In Lisbon, RENT will take place from 21 May to 28 June 2026 at the Auditório dos Oceanos, Casino Lisboa. The premiere in Portugal’s second city is scheduled for 2 July, with performances running until 4 July at the Coliseu Porto Ageas.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: João Frade;

RENT is widely regarded as one of the most important and transformative productions in Broadway history. Inspired by Puccini’s opera “La Bohème” (1896), it brought musical theatre closer to audiences with a romantic and tragic story whose urban language, aesthetic and soundtrack leave no one indifferent.

Jonathan Larson’s work marked a turning point in musical theatre by giving voice to the urban reality of New York on the eve of the new millennium, addressing themes such as love, friendship, diversity and the struggle for survival.

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: João Frade;

On stage, RENT follows a year in the lives of a group of New York friends and artists who, while pursuing their dreams, face emotional, financial (including paying the rent) and health challenges. Music also takes on the role of a central character, travelling from rock to gospel and giving rhythm and voice to the emotions experienced on stage.

Jonathan Larson tragically passed away before the premiere and never witnessed the success of RENT, which opened in 1996 and ran on Broadway for more than twelve years, revolutionising audiences and the performing arts. The show also gave rise to global hits such as “Seasons of Love” and “Take Me or Leave Me.”

Credits: Supplied Image; Author: João Frade;

Michael Greif, director of the original production, has closely followed all RENT performances since its debut and once again collaborates with MTL on this Portuguese version, produced by Martim Galamba. The cast includes Bruno Huca, Carlos Martins, Dennis Correia, Diogo Leite, Gonçalo Martins, Inês Ramos, Margarida Martins, Marta Lys, Marta Mota, Nuno Martins, Pedro Fontes, Pedro Paz, Rafaela Monteiro, Sara Claro and Sissi Martins.

In both Lisbon and Porto, the show will be performed and sung entirely in Portuguese, with live music. Sissi Martins directs the Portuguese adaptation of RENT which, following the great success of its initial short run, returns to the stage in 2026 in a production faithful to the original Broadway version.

“How do you measure, measure a year?” is the motto for the return of RENT, which will be on stage in Lisbon and Porto in less than a year.

Tickets on sale at ticketline.pt and usual points of sale.