If you asked nearly any adult to name a list of musicals, you can almost be assured that RENT will be included somewhere on that list. RENT is without a doubt one of the most well-known musicals of the present day, and the classic rock opera is making its way to the Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium on February 27th, 2026, at 7:30pm.
Clear your schedules and cancel those plans for a Friday late-night rager at your student rental apartment, because you’re not going to want to miss this. If you’re a RENT die-hard, RENT in Concert is a new reimagining of familiar, beloved music. If you’ve never seen RENT before, RENT in Concert is the perfect opportunity to see what it’s all about.
RENT in Concert is a New Take on the Classic
RENT in Concert brings the best of the award-winning musical to the stage of Templeton-Blackburn. Even if you’re familiar with the die-hard classic like “La Vie Boheme” or the ever-iconic “Seasons of Love,” RENT in Concert makes them sound brand new with the helpful backing of a full symphonic orchestra behind the lyrics and singing.
The sound of the National Symphony Orchestra really accentuates even the numbers that are often overshadowed by their wildly popular counterparts. The key difference between this version and the classic musical is that RENT in Concert is a staged reading and doesn’t include elaborate costuming, sets, or props of any kind. If you’ve never seen RENT before, it’s still a great place to jump in, but longtime fans will definitely have an advantage here.
Get Out of Your Rental Home and Support the Performing Arts
RENT in Concert is an excellent excuse to get out of your off-campus apartment in uptown Athens. Let’s face it: it’s the end of February, it is still winter, and it’s blisteringly cold. Would you rather be stuck outside, crawling from bar to bar with friends while shivering, or would you rather be inside a heated auditorium seeing a professional performance of a beloved musical? To us, the answer seems pretty easy.
RENT in Concert takes the stage on February 27th, 2026, at 7:30pm. Ticketing is a standard $35/person, and they can be purchased online via Ohio University’s ticketing service partner.