Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 02/03/2026
Photo by Michael Reinmiller
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- RENT in Concert is hitting the road for a special Performing Arts Center tour, bringing the unforgettable music of Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking musical to audiences across the country. The tour comes to State Theatre New Jersey on Thursday, February 19, 2026 at 7:30pm. This limited concert engagement celebrates the score that changed musical theater forever—performed exclusively in song, in a powerful symphonic concert setting.
A cultural phenomenon since its debut in 1996, Jonathan Larson's RENT revolutionized Broadway with its contemporary sound, diverse storytelling, and unflinching exploration of community, love, and life in the East Village. Its music continues to inspire audiences worldwide, with themes that resonate as strongly today as ever.
The tour offers audiences a rare chance to experience the raw emotional power and soaring musical legacy of RENT in a concert format that highlights the score's urgency, energy, and heart. Audiences will hear the full lineup of beloved songs—including "Rent," "One Song Glory," "Take Me or Leave Me," "Out Tonight," and the timeless "Seasons of Love"—performed by a thrilling group of rising stars and celebrated vocalists.
This tour features orchestral accompaniment by New York City's acclaimed ensemble Contemporaneous, known for its bold and immersive approach to contemporary music-making. The tour concert is directed by Sara Brians and conducted by Heidi Joosten, uniting top-tier theatrical and musical artistry in a dynamic live experience.
Tickets start at $58 and are available for purchase online or by calling State Theatre Guest Services at 732-246-SHOW (7469). State Theatre Guest Services, located at 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick NJ, is open by phone and email only, Tuesday through Friday from 11:00am to 5:00pm. For in-person purchases, Guest Services is open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00pm to 4:30pm. Additional ticket and transaction fees may apply.
STARRING:
* Kris Carrasco singing the songs of Angel
* Ruchir Khazanchi singing the songs of Benny
* Candice Woods singing the songs of Joanne
* Tommy Kaiser singing the songs of Mark
* Alex Lugo singing the songs of Maureen
* Jasiana Caraballo singing the songs of Mimi
* Will Hastreiter singing the songs of Roger
* Terrance Johnson singing the songs of Tom Collins
ENSEMBLE: Chachi Delgado • Joseph DePietro • Rodney McKinner • Nisa Mercado • Neema Muteti
State Theatre New Jersey, a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, celebrated its 100th Anniversary after major renovations in December 2021. Originally built as a silent film and vaudeville palace, State Theatre's historic significance was honored when PBS featured it in its documentary series, Treasures of New Jersey. Having played a significant role in revitalizing New Brunswick—crowned "Jersey's Best Destination of the Year" for 2025 by Jersey's Best magazine—State Theatre resides in the heart of the city's arts district.
Today, State Theatre is the largest performing arts center in Central New Jersey and has welcomed more than six and a half million people through its doors since reopening as a nonprofit performing arts center in 1988. State Theatre New Jersey is a cornerstone of the cultural vitality of Middlesex County and averages a total economic impact on New Brunswick and the surrounding area of more than $18 million a year. The mainstage programs have included high-caliber artists such as Diana Ross, Tom Jones, Kevin Hart, Ringo Starr, Melissa Etheridge, John Leguizamo, Harry Connick, Jr., Peter Frampton, and Leanne Morgan. Program offerings include Broadway, orchestra, family, dance, comedy, rock/pop, jazz, Performances for Schools, and Sensory-Friendly Performances.
State Theatre New Jersey's programs are made possible by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. Grant funding has been provided by the Middlesex County Board of County Commissioners through a grant award from the Middlesex County Cultural and Arts Trust Fund. For information on events, go to MiddlesexCountyCulture.com.
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