A wave of nostalgia hit fans as Idina Menzel was joined by some familiar faces at the premiere of “Redwood” on Thursday, February 13. The occasion marked a special reunion of the original 1996 Broadway production of Rent, as they gathered to support Menzel’s new show. Menzel, who portrayed Maureen in the original production, was surrounded by her fellow cast members Anthony Rapp (Mark), Wilson Jermaine Heredia (Angel), and Fredi Walker (Joanne) on this memorable night.
The atmosphere was electric as the group posed for photos outside the Nederlander Theatre alongside Rent’s original director, Michael Greif, while Menzel was busy preparing for her role as Jesse in “Redwood.” A shoutout from the “Redwood” Instagram account captured the moment with a video of the reunion, labeling them as “The original company of Rent.”
“Redwood” unfolds the story of Jesse, a woman whose life takes a transformative turn following a significant event, leading her to the majestic redwoods of Northern California. A chance encounter and a leap of faith set the stage for a life-altering journey, as described in the official synopsis.
The red carpet reunion brought back memories of the cast’s previous gathering at Fox’s live television production of Rent in 2019, where they came together for a special encore performance of “Seasons of Love.” Alongside Rapp, Heredia, Walker, and Menzel, original cast members Adam Pascal (Roger), Daphne Rubin-Vega (Mimi), Jesse L. Martin (Tom Collins), Taye Diggs (Benny), as well as ensemble members Gilles Chiasson, Rodney Hicks, and Timothy Britten Parker, united for this unforgettable moment.
Rent, inspired by the opera “La Boheme,” tells the poignant tale of a group of artists navigating the challenges of the HIV/AIDS crisis in 1989. The legacy of creator Jonathan Larson lives on through this groundbreaking production, which premiered off-Broadway the day after Larson’s untimely passing on January 25, 1996, before making its mark on Broadway on April 29, 1996, and captivating audiences for 12 years with 5,123 performances until its final curtain on September 7, 2008.
For those who can’t get enough of the latest updates and exclusive stories, signing up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter is the key to staying connected with all the exciting news and features PEOPLE has to offer. In addition to the numerous accolades received, including the 1996 Tony Award for Best Musical and the 1996 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Rent continues to hold a special place in the hearts of fans worldwide.
