By John Posada
originally published: 07/22/2022

(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Exit 82 Theatre Company is currently presenting Rent from July 21-31. Set in the East Village of New York City, Rent is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. The poignant Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning rock musical follows a group of strong and creative individuals who fight hard for their beliefs through their art. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take some photos.
An exuberant, passionate, and joyous story - and intoxicating score - will leave you "measuring your life in love." Come down to the Life Café at the Exit 82 Studio Theatre and live life with the mantra "no day but today"!
The cast includes Eric Weinhardt (Mark Cohen), Matthew DeMarco (Roger Davis), Patrick Comey (Tom Collins), Jenna Najjar (Joanne Jefferson), Allison Rosofsky (Maureen Johnson), Chris Shore (Benjamin Coffin III), Daniel Tramontana (Angle Schunard), Kerri McNeill (Mimi Marquez). The ensemble includes Makala Bird, Sara Burke, Frankie Confalone, Timothy DeMarco, Kayla Fegeley, Laurie Huryk, Andre Marana, Dora Santiago, Kelly Servodio, and Jennifer Shrestha.




Performances take place Thursday, July 21 at 7:00pm; Friday, July 22 at 8:00pm; Saturday, July 23 at 8:00pm; Sunday, July 24 at 2:00pm; Thursday, July 28 at 7:00pm; Friday, July 29 at 8:00pm; Saturday, July 30 at 2:00pm; *Saturday, July 30 at 8:00pm (*ASL Interpreted Performance); and Sunday, July 31 at 2:00pm.
Tickets are $30 with senior tickets at $28. Tickets are available for purchase online. The theater is BYOB. Concessions will be available for purchase.
The production is directed by Billy Cardone with choreography by Kerri McNeill and musical direction by Kristin Delucci. The assistant director is Daniel Tramontana; costume design by Frankie Confalone and Desiree Davenport; scenic construction by Chris Cardone; sound design by MK Productions; tech director and lighting designer is Zack Bliss; and the stage manager is Vicky Fleisch. The producer is Keely Davenport.
Here are more photos from the production.














Rent is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
Exit 82: A Toms River Theatre Company, Inc. is located at at 73 Main Street in downtown Toms River. Parking is available at street meters or in the parking lots on Irons and Hyers Streets. Exit 82 is a performing arts organization whose mission is to produce quality theatrical programming while providing an educational environment to unify the arts community and inspire artistic development.
ALL PHOTOS BY JOHN POSADA - If your theatre company is interested in having John Posada cover your plays, contact New Jersey Stage at [email protected]. He has taken photos during live performances and dress rehearsals.
About the author: John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.
EVENT PREVIEWS

Studio Players' Reading Series presents "The Laramie Project 10 Years Later" on June 14th
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Studio Players' Reading Series presents a Staged Reading of "The Laramie Project 10 Years Later" on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 7:00pm. Written by Moises Kaufman and Leigh Fondakowski, this is a powerful and deeply moving epilogue to the groundbreaking original. The reading is directed by Thomas J. Donohoe II.
The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of "Final Day, the Musical" on June 16th
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of Final Day, the Musical in the Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at Hackensack Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Set on the final day of World War II in Germany, Final Day follows prisoners awaiting liberation as they confront a camp commandant under orders to execute them all.
interACT Theatre Productions presents "Psycho Beach Party"
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- interACT Theatre Productions presents Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch presented as part of OUT IN MAPSO PRIDE 2026 with two performances June 19-20 at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts.

The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase
(MONTVILLE, NJ) -- The Barn Theatre presents The Solstice Showcase, its biennial festival of original one-act plays, from June 19-21, 2026. This three-day event showcases new works of up-and-coming playwrights from the NJ/NY area and beyond and other theatrical talent.
Chatham Community Players present a reading of "Indecent" by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel
(CHATHAM, NJ) -- The Chatham Community Players present a reading of Indecent by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel on Sunday, June 21, 2026 at 7:00pm. The play charts the history of an incendiary drama and the path of the artists who risked their careers and lives to perform it.

Cape May Stage presents a reading of "What Would Meryl Do?" by Neal Lerner
(CAPE MAY, NJ) -- Cape May Stage presents a reading of What Would Meryl Do? by Neal Lerner on Monday, June 22, 2026 at 7:00pm. This is a one-man comic whirlwind about a desperate man in a small upstate town who decides to teach a class on how to live like Meryl Streep — because why not? Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Middlesex County's Plays in the Park presents "All Shook Up"
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays in the Park kicks off its season with All Shook Up from June 17-27, 2026. Loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, it's 1955, and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets.
Middlesex County Plays-in-the-Park presents "All Shook Up" by Joe DiPietro
(EDISON, NJ) -- Middlesex County's Plays-in-the-Park presents All Shook Up by Jersey's own Joe DiPietro from June 17-27, 2026. Loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, it's 1955 and into a square little town rides a guitar-playing young man who changes everything and everyone he meets.
Cumberland Players presents "Reefer Madness, the Musical"
(VINELAND, NJ) -- Cumberland Players presents Reefer Madness, the Musical across two weekends from June 19-28, 2026. When a clean-cut kid from a stand-up American family falls prey to marijuana, his descent into the pit is filled with jazz, sex and violence. This pointed polticial satire will go straight to your head!

Pioneer Productions presents "Merrily We Roll Along"
(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions presents Merrily We Roll Along, the groundbreaking musical by Stephen Sondheim with a book by George Furth. Based on the 1934 play by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, the musical premiered in 1981 and has since become one of Sondheim's most daring and emotionally resonant works. The show will run weekends from June 19-June 28, 2026 at The Stage at Fellowship Hall, located inside the Morristown United Methodist Church.
FEATURED EVENTS
