Monday, August 4, 2008

ATWT's Manche Ends Short Run In High School "Rent"

Passaic Valley Regional High School has become the first school in New Jersey to perform a rendition of the hit Broadway musical "Rent." And to make sure they got it right, the students went to a Sunday performance in July, to meet the cast.

In a dimly lit hallway at the Nederlander Theater, 15 students (including AS THE WORLD TURNS actor Daniel Manche (JJ) who played Mark) waited near gray doors marked "Staff Only." It wasn't long before Jeff Budd director of Passaic Valley's production of "Rent" led the students into a tight alley behind the theater.

Minutes later, Broadway cast members met them and for the next 30 minutes the students posed with the pros, asked questions and received autographs.

The 21-member high school cast featured students not only from Passaic Valley, but from around New Jersey. The student performed six shows before the closing performance yesterday.

The high school version differed in several aspects, most notably the kissing scenes for same-sex couples. However, the characters of Roger and Mimi will have smooching scenes.

"It doesn't take away from the body of work," he director Jeff Budd. "It's not written into the script."

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