Rent: Tracie Thoms to play 'Joanne'

Variety reports that Tracie Thoms, who played 'Joanne' in the 2005 movie adaptation of the musical Rent, is to reprise the role on Broadway from 26 Jul 2008, remaining with the show through to it's final performance 7 Sep 2008 - though tickets are currently only on sale through to 6 Sep 2008.

Thoms made her Broadway debut in 'Drowning Crow' (2004). Off-Broadway she has appeared in 'The Exonerated.' Thoms plays narcotics detective 'Kat Miller' on the CBS series "Cold Case." Her film credits also include 'Grindhouse,' 'The Devil Wears Prada')

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, currently features Adam Kantor (Mark Cohen), Will Chase (Roger Davis), Justin Johnston (Angel), Eden Espinosa (Maureen), Tonya Dixon (Joanne), Rodney Hicks (Benny), Michael McElroy (Collins), Merle Dandridge (Joanne) and Ren�e Elise Goldsberry (Mimi).

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