It’s about aloha, ‘it’s about love’: Acclaimed University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa production of ‘RENT’ comes to Kauaʻi

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Theatre and Dance is bringing its celebrated production of Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical “RENT” to the Garden Isle.

Following a sold-out run at Mānoa’s Kennedy Theatre earlier this year, the production will hit the Kauaʻi Community College Performing Arts Center stage Aug. 8-10.

“We are so excited to take our show to Kauaʻi and connect with our Kauaʻi ʻohana in this way,” said director Joshua “Baba” Tavares in an announcement for the upcoming performances.

Tavares is an assistant professor of acting at Mānoa who was born and raised in Kona on the Big Island.

He also just so happened to play the role of Angel Dumott Schunard — a crucial character in the story and central piece of the show’s emotional core — during a stint of the open run for the 20th anniversary national tour of “RENT” from September 2016 to May 2022.

The Kauaʻi performances mark the Mānoa production’s first appearance off Oʻahu, giving new audiences a chance to experience one of the most impactful works in modern musical theatre — through a uniquely Hawaiʻi lens.

It earned critical acclaim in March, with BroadwayWorld calling it “a soaring and heartfelt production,” blending “aloha, heartbreak, queer joy … and unbridled energy of young people united for justice and love.”

The show was praised for its raw emotional power, dynamic staging and local resonance.

Loosely inspired by Puccini’s “La Bohème,” “RENT” —  written and composed by creator Jonathan Larson — follows a group of struggling young artists throughout the course of a year, or 525,600 minutes, in 1990s New York City.

They build relationships, becoming friends (or more) and navigate love, loss, identity, survival and so much more during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis in a show that debuted off Broadway in January 1996 — the night after Larson died at the age of 35 from an aortic dissection caused by undiagnosed Marfan syndrome — and seemed almost destined for greatness, as if it was fast-tracked to the Big Time, debuting less than 4 months later in April the same year on its first Broadway.

The groundbreaking musical has since transformed, evolving into a global cultural phenomenon that continues to have relevance and resonate with audiences today.

“Even though the show is set in a specific time, its challenges feel just as relevant today, especially here in Hawaiʻi,” Tavares said. “Homelessness, gentrification, mental health struggles and finding a way forward after a devastating disease –– are we talking about the ’80s and ’90s or are we talking about today?”

“RENT” isn’t just about struggle, he added. It’s about hope. It’s about tolerance and human rights.

And above all else, it’s about aloha, Tavares said: “It’s about love.”

The touring team includes more than 40 cast and crew members, including Mānoa students, faculty, staff, musicians and technicians, representing a wide range of university programs such as theatre and dance, psychology, music, law, cinematic arts, Hawaiian language and more.

“RENT” performance details

• When: 7 to 9 p.m. Aug. 8-9; 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Aug. 10
• Location: Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center, 3-1901 Kaumuali‘i Highway, Līhuʻe
• Advisories: Mature themes including substance abuse, strong language, sexuality, self-harm; not recommended for children.
• Ticket prices: $15 to $60
• How to purchase tickets: Online
• More information: Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center website, email to greg3512@hawaii.edu or call (808) 245-8352.

The team also will offer a free acting workshop Aug. 9 to share and engage Kauaʻi’s community of storytellers and artists as part of the visiting performance tour. More information will be coming soon.

“Tavares’ unique interpretation of this iconic musical draws profound parallels to contemporary reality,” says the Kaua‘i Community College Performing Arts Center website about the upcoming production. “Through the eyes of our talented young artists, ‘RENT’ offers a compelling exploration of self-discovery amidst adversity. At its heart, this story poses a poignant question: How do we measure our lives?”

This partnership between the Mānoa and Kauaʻi campuses aims to build a lasting bridge through the performing arts. Financial support is welcome to offset travel and production costs.

Contact Tavares at tavares8@hawaii.edu to show your support for the tour or inquire about sponsorships.