What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
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T10 WHATS UP! January 27 - February 2, 2019 of the show. Country music singer-songwriter Brennin Hunt ("Nashville") plays Mark's roommate and best friend, a struggling musician named Roger Davis. Mark and Roger's former roommate- turned-landlord Benjamin Cof- fin III is portrayed by R&B art- ist Mario ("Step Up," 2006). Tony and Emmy-nominated ac- tor Brandon Victor Dixon ("Je- sus Christ Superstar Live in Concert") has been cast as Mark and Roger's friend, Tom Collins, a computer scientist who returns to New York after being expelled from MIT. One- time Disney darling Vanessa Hudgens ("High School Musi- cal," 2006) stars as Mark's ex- girlfriend, Maureen. Kiersey Clemons ("Dope," 2015) ap- pears as Maureen's girlfriend, Joanne Jefferson, an Ivy League-educated lawyer. Pop singer Tinashe ("The Polar Ex- press," 2004) tackles the role of Mimi Marquez, a dancer who struggles with addiction. Final- ly, drag queen Valentina ("Ru- Paul's Drag Race") makes her debut as Angel, a drag queen and street musician. Performing alongside such seasoned artists may be intimi- dating to some, but Valentina seems to be handling it all with her usual poise. When "ET's" Keltie Knight stopped by the set of the live musical in No- vember, she spoke with Valen- tina and Dixon about the up- coming production and asked Valentina about the show. "I'm definitely taking on a lot, but I'm so excited, especial- ly because it's live because, ma- ma-girl, I'm always live," Valen- tina quipped. Dixon was equally optimistic about the televised version of the musical: "I think particularly at this time with a lot of the distress and the conflict we see, I think it's so important to see a group of friends that really learn and discover that love transforms anything," Dixon said. "Love transforms disease — the dis- ease of prejudice, disease itself, transforms the disease of pov- erty, xenophobia, patriarchy. Our message is to measure yourself in love — the love you give and the love you allow yourself to receive." The original Broadway run of "Rent" lasted 12 years, was performed 5,123 times and grossed more than $280 mil- lion. There have been a num- ber of national tours as well, in addition to international productions performed in 25 languages. In 2005, Chris Co- lumbus ("Home Alone," 1990) directed a big-screen adapta- tion of the musical starring most of the original Broadway cast. Through the magic of televi- sion, Fox brings "Rent's" uplift- ing message to millions of peo- ple who may not otherwise have the opportunity to see it, whether because of cost, loca- tion or other factors. There was a time when many of the pro- grams shown on television were live, but these days live TV isn't as common. However, Fox's live production of "Rent" is part of a growing trend among major broadcasters, who have been struggling to compete with on-demand and streaming services. In 2013, NBC kicked off the recent trend with "The Sound of Mu- sic Live" starring Carrie Un- derwood ("American Idol"), and followed it up with "Peter Pan Live" (2014), "The Wiz Live" (2015), "Hairspray Live" (2016) and "Jesus Christ Super- star Live in Concert" (2018). Fox's past offerings include "The Passion" (2016), "Grease: Live" (2016) and "A Christmas Story Live" (2017). Such programs have fared well in the ratings department and "Rent" has the potential to be a hit. At times gritty and heartbreaking, the story has resonated with thousands, if not millions, of theater-goers, some of whom even refer to themselves as RENT-heads. Now, many more will have the opportunity to see the show as the musical "Rent," premieres Sunday, Jan. 27, on Fox. Valentina as seen in "Rent" continued from page T2 Sing out: Fox brings Broadway to television with 'Rent' TV FEATURE