Original cast member Gwen Stewart who created several roles in the Broadway musical Rent, including introducing the solo vocals for the show’s central theme, 'Seasons of Love,' is to return to the musical on 29 Apr 2007, the musical’s 11th anniversary on Broadway.

Ms. Stewart will reprise her original roles (Mrs. Jefferson/woman with bags/and others) through to the 27 May 2007. Her other Broadway credits include Big River (2003 revival), Truly Blessed (1990) and tarmites (1989).

The Broadway musical Rent is currently taking bookings through to 30 Sep 2007 at the Nederlander Theatre.

Rent, written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, opened at Broadway’s Nederlander Theatre, on 29 Apr 1996 following a sold out, extended limited engagement at off-Broadway’s New York Theatre Workshop.

The musical went on to win four Tony Awards (Best Musical, Book, Original Score and Featured Actor in a Musical) as well as the Pulitzer Prize for drama. Rent is the seventh longest running show in Broadway history.

Rent is the story of Le Boheme retold about poor New Yorkers on Lower East Side with a different ending.

The musical, directed Michael Greif and choreographed by Marlies Yearby, features Nicolette Hart (Maureen), Tonya Dixon (Joanne), D'Monroe (Benny), Christopher J. Hanke (Mark), Troy Horne (Collins), Tim Howar (Roger), Justin Johnston (Angel), and Jaime Lee Kirchner (Mimi).

In a recent review of the show New York Theatre Guide said "It remains fresh for new audiences through its sheer exuberance and its longer running themes of tolerance and understanding."

The show has set design by Paul Clay, costumes by Angela Wendt and lighting by Blake Burba.