Thanks! Silly Joel pays the RENT

Thanks to everyone who came out for “Silly Joel Pays the RENT” at The Plaza on Wednesday night, a fundraiser to pay for professional-quality sound equipment for the Springfield Theatre Centre’s production of RENT. Illinois’ #1 Billy Joel cover band, Silly Joel, treated the crowd to a host of Billy Joel favorites (and others) and also invited the cast of RENT up to the front to sing the RENT anthem “Seasons of Love”, fronted by Natalie Randall and Sean Michael Butler. In true pass-the-hat style, cast members encouraged audience members to drop their $1s, $5s, $10s, and $20s into the box to contribute toward the cause. Thanks to The Plaza for providing the location and for generously contributing the first $250 toward the effort. In total, $834.47 was raised, which will go a long way toward the rental of equipment that will improve the experience of our production for all audience members. Thanks, everyone!

Cast & Staff of STC's RENT

RENT will be performed at Hoogland Center for the Arts February 12-14 & 19-21, 2010.

CAST:

Mark Cohen – Michael Jones

Roger Davis – Ralph Shank

Tom Collins – Sean Michael Butler

Benjamin Coffin III – Kellen Fant

Angel Dumott Shunard – Grant Estes

Mimi Márquez – Anna Bussing

Joanne Jefferson – Natalie Randall

Maureen Johnson – Mary Kate Smith

Male Ensemble – Jacob Deters, Keith Mallory, John Sivak, Kelly Trier, Lawrence Valdez

Female Ensemble – Becky Bertram, Samantha Gaines, Tia Lang, Lindsey Ninmer

STAFF:

Director – Carly Shank

Assistant Director – Mac Warren

Vocal Director – Christie Lazarides

Accompanist/Musical Director – Dave Barnes

Choreographer – Elizabeth Cheney

Artistic Associate – Craig Williams II

Stage Manager – Nicole Sylvester

Set Designer – Todd Schumacher

Costume Designer – Julianne Shoopman

Lighting Designer – Scott Madaski

Assistant Lighting Designer/Board Operator – Adam Grogan

Sound – Daniel Shelton

Props Coordinator – Jen Wallner

Producer – Pam Brown