RENT hits the road: UH Mānoa’s acclaimed production takes the stage at Kauaʻi CC

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Theatre & Dance is taking its celebrated production of RENT to Kauaʻi. Following a sold-out run at Kennedy Theatre earlier this year, the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical will be performed at Kauaʻi Community College’s Performing Arts Center, August 8–10.

Directed by Joshua “Baba” Tavares, an assistant professor of acting at UH Mānoa and former cast member in the 20th Anniversary National Tour of RENT, the production was praised for its raw emotional power, dynamic staging and local resonance.

“We are so excited to take our show to Kauaʻi and connect with our Kauaʻi ʻohana in this way,” said Tavares.

The touring team includes more than 40 cast and crew members, including UH Mānoa students, faculty, staff, musicians and technicians, representing a wide range of UH Mānoa programs, including theatre and dance, psychology, music, law, cinematic arts, Hawaiian language and more.

As part of the visit, the team will offer a free acting workshop to share and engage Kauaʻi’s community of storytellers and artists. The workshop will take place on Saturday, August 9 – more information to come. 

The UH Mānoa production earned critical acclaim in March, with BroadwayWorld calling it “a soaring and heartfelt production” blending “aloha, heartbreak, queer joy…and unbridled energy of young people united for justice and love.”

Tavares emphasized the show’s continued relevance. “Even though the show is set in a specific time, its challenges feel just as relevant today, especially here in Hawaiʻi. Homelessness, gentrification, mental health struggles and finding a way forward after a devastating disease––are we talking about the ’80s and ’90s, or are we talking about today?”

He added, “RENT isn’t just about struggle––it’s about hope, tolerance, human rights and above all, aloha. It’s about love.”

The Kauaʻi performances mark the production’s first appearance outside of Oʻahu, offering new audiences a chance to experience one of the most impactful works in modern musical theatre, through a uniquely Hawaiʻi lens. 

Performances will take place at the newly reopened Kauaʻi CC Performing Arts Center, which reopened in April 2024 after closing due to the pandemic and has major upgrades to its lighting, sound and backstage systems. The venue is once again a key cultural hub under new manager Gregory von Hausch.

Loosely inspired by Puccini’s La Bohème, RENT follows a group of struggling young artists in 1990s New York City navigating love, loss, identity, and survival during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Since its 1996 Broadway debut, Jonathan Larson’s groundbreaking musical has become a global cultural phenomenon.

Performance and ticket information

Performance dates: August 8–10, 2025
Time:  7–9 p.m., Friday and Saturday; 1:30-3:30 p.m. Sunday
Location: Kauai CC Performing Arts Center
Tickets: Prices range from $15-$60. Purchase tickets online.

For general inquiries, email greg3512@hawaii.edu or call (808) 245-8352.

Advisories: mature themes including substance abuse, strong language, sexuality, self-harm, not recommended for children. 

RENT is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. 

Support and sponsorship opportunities 

This partnership between UH Mānoa and Kauaʻi CC aims to build a lasting bridge through the performing arts. Financial support is welcome to offset travel and production costs. To support the tour or inquire about sponsorships, contact Joshua Tavares at tavares8@hawaii.edu.