According to Broadwayworld.com, rehearsals are well under way for the musical, which will debut this weekend. On the right, you can see Neil Patrick Harris and stars Vanessa Hudgens and Aaron Tveit in what looks to be a "series" sound mixing moment. (Head over to Broadway World's gallery to see more first look shots at "Rent" practice!)
The cast includes Pussycat Doll and "Dancing with the Stars" alumae Nicole Scherzinger as Maureen and Vanessa in the role of Mimi. Vanessa told MTV News in April that she thanks her bond with NPH on the set of her 2011 flick "Beastly" for her casting. "He texted me, saying, ‘Do you like “Rent”?’” she recalled of the casting process. "And I was thinking he was going to ask me to see it with him, so I’m like, 'Yeah, I love "Rent"!'"Other cast members include Aaron as Roger; Tracie Thoms as Joanne (yup third time's a charm: Tracie has played this role on Broadway and on the big screen); Wayne Brady as Tom Collins; and Collins Pennie ("Fame") as Bennie.
