home. BFA Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.
CHACHI DELGADO (Ensemble) Chachi Delgado is super excited to return to RENT: In Concert! An Afro-Latino originally from the Bay Area, his credits include the recent 20th Anniversary Benefit Concert of In The Heights, directed by KO, multiple productions of Mystic Pizza, including at Paper Mill Playhouse and Riverside Theater, and regional productions of My Fair Lady, Choir Boy, Evita, Fun Home, A Chorus Line, Into the Woods, Follies, and Hello, Dolly! Television and film work includes Loop (Disney+), Freaky Tales (Lionsgate), and commercials for McDonalds and Toyota. Chachi was also a choreographer and dancer for the video game NBA 2K25. “Big shout out to Korsa Musical Theater, dear friends, big family, and Whole Artist Management. Dropout 20.”
JOSEPH DEPIETRO (Ensemble) Joseph DePietro is an actor, singer, director, and teaching artist based in NYC. Broadway/ Tour: The Phantom of the Opera. TV: Law and Order. Select Regional and Concert Work: The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical at The Kennedy Center, Altar Boyz, Hair, Jersey Boys, Ragtime, 1776. Joseph is passionate about his work with Co_Lab Theater Group, who use theatre to provide an artistic and social outlet to folks with developmental disabilities. Favorite role to date: uncle to the best nephews and niece imaginable. For more, visit www. josephdepietro.com or IG @josephdepietro. No day but today.
HEIDI JOOSTEN (Music Director, Conductor) Heidi Joosten is a Jeff Award–winning music director, composer, orchestrator, multiinstrumentalist, and educator. Since 2014, she has contributed to 125+ new theatrical, comedic, and concert productions across the globe.
Her international national live-to-picture credits include The Witcher in Concert (Music Director/Conductor); Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert – 1st National & 20th Anniversary tours (Assoc. Conductor); Naruto: The Symphonic Experience (Assoc. Conductor, Orchestrator, Score Supervisor); Labyrinth in Concert (Orchestrator); Barbie: Live in Concert at the Hollywood Bowl and Royal Albert Hall (Assoc. Conductor, Score Supervisor); Tokyo Ghoul: 10th Anniversary Concert (Score Supervisor) and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (Assoc. Conductor).
Chicago highlights include Children of Eden (Broadway in Chicago), Assassins (Theo Ubique, 2024 Jeff Award for Music Direction), American Psycho and Alice By Heart (Kokandy Productions, both Jeff-nominated), Beauty and the Beast (Chicago Shakespeare Theater), Don’t Quit Your Daydream (The Second City), Grease (Drury Lane Theater), and Hunchback of Notre Dame in Concert with the Elgin Symphony.
An active classical and educational composer, her award-winning work has been performed throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia. She holds composition degrees from UW–Eau Claire and CCPA and is a member of ASCAP and the Dramatists Guild. IG: @heidijoosten • www.heidijoosten.com
TOMMY KAISER (Mark) Tommy Kaiser (He/Him) is over the moon to be touring with RENT in Concert following his performance in the production with the San Diego Symphony. He is also an alum of the 25th Anniversary National Tour of RENT (Swing, u/s Mark, u/s Roger). Other recent credits: Frozen (Hans), Jersey Boys (Swing, u/s Frankie Valli), Featured Artist on In Pieces: A New Musical (Highlights). Endless gratitude to Ally Taylor Artists & Zuri Agency, the RENT in Concert team, and to his friends and family for their boundless support. @tommykaiser_
RUCHIR KHAZANCHI
(Benny) Ruchir Khazanchi is an actor, writer, and musician originally from Omaha, Nebraska. As a musician and songwriter, he is currently working on his debut EP, entitled True American. His writing projects have been semifinalists for the National Musical Theatre Conference and the National Alliance for Musical Theatre Conference. He is represented by Lohne/ Graham Management. Theatre: Dolly: A True Original Musical (The Fisher Center for Performing Arts); Once (Syracuse Stage); Legally Blonde (Paramount Aurora); Mister Dickens' Hat (Northlight Theatre); Fiddler On The Roof (The Lyric Opera of Chicago); The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity (TheatreSquared); Guards At The Taj (Chester Theatre Company); The Apple Tree (Porchlight Music Theatre); Heaven Is A Place In The Sky (The Tank); Something In The Game (American Music Theatre Project); Kiss (Haven Chicago); Māyā (Symphony Space). Film: The Becomers (Dark Star Pictures); Thumb (Weed Road Pictures/Bluestone Entertainment). Northwestern Theatre Alum. Thank you to my friends, family, and teachers. Instagram: @ruchir.khazanchi www.ruchirkhazanchi.com
TERRANCE LAMONT (Tom Collins) Terrance Lamont is overjoyed to be reprising his dream role with RENT in Concert! His performance credits include: RENT (Collins) The Muny, The Kennedy Center, and Paper Mill Playhouse; BHANGIN’ IT (Jake) La Jolla Playhouse; & Dreamgirls (C.C. White) National/International Tour. He sends much love to his friends & family for their unending support! Socials @TerranceLmnt
ALEX LUGO (Maureen) Alex Lugo (they/them) is a Black, Queer, & Nonbinary artist from Miami, FL. Seen on Broadway in the Tony Award winning HADESTOWN, as Toby on HBOMAX’s And Just Like That, and on The Late Late Late Show with James Corden. For my family, Adreanna, Ben, & TNB2S+ pioneers. With endless gratitude to the DGRW Team. @alexmarialugo alexmlugo.com
NISA MERCADO (Ensemble) Nisa is thrilled to be back with AMP Worldwide for RENT In Concert. Her favorite credits include The Wiz - Virginia Repertory Theatre & A Chorus Line - Virginia Theatre Festival. She attended Shenandoah Conservatory for her B.F.A in Musical Theatre. She wants to thank her wife, mom, grandparents and friends for their endless love and support.
RODNEY MCKINNER (Ensemble) Rodney is from Memphis, Tennessee. His passion for singing and performing began when he was a young child, and his love for the stage has only grown deeper over time. After receiving his BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Oklahoma in 2023, Rodney went on to complete two contracts as a lead vocalist with Royal Caribbean International. During this time, he had the opportunity to sing and travel all over the world, visiting over 25 countries. He would like to thank his friends, family, teachers, and wonderful agents at Henderson Hogan for their constant support. IG: @rodney.mckinner
LEONAY REINA (Ensemble) Leonay Reina is thrilled to be a part of RENT in Concert on Tour! Off-Broadway: Little Miss Sunshine (Second Stage Theatre). Regional: EVITA (American Repertory Theatre, Shakespeare Theater Company), Because of Winn-Dixie (Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Delaware Theater Company). Film/ TV: Good Funk (dir. Adam Kritzer), Nicki (Freeform, unreleased). Other Credits: 9 to 5 (Doralee Rhodes), She Loves Me (Ilona), Pippin (Leading Player). Pace BFA Musical Theater. @leonayreina
CANDICE WOODS (Joanne) Candice Marie Woods (they/she) is thrilled to join the company of RENT in Concert, lending their voice as Joanne. Broadway & National Tour credits include 1776 Revival (Joseph Hewes/u.s. John Adams), Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations (Diana Ross), The Book of Mormon (Ensemble/u.s. Nabulungi), Nice Work If You Can Get It (Flo/ Ensemble), Catch Me If You Can (Ensemble), Hairspray (Dynamite), and Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (Swing), Legally Blonde (US Tour) (Pilar), Dirty Dancing (Ensemble/Female Lead Vocalist). Some international performances include Deena Jones in Dreamgirls (Korea Tour) Letʼs Broadway Camerata (Brazil) - Featured Soloist. Recent regional credits include Becky in Waitress (Pioneer Theatre Company), Millie Davis in Trouble in Mind (Dallas Theatre Center), and Brenda in Smokey Joe’s Cafe (Merry-Go-Round Playhouse). On screen, Candice has been seen on Law & Order (Rachelle Jones) and as a soloist on the Kennedy Center Honors honoring Berry Gordy. They send love to their family and friends for their continued support, with special Titi kisses for Jolie, Ava, and Sean.
Contemporaneous is an ensemble whose mission is to bring to life the most transformative music of today's world through performances, commissions, recordings, and educational programs. Described as "exact and detailed, but also lively and openly dancing" (The New York Times) and "leading new music towards its better self" (I Care If You Listen), Contemporaneous is based in New York City and active throughout the United States. Contemporaneous has premiered over 200 new works, and has been presented by such institutions as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Park Avenue Armory, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Walt Disney Concert Hall, PROTOTYPE Festival, Merkin Concert Hall, MATA Festival, St. Ann’s Warehouse, and Bang on a Can and has worked with such artists as David Byrne, Donnacha Dennehy, Iarla Ó Lionáird, Dawn Upshaw, and Julia Wolfe. Contemporaneous' programming has also received acclaim from community members, artists, and press of all kinds, with the ensemble’s recent performance of Stranger Love being listed as one of 2023’s “best classical music performances” by the New York Times. Contemporaneous champions "dream projects" of musical creators across the world and leads participatory programs for public school students in the communities where the ensemble performs. These workshops are designed to instill a passion for new music and to convey the power of careful listening and meaningful expression through music. The ensemble has held residencies at such institutions as Colgate University, Hamilton College, City University of New York, the University of New Orleans, Williams College, and Bard College, where the group was founded in 2010. Contemporaneous is a federally tax-exempt not-for-profit organization, supported by a dedicated community of listeners.
MUSIC THEATRE INTERNATIONAL
[www.mtishows.com] is one of the world's leading theatrical licensing agencies, granting theatres from around the world the rights to perform the greatest selection of musicals from Broadway and beyond. Founded in 1952 by composer Frank Loesser and orchestrator Don Walker, MTI is a driving force in advancing musical theatre as a vibrant and engaging art form. MTI works directly with the composers, lyricists and book writers of these musicals to provide official scripts, musical materials and dynamic theatrical resources to over 100,000 professional, community and school theatres in the US and in over 150 countries worldwide. MTI is particularly dedicated to educational theatre and has created special collections to meet the needs of various types of performers and audiences. MTI’s Broadway Junior® shows are 30- and 60-minute musicals for performance by elementary and middle school-aged performers, while MTI’s School Editions are musicals annotated for performance by high school students.