Rent: Ren�e Elise Goldsberry to play Mimi from 16 Jun

Ren�e Elise Goldsberry is to play the role of 'Mimi' in the Broadway musical Rent, winner of the 1996 Tony for Best Musical. The musical opened at the Nederlander Theatre on 29 Sep 1996, where it will play its final performance on 4 Sep 2008.

Goldsberry, two-time Emmy and NAACP Image award nominee for her four year long role as lawyer Evangeline Williamson on �One Life To Live,� joins the cast of Rent on 16 Jun 2008, assuming the role of 'Mimi' from Tamyra Gray, who plays his final performance on 15 Jun 2008.

Goldsberry created the role of Nettie in 'The Color Purple' on Broadway, won accolades (including New York Magazines' Distinguished Performance Award) for Silvia in Two Gentlemen of Verona (Shakespeare in the Park), and starred as adult Nala in The Lion King on Broadway.

Rent, written by Jonathan Larson and directed by Michael Greif, opened at Broadway�s Nederlander Theatre following a sold out, extended limited engagement at's B off-Broadway�s New York Theatre Workshop.

The musical went on to win every major best musical award, including the Tony Award, New York Drama Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, and the Outer Critics Circle Award. Additionally, Rent is one of only seven musicals to win the Pulitzer Prize for drama.

In all Rent won four Tony Awards, six Drama Desk Awards, two Theatre World Awards, and Obie Awards for its creator, director, and entire cast.

Rent tells the story of a group of young artists struggling in New York�s East Village in the early 1990�s and the obstacles they face, including AIDS, homelessness, poverty, lack of healthcare, and homophobia.

Directed by Michael Greif and choreographed by Marlies Yearby, Rent currently features Adam Kantor (Mark Cohen), Will Chase (Roger Davis), Troy Horne (Collins), Justin Johnston (Angel), Nicolette Hart (Maureen), Tonya Dixon (Joanne), Rodney Hicks (Benny), Michael McElroy (Tom), Kenna J. Ramsey (Joanne) and Tamyra Gray (Mimi).

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