Beyond the Stage Productions to Present RENT to Benefit The Stigma Project, 4/4-6

Beyond the Stage Productions has announced a special, three-night-only engagement of Rent, Jonathan Larson's legendary Broadway smash hit, which is now celebrating its 20th anniversary. Proceeds will benefit The Stigma Project, a Los Angeles HIV/AIDS outreach and education organization.

Prior to the show on Friday (April 5), AIDS Healthcare Foundation, The Advocate Magazine, AIDS Project Los Angeles, Project Angel Food, AIDS/Lifecycle, and Manchester Labs (a cause and benefit marketing firm) will host a star-studded red carpet event and panel discussion with community leaders and outreach professionals. The curtain will rise at 8:00 on Thursday 4/4, Friday 4/5, and Saturday 4/6, at the Founder's Center Auditorium on West Sixth Street in Los Angeles.

Based on Puccini's La Boheme, Rent is a rock opera that tells the story of one year in the life of a group of bohemians struggling in modern day East Village New York. The story centers around Mark and Roger, two roommates. While a former tragedy has made Roger numb to life, Mark tries to capture it through his attempts to make a film. In the year that follows, the group deals with love, loss, AIDS, and modern day life, all wrapped up in one powerful story.

Beyond the Stage producer MicheAl Smith promises an exciting re-imagining of the musical theatre classic. "Using state-of-the-art 3D video mapping technology for a portion of the set, we will be presenting the show in a stunning and unique way. The audience is in for a real treat." Smith continued, "Our cast includes veterans of Broadway tours and hit television shows, as well as some incredible new talent from right here in Los Angeles." Producer Smith and Rent director VanNessa Hulme are classically trained musical theatre veterans, having performed in venues around the world.

The Stigma Project is a grassroots organization that aims to lower the HIV infection rate and neutralize the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS through education and awareness campaigns, utilizing social media and advertising. The Stigma Project seeks to create an HIV-neutral world, free of judgment and fear, by working with both positive and negative individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, race, or background. For more information, visit www.thestigmaproject.org.

Each evening will feature a theatrical pre-show highlighting the work of the charitable organizations involved in the fundraising effort. There will be a free education/outreach performance on Friday, April 5 at 10am, open to local junior high and high school classrooms, students and allies. There will also be a live Sing-A-Long performance on Saturday, April 6 at 4pm. For more information, visit www.BeyondtheStageProductions.com.

Tickets for Rent (including the Sing-A-Long performance) are $50 and $30, with student admission available for $15. Tickets for the Outreach performance are free (with a $10 suggested donation). Tickets for the pre-show activities only (including panel discussion) are $5. Advance purchases can be made at www.TheRentProject.com. Founder's Center Auditorium is located at 3281 West Sixth Street, in Los Angeles, 90020. Ample parking is available adjacent to the theatre.

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