Theo Ubique's Rent is paid for two more weeks. The company's storefront production of Jonathan Larson's 1996 musical, which sold out its initial run through May 2 within days of its opening last month, will be able to extend for two weeks, through May 15.
On Friday, March 25, Theo Ubique put tickets on sale for an extension through May 29. But the company hadn't cleared that extension with Rent's licensing company, Music Theatre International, and last Monday had to rescind those dates because MTI gave precedence to a forthcoming non-Equity touring production, even though said touring production hasn't even announced dates yet.
The conflict struck many (including myself) as absurdly unreasonable, even if Theo Ubique bungled by putting tickets on sale before securing rights. A spokesperson for the theater now says the matter came to the attention of Broadway producer Kevin McCollum, who ultimately commands the rights to Rent; McCollum, the theater says, reached out personally to waive the restriction. Because some cast members had made new commitments in the interim, though, the show is only able to extend through the 15th. Tickets for the eight additional performances are on sale now.
Also announced today: The House Theatre of Chicago is again extending its clever, immersive puzzle-game The Last Defender, adding 86 new performance times through June 12.