Rent

September 6, 2024 at 7:30pm

September 7, 2024 at 2:00pm and 7:30pm

at the Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Arts

Co-Director: Michael Tuck

Co-Director and Music Director: Zachary Tarlton

Assistant Director: Athena Sarantis

Choreographer: Morgan Wakefield

Stage Managers: Shelby Annas and Samantha Johnson

Click Here to Purchase Tickets!

About the show:

RENT, with book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Larson, is a winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The musical of a generation for today’s generation, with an unforgettable, electrifying, pop-rock score. Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT chronicles the lives of a group of artists and musicians struggling to survive in the midst of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Loosely based on Puccini’s opera, La Boheme, RENT asks the audience how far these young bohemians will go to chase their dreams, navigate love, and endure their own conflicts.

Queen City Concerts invites you to take a seat at the table in this brand new, immersive staging, as Mark, Roger, Mimi, Joanne, Maureen, Angel, Tom, Benny, and their friends' lives come to life around you. There really is “no day but today.”

Note: QCC’s production of RENT is a mixed-media production, using live cameras during the show. Additionally, some audience members will be seated in zones used frequently by the actors. These seats contain a notice prior to purchase. Thank you!

Rent is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Meet the Creative Team

Michael Tuck

CO-DIRECTOR
Michael is so excited to be working with QC Concerts on Rent!
Michael graduated from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, with his BFA in Acting and most recently graduated from the City College of New York with his Masters in Theatrical Education. He currently teaches Theater at Carmel Middle School and directs the summer camps at Davidson Community Players. Directorial credits include: Need A Little Christmas with Laura Little Theatrical Productions and Wizard of Oz at Greenwood Lake Theatre. Michael has also worked at numerous regional theaters where he has been featured in some of his favorite roles such as: Drew in Rock of Ages, Tony in West Side Story, Marius in Les Miserables, Laurie in Little Women, Jamie in The Last Five Years, and Abraham in Altar Boyz. Michael was featured in the New York Musical Theater Festival, contributing to new works such as Spot On The Wall and Illa: A Hip Hop Musical. Many thanks to Zack, the creative team, all of my family and friends, and my wonderful wife for all of their support.
Zachary Tarlton

CO-DIRECTOR and MUSIC DIRECTOR
Zachary is the creator and founder of Queen City Concerts. Before founding QCC, Zack could be found music directing shows for Theatre Charlotte (Spring Awakening, Avenue Q, Gypsy, The Addams Family, and others), Actor’s Theatre of Charlotte (Silence! The Musical and Fun Home), and Matthews Playhouse (West Side Story, Sweeney Todd, and others), along with playing piano in the orchestra for dozens more. Zack holds a Bachelor of Architecture from UNC Charlotte, a Master of Public Administration from UNC Pembroke and works full time as the Business Manager for Union County Water. Additionally, he serves on staff at Myers Park United Methodist Church as Music Associate for Church in the Round. He would like to thank his incredible husband, Jonathan, and his immense support network of family and friends for always believing in him and encouraging him to pursue his dreams!
Athena Sarantis

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Athena is so excited to join QCC as the Assistant Director for Rent! She has previously assistant directed Peter and the Star Catcher at Seminole State College. Thank you to Zack for his leadership and trust! She is so grateful for the endless support of her family and friends!
Morgan Wakefield

CHOREOGRAPHER
Morgan is a local choreographer and performer committed to creating story-driven movement. Having choreographed primarily in educational and smaller dance settings, she's thrilled to be contributing to this dynamic and engaging show! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Zack for this honor! As a dancer, Morgan has appeared in professional musicals with companies such as Children's Theatre of Charlotte, classical ballets like Sleeping Beauty with Alabama Ballet, as well as several professionally produced parades (thank you dancing on concrete for my lifelong shin splints, haha). "Forget regret, or life is yours to miss.”
Shelby Annas

STAGE MANAGER
Shelby is a local performer, photographer, and stage manager in the Charlotte area. A graduate of programs completely unrelated to theatre, she joined the theatre scene in 2021, and has been going nonstop ever since. Fueled by a love of whirlwind production turnarounds and watching QC Concerts bring these incredible shows to life, she is excited to be back with Zack and this knock-out production team to stage manage Rent. Her most recent actor-wrangling productions include Head Over Heels, Hit The Wall, Ragtime, and Broadway Dreams Charlotte. Outside of Queen City Concerts, Shelby is a member of the Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts Board of Directors and the chair of their marketing committee. Shelby is excited and thankful to be working with this cast, this creative team, and the love of her life - Evan (her better half and lighting design extraordinaire). VIVA LA VIE BOHEME.
Samantha Johnson

STAGE MANAGER
Samantha is beyond excited to work with the unbelievable talent that is the team of Rent! Previously seen playing violin in past QCC performances, she is thrilled to work behind the scenes on the production team. A massive thank you to Zack for this incredible opportunity!