'Starring Buffalo's RENT In Concert' plays May 9 at Shea's Buffalo Theatre

Ben Jackson Walker, Alyssa Wray & Kennedy Kanagawa Lead ‘Starring Buffalo’s RENT’

Shea’s Performing Arts Center press release & graphic

Casting has been announced and tickets are on sale for “Starring Buffalo’s RENT In Concert,” May 9 at the historic Shea’s Buffalo Theater in downtown Buffalo. The show will feature a principal cast of Broadway and Buffalo’s best, alongside the Staring Buffalo community chorus. 

Leading the cast are Drama Desk Award-Nominee Kennedy Kanagawa (“Into the Woods”) as Mark, Broadway’s Ben Jackson Walker (“& Juliet”) as Roger, and “American Idol’s” Alyssa Wray as Mimi. Joining them are Buffalo stars George L. Brown (“Once On This Island” tour), Jake Hayes, Alexandra McArthur, Kayla McSorley (NCL’s “Six”), Blaise Mercedes, Jennifer Mysliwy, Joe Russi and Josh Wilde. 

Nearly 300 people auditioned, and 130 Western New Yorkers have been selected for the Starring Buffalo community chorus. They will be joined by professional and local student dancers.

“RENT,” the pop culture phenomenon about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today, will be performed in Starring Buffalo’s signature staged concert format. Direction is by Drew Fornarola, with music direction by Karen Saxon, choreography by Chanon Judson, and stage management by Ally Hasselback. Emily Glick and Michael Russo are line producers. 

“We are overwhelmed by the community interest in performing ‘RENT’ at Shea’s,” said Fornarola, Starring Buffalo’s artistic director. “The talent in our community is incredible, and we are excited to be able to feature so many incredible singers from so many different walks of life alongside Broadway’s best in Buffalo’s greatest theater.” 

Tickets begin at $35 and are available at Shea’s box office at 650 Main St., Buffalo, and online at www.sheas.org/performances/starring-buffalo-rent-in-concert. For additional information, visit StarringBuffalo.org.

More about Starring Buffalo

Starring Buffalo offers audiences unrivaled access to the world’s greatest theater artists, while providing Western New York students the chance to learn from, work alongside, and be inspired in both master class and concert environments. Recent guest artists have included Tony Award-winner Matt Doyle (“Company”), Tony Award nominee Josh Young (“Jesus Christ Superstar”), Tony Award nominee Sidney DuPont (“Paradise Square”), Wray, Emily Koch (“Waitress”) and Lindsey Nicole Chambers (“Kinky Boots”).