Controversial '90s Rock Musical Is Getting a Special Revival 30 Years Later

Gaten Matarazzois heading from Stranger Thingsto the stage.

The Dustin Henderson actor is set to take the lead in the upcoming revival of Rent, playing in London’s West End beginning September 2026.

Matarazzo will take the role of Mark Cohen, the central character of the rock musical. Created by American playwright and composer Jonathan Larson, Rent centers on a group of young artists living in New York City’s East Village as they navigate everyday life during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Despite facing a few controversies, including reports of unauthentic portrayals of the 1990s AIDS crisis and plagiarism, Rent has received critical acclaim, earning four Tony Awards and the prestigious Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

The show will open at the Duke of York’s Theatre on Sept. 26, 2026, and is currently scheduled to run through Feb. 13, 2027. The London revival will be directed by Luke Sheppard, who is best known for the award-winning & Juliet, and previously brought Rent back to U.K. theaters with a socially-distanced run at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre in 2020.

“We are absolutely delighted to be bringing Rent back to the West End in this bold new production,” said producers Chris Harper and Sonia Friedman. “Jonathan Larson’s musical remains as powerful and resonant as ever, and Luke has found a way to honor its legacy while making it feel thrillingly fresh for today’s audiences. We cannot wait to share this production and all that we have planned for it. It promises to be a truly special theatrical event.”

The revival is in honor of the musical’s 30th anniversary. Rent debuted on Jan. 26, 1996, with its opening preview performance taking place at the Off-Broadway New York Theatre Workshop. Shortly after, the production transferred to Broadway, opening on April 29, 1996, at the Nederlander Theatre.

The original Broadway cast included Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, Daphne Rubin-Vega, and Jesse L. Martin. Closing on Sept. 7, 2008, Rent became one of the longest-running shows on Broadway, running for 12 years. During that time, the show grossed over $280 million.

Additional casting for the West End production is yet to be announced.

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