Aaron Tveit, Skylar Astin, Wayne Brady & More Join Rent at the Hollywood Bowl

Broadway vets Aaron Tveit (Next to Normal) and Skylar Astin (Spring Awakening) will play Roger and Mark, respectively, and Wayne Brady (Chicago) will play Tom Collins in the Hollywood Bowl’s summer production of Rent. The actors join previously announced star Vanessa Hudgens as Mimi in the hit musical, which will receive a fully staged production directed by Neil Patrick Harris. The show will have three performances in the famed outdoor venue (which seats 18,000) on August 6, 7 and 8.

Also joining Rent are Collins Pennie (Fame, Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming) as Benny, Tracie Thoms (Cold Case) reprising her film role as Joanne, and Broadway Rent vets Telly Leung as Angel and Gwen Stewart as the “Seasons of Love” soloist. Jamal Sims, an associate choreographer of the film Hairspray, will choreograph, and Tim Weil will serve as musical director.

"So far, I'm thrilled with the cast,” Harris said in a statement. “With this gang, I'm hoping to provide an eclectic mix of experienced Rent performers, amazing new talent and recognizable faces in unexpected roles. Of paramount importance to me, though, is honoring the piece as a whole—the music, the vibe, the creator—so that those who have never experienced Rent will be able to appreciate it alongside die hard fans. We'll only have one week of rehearsal, which I like to call 'madness,' but as of now my hopes are very high."