Rent Returns: New Adaptation of Landmark Musical to Premiere in Madrid in 2026
A reimagined production of Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking musical, Rent, is set to grace the stage at the Fernán Gómez Centro Cultural de la Villa’s Sala Guirau in Madrid, running from December 23, 2025, to January 25, 2026.This new version, helmed by José luis Sixto and Adrián Perea, promises to bridge the gap between the show’s original 1990s New York setting and the challenges of the 21st century.
This isn’t simply a revival, but a dialog with modern audiences, exploring how the themes that resonated in the 1990s – gentrification, community resilience, public health crises, and the power of art – continue to hold relevance today.
Larson’s Rent holds a unique place in theatrical history. The author tragically passed away on January 25, 1996, the day before the show’s first preview, transforming his work into a poignant legacy. Its authenticity struck a chord with audiences, leading to a remarkable twelve-year run on Broadway, solidifying its status as one of the longest-running musicals in history.
Inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Bohème, Rent chronicles a year in the lives of a group of young artists navigating precarity, identity, love, and friendship against the backdrop of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. characters like Mark, Roger, Mimi, Angel, Collins, Maureen, and Joanne embody a spirit of rebellion and urgency, delivering a message that remains powerfully global: to measure life in love.
This adaptation, spearheaded by Sixto and Perea, aims to revisit the material with a fresh viewpoint.”More than a tribute,this staging dialogues with the contemporary public,” the production team stated,”reminding them that the questions which upset them in the 1990s still resonate today.”
The creative team behind the production is extensive, including César Belda as musical director, Analía González as choreographer, and Juan Sebastián Domínguez handling scenography and costume design. Additional key personnel include lighting designer Juanjo Llorens, video scene creator Elvira Ruiz Zurita, and dramaturg Andrea Rodríguez.Rocío Bilbao serves as the director of production and executive producer, with Mónica Huerta managing production logistics.
The performance is expected to run for approximately one hour and thirty minutes and is recommended for all audiences.
Artistic Team:
- Book, Lyrics & Original Music: Jonathan Larson
- Version & Dramaturgy: José Luis Sixto & Adrián Perea
- Artistic Direction, Advancement & Adaptation: José Luis Sixto
- Musical Direction, Arrangements & Adaptation: César Belda
- Choreography: Analía González
- Scenography & Costume Design: Juan Sebastián Domínguez
- Lighting Design: Juanjo Llorens
- Video scene: Elvira Ruiz Zurita
- Dramaturgy & Adaptation: Adrián Perea
- Word Adaptation: Andrea Rodríguez
- Assistant Direction: Nacho Redondo
- Directorate of production & Executive Production: Rocío Bilbao
- production Manager: Mónica Huerta
- Press manager: María Díaz
- Poster Design: María Lacartelera
- Website Design & Social Networks: My dirkene
- Production: Outcast productions
This new production of Rent promises to be a powerful and timely exploration of enduring themes, offering a fresh perspective on a beloved musical for a new generation.
