JAMESTOWN – Big Time Productions and Odyssey Events Inc. and 59LucyLane.com are presenting the musical RENT at The Spire Theater in May.

Rent is a rock musical with music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson based on Giacomo Puccini’s opera La Boheme. It tells the story of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York City’s lower east side in the thriving days of Bohemian Alphabet City, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. “RENT” is a multi-award winning musical including a Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Book, and Best Score and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical.

This is a professional theater production and a community event in collaboration with superb local performers and Evergreen Health Services (formerly AIDS Community Services) to raise awareness for this organization and the residents in the community living with HIV. In addition, the impact of the message of love in this musical is one in which all people can relate and will have a large presence in the community.

Big Time Productions is partnering with a new artistic director, Adam Owens, a Jamestown native, who has extensive experience and training in all facets of the performing arts. Rehearsals are well underway and the cast, crew and producers are thrilled to share this production with the community. The Spire Theater strives to promote diversity, camaraderie, and artistic inspiration, also providing an outlet for local performers to showcase their talents as well as contributing to the vibrant arts and entertainment of the community.

The production dates are May 9, 10, 15, and 17 at 8 p.m. with a special late-night showing May 16 at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 presale and $20 at the door. Special early-bird promotional tickets are available now for $15 until Friday May 2 online at www.spiretheater.org or at the Labyrinth Press Company Cafe. For more information call 450-7357 or visit www.spiretheater.org.