‘Rent’ in the West End: first look at the cast with Gaten Matarazzo as Mark

London — BroadwayWorld has revealed the first look at the cast of the new West End production of the musical “Rent,” with “Stranger Things” star Gaten Matarazzo as Mark Cohen. The company photo shows the principal cast just days after previews began at London’s Tom Stoppard Theatre.

Matarazzo, known for playing Dustin in the Netflix series, makes his West End debut with this production. On Broadway he has been seen in “Sweeney Todd,” “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Godspell.” He is joined by Travis Ross as Roger, Alexa Lopez as Mimi, Billy Nevers as Collins, Lazy Violet as Maureen, Olivier nominee Danielle Fiamanya as Joanne, Jeevan Braich as Angel and Joaquin Pedro Valdes as Benny.

Direction is by Luke Sheppard, winner of the WhatsOnStage and Olivier awards (for “Paddington”), who reinterprets for London his 2020 production at Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre, with choreography by Tom Jackson Greaves. The music, lyrics and book of “Rent” are by Jonathan Larson, with the London production led by Chris Harper Productions and Sonia Friedman Productions in collaboration with Hope Mill Theatre.

Previews began on September 26, the official opening is on October 8, while the limited season — according to announcements in British theatre media — has already been extended to March 27, 2027. The return of “Rent” to the West End comes in the 30th anniversary year of the premiere of the Tony- and Pulitzer-winning musical, which remains one of the most beloved titles in world musical theatre.